Kahului to Hana (and back), Maui. Navigate 620 curves and 59 one-lane bridges through one of the most beautiful tropical drives on Earth. Waterfalls, black sand beaches, bamboo forests, and the real Hawaii.
The Road to Hana is not just a drive. It is a 105-kilometer corridor through one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet. In under three hours of actual driving, you cross through microclimates that shift from dry coastal scrub to dense tropical rainforest, past waterfalls that plunge off 60-meter cliffs into pools you can swim in, and along coastline where black volcanic sand meets turquoise Pacific water.
What makes the Hana Highway legendary is its engineering and its intensity. 620 curves. 59 bridges, most of them single-lane. The road was carved into the side of a volcanic mountain in 1926, and large sections have barely changed since. You are not cruising on a highway. You are threading through a living landscape that demands your full attention.
The real magic happens when you slow down. Most tourists try to cram the Road to Hana into a single exhausting day trip. By staying overnight in Hana, you get to experience the quiet side of Maui: empty black sand beaches at sunset, the Pipiwai Trail through a bamboo forest to a 120-meter waterfall, and the pace of life that the rest of Maui lost decades ago.
2 days, 620 curves, 59 bridges, and every waterfall in between.
Your last real town before Hana. Stock up on snacks and fill up your gas tank here. Grab breakfast at a local cafe. The surf shops and boutiques are worth a quick walk.
A curated 26-acre botanical garden at mile marker 10. Stunning views of Puohokamoa Falls. $20 entry fee. Less crowded early morning. Great for photography without the hiking commitment.
Easy roadside waterfall near mile marker 19. Short walk from the parking area. Go early to beat the crowds. The pool at the base is swimmable when conditions are calm, but check current safety advisories.
A quiet, authentic Hawaiian community. Visit Hasegawa General Store for souvenirs. Hana Bay Beach Park is calm and great for swimming. Do not rush through Hana. The pace here is intentionally slow.
Jet-black volcanic sand, sea caves, and blowholes. Reservation required (book at gowaianapanapa.com in advance). $5 per person, $10 parking. Go before 10am or after 3pm for fewer crowds. Wear water shoes on the sharp lava rock.
Hana has limited dining options. Braddah Hutts BBQ is a local favorite for lunch. For dinner, Hana Ranch Restaurant or your hotel. Pack snacks because restaurants close early.
Located past Hana in Haleakala National Park ($30 per vehicle, valid 3 days). Tiered freshwater pools cascading to the ocean. Check if pools are open before going. Flash floods close them frequently. The Pipiwai Trail starts here.
A 6.4 km (4-mile) round trip hike through a bamboo forest to a 120-meter waterfall. One of the best hikes in Hawaii. Muddy trail, bring sturdy shoes. Do not swim under the falls (rockfall danger). Start early to finish before afternoon rain.
Drive back the same way you came. The return drive offers completely different views and lighting. You will notice waterfalls and pullouts you missed on the way in. Take your time and stop at anything that caught your eye yesterday.
Grab lunch at a roadside stand on the drive back. Coconut Glen's near mile marker 27 has incredible dairy-free ice cream. Back in Kahului, Tin Roof is a must for local Hawaiian plate lunch.
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Real costs for the Road to Hana. RVs are not recommended due to narrow roads and single-lane bridges.
The Hana Highway has 59 single-lane bridges, 620 blind curves, and sections too narrow for two standard cars. RVs and large vehicles cannot safely navigate this route.
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The Hana Highway demands respect. These tips will keep you safe and save you hours.
The road has 620 curves and 59 one-lane bridges. Yield to oncoming traffic on single-lane bridges. The vehicle closest to the bridge does NOT always have the right of way.
Start driving by 7:00 AM from Kahului. Most day-trippers leave between 8-9 AM, and you will spend more time in traffic than enjoying stops if you leave late.
Many rental car companies prohibit driving the back road past Hana (south side via Piilani Highway). Check your rental agreement. Violations void your insurance and damage coverage.
Cell service is unreliable past Paia. Download offline maps and save your accommodation address before leaving. There is no cell service for long stretches between Huelo and Hana.
Flash floods can happen without warning, especially at waterfall pools and stream crossings. If you see brown water or rising water levels, move to higher ground immediately.
Pull into designated pullouts to let faster traffic pass. Do not stop in the road to take photos. Locals commute this highway daily and need to get through.
620 curves and 59 bridges (46 of them one-lane)
Built in 1926, largely unchanged since then
Speed limit: 10-25 mph on most sections
No gas stations between Paia and Hana
Best photography light: early morning heading east
Most rental companies prohibit driving the south side (Piilani Highway past Hana)
Damage on prohibited roads voids all insurance
A compact car is best. Large SUVs struggle on narrow sections.
Answers to the most common questions about driving the Road to Hana.
Staying overnight in Hana is strongly recommended. A day trip means 5+ hours of driving plus stops, leaving you exhausted and rushed. Overnight lets you enjoy Hana at sunset, visit Seven Sacred Pools and Pipiwai Trail the next morning, and drive back relaxed on Day 2.
Drive the Hana Highway (north side) both ways. The south side via Piilani Highway is unpaved in sections, has no guardrails on cliff edges, and most rental car companies specifically forbid it. Your insurance will be void if you damage the car on the back road.
Leave Kahului by 7:00 AM at the latest. This puts you ahead of the main tourist wave (8-9 AM) and gives you first access to popular stops like Waikamoi Falls and the Garden of Eden. Early departure also means better parking at every stop.
The must-stop spots are: Paia (breakfast and gas), Garden of Eden Arboretum (best views for least effort), Waikamoi Falls (easy waterfall), Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach (reserve ahead), and Pipiwai Trail/Seven Sacred Pools (best hike in Maui). Skip the overhyped roadside stands that charge for basic waterfall views.
No. The Hana Highway has single-lane bridges, blind curves, and sections too narrow for two standard cars to pass. RVs, large SUVs, and oversized vehicles will struggle and create dangerous situations. A compact car or midsize sedan is the best choice for this drive.
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