Navigating Maui’s most popular roadtrip can be intimidating. There are a million and one ways to structure this route, and whether it’s your first time on Road to Hana or your fifth, it’s always nice to incorporate other’s recommendations. I’ll share with you the moments that helped make my Road to Hana experience an unforgettable one.
Getting Started
Plan Ahead:
Designate a driver (or two) who will be comfortable navigating the road. Between the steep, winding roads and wet conditions, Road to Hana is no joke. I once took charge on driving myself and four friends and it’s no cake-walk, but absolutely doable. There’s definitely an art to driving here; you can’t go too fast (sharp cliffs), but you can’t go too slow (locals will honk at you). After getting to Hana, it’s nice to switch drivers if someone is willing to take over. Designate someone who can remain calm and drive smoothly to eliminate stress and motion sickness.
I highly recommend renting a Jeep for Road to Hana. There’s nothing as immersive as driving through Hawaii with the top down (just make sure to keep the top in the trunk for the occasional rain shower). As you can imagine, Jeeps are one of the most popularly rented vehicles in Hawaii, so if you plan to rent one, reserve one well in advance.
If you are going to do the Road to Hana – do it well. You will have a much better experience if you start early. Plan to begin your journey (Paia is where it starts) no later than 8am. As the day goes on, more traffic will build up on the narrow roads, and parking lots for hikes and beaches will overflow. Do yourself a favor and set that 5am alarm.
Packing List:
Every good road-trip begins with a packing list. The goal is to never compromise the quality of your trip by forgetting something you could have packed… Let’s hit the basics:
- Case of water (for more eco-friendly option; large, reusable water bottles) – there aren’t many convenicence stores along the Road to Hana. With all the hiking and exploring, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared to hydrate.
- Snacks – there will be food stands along the way, but it’s not convenient to stop for food or water whenever the urge arises. Pack some light snacks to hold you over in between stops.
- Sneakers and beach shoes – if you’re like me, you’re tempted to wear some stylish footwear to your Road to Hana adventure – don’t. Wear a pair of sneakers you don’t mind getting wet along the hiking trails and also a pair of flip flops or sandals for the beach. A lot of Road to Hana is wet and misty, so leave those white tennis shoes at home! (Bonus: bring some plastic bags to wrap your wet/muddy shoes in).
- Bathing suit – you’ll have a couple opportunities to stop at beaches along the way, so don’t forget to bring your suit. I like to wear mine under my clothes for an easy transition (bathrooms are not always plentiful for changing).
- Towels – one way or another, you will get wet!
- Sunscreen – most of Road to Hana (in my experience) is damp and cloudy, but if you plan to stop at any beaches, it’s nice to have.
- Phone charger – mobile device GPS’s can easily drain your phone battery, not to mention, you will probably be taking pictures and videos the entire way. Plan to bring a car/portable charger so you’re not caught blindly navigating through Maui. If you want to be certain you won’t get lost, bring a paper map. Cell reception is not strong out there…
- Bug spray – the rainforest conditions attract plenty of bugs. It’s always nice to have repellent on hand to keep those pesky biters away.
- Motion sickness medicine – if you are prone to getting carsick, bring some motion sickness medicine. The roads are very steep and winding, easily causing discomfort to backseat passengers.
- Full tank of gas – fill up your tank at a gas station BEFORE the town of Paia (where Road to Hana starts). They know to hike up the prices here, so plan ahead.
Recommended Stops (In Order)
I highly encourage you to research other Road to Hana stops (as there are so many), but I have now driven Road to Hana twice and here are the places I thought were the most unique, must-see’s:
Twin Falls Trail – This hiking trail is located about 20 minutes into the road trip and is the first waterfall stop. It is a friendly hike for all levels, however be aware the trail is usually wet, so be cautious. You can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to hours at this trail, depending how deep into the rainforest you want to go. Highlights include waterfalls, swimming, exotic flowers, wild banana trees, bathrooms and a great fruit stand. Trail signs will warn you of feral hogs, but I have yet to see one.
Aunt Sandy’s Banana Bread – if you are looking for the freshest, most authentic banana bread you’ve ever had, stop here! Aunt Sandy’s is a family-owned joint that bakes fresh bread every day. Even if you are not a banana bread fan, they offer many other tasty items including sandwiches and snow cones.
Hana Farms – this is a great stop for souvenirs and a snack. Hana farms features a 7-acre tropical farm, roadside stand, bakery and restaurant. Be sure to snap a selfie in front of the “Welcome to Hana” sign.
Honokalani Black Sand Beach – this famous, Maui beach is located inside Waianapanapa State Park about 2 hours into the Road to Hana. It’s a great spot to relax in the black sand and take a short hike around the cliffs to catch a scenic view.
Town of Hana – Congrats you made it! Hana is a great place to grab a bite to eat before starting your 3 hour trek back. There are a few restaurants, food trucks and convenience stores to stock up before departing.
After You Get to Hana
Instead of turning around, continue to make your way around the island (trust me, it’s worth it). This will only add 20 more minutes to your trip than if you were to go back the way you came. This route features rolling hills, farmland, coastal and mountain views, and is absolutely stunning at sunset. Be prepared to let cattle and chickens (yes) cross the road. This was the most breathtaking part of the trip for me.
Road to Hana (stops included) will take around 10 – 12 hours, so plan accordingly. Like I mentioned, the earlier you start, the better. You don’t want to compete with the hundreds of other tourists clogging the road. If you are planning to conquer the Road to Hana, gear up, be safe and have fun!
