With outstanding natural scenery, the Road to Hana is one of the most iconic drives in Hawaii. It’s Maui’s most well-known and loved attraction and in my opinion, you haven’t truly been to Maui unless you’ve driven along (at least a portion of) the Road to Hana!
You may be overwhelmed with information when researching this famous driving route and unsure of the best Road to Hana stops that must be included on your itinerary. After recently completing the Road to Hana over two days, I decided to create a detailed guide to help simplify your planning process.
It is no exaggeration to say this is the one of the most beautiful drives I’ve ever done. With sweeping coastal vistas on one side and rainforests and waterfalls on the other, the diverse and tropical beauty of this drive will keep you in a state of awe from beginning to end. The Road to Hana really does live up to the hype.
Read on to find out which Road to Hana stops you can’t miss and more useful info to help you plan this bucket-list drive. I’ve included my insider tips on what to pack, what to expect at each stop, an interactive map showing the exact locations and the best organized Road to Hana tour.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in and discover how to plan an unforgettable Road to Hana driving itinerary!
31 Must-See Road to Hana Stops – Ultimate Guide to Driving the Road to Hana in 2025
Map of The Best Road to Hana Stops
The Best Road to Hana Day Tour
Duration: 10 hours
Included: Hotel pick up/drop off from major Maui hotels/condos, fresh fruit and tropical pastry breakfast, traditional Hawaiian BBQ lunch, light snacks throughout the day, all-day drinks service, experienced local guide.
Pros: Doing a tour saves you the effort of having to research every stop and drive the Road to Hana yourself. Leave the planning to the professionals and let a local expert guide you along this famous drive.
Cons: You’ll have less flexibility and control. When you do the drive yourself, you can take your time and spend longer at a place if you enjoy it, this also includes spending the night in a hotel along the way.
Recommended Tour: If you’re not up for braving the Road to Hana in a rental car, taking an organized tour is definitely the way to go. Sit back and take in the spectacular scenery as your local guide leads you on a leisurely tour of the Road to Hana stopping at the best waterfalls and lookouts along the way.
Making an early start, your guide will pick you up at your hotel to begin the full day journey along the Road to Hana. With a selection of fresh fruits and pastries for breakfast, your day will be off to a great start.
This small-group tour is a great choice because it includes most of the must-see Road to Hana stops that I mention in this guide while other tours might miss out on several attractions.
You will be taken to the best swimming spots, most scenic viewpoints, lush rainforests and enchanting waterfalls all while learning some fascinating facts about traditional Hawaiian life. This highly-rated Road to Hana day trip is the perfect solution for those who’d rather let the tour guide take the lead and enjoy a relaxed day of sightseeing.
If you’re planning to drive the Road to Hana independently or do any other sightseeing on the island then you’ll need to rent a car. The most convenient place to rent a car on Maui is at the Kahului Airport when you arrive on the island.
Whenever I travel, I use Rentalcars.com to find the best deals on car rentals. This website is great because it offers a wide selection of car rental providers with no hidden fees. See the link below to arrange your rental car before you arrive on Maui.
Choose one of the hotels in Hana below to break up your drive if you’re planning to spend two days on the Road to Hana.
Hana-Maui Resort – A stunning hotel in a prime location featuring great amenities and ocean views.
Heavenly Hana Paradise – Surrounded by rainforest, this comfortable accommodation will have you feeling at home after a long day of driving and chasing waterfalls.
Kailani Suite at Hana Kai Resort – These spacious apartments with balconies and ocean views are a popular choice for travellers completing the full loop of the Road to Hana.
A colourful roadside food stop on the Road to Hana
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Here are some of my tips to make this a successful journey for yourself while respecting other road users and avoiding fines along the way:
Leave early in the morning (around 7am) so that you have the full day to make all the desired Road to Hana stops without feeling rushed.
Go really slow around blind corners.
Do not overtake other cars at any point on this drive.
If you’re wanting to take things extra slow and enjoy the drive (as you should), feel free to pull over and let any locals who seem to be in a rush pass you.
Avoid suddenly stopping and parking on the side of the road (unless there is a designated area for cars to stop).
As tempting as it may be, do not stop on single lane bridges. If you see a nice waterfall, continue driving until you find adequate space to park the car and then walk back to the falls.
Fill up your gas tank before beginning the Road to Hana, there are no gas stations along this drive. Your last chance to fill up before the Road to Hana is in the small town of Paia. I would advise filling up your car at either Costco or Safeway as they are the cheapest places on Maui to buy gas.
The Road to Hana consists of over 600 sharp bends and 59 single-lane bridges. It goes without saying that you’ll need to use some extra caution when completing this drive. Using your common road sense goes a long way in a place like this.
After driving the Road to Hana twice, I would say it’s not dangerous if you’re a confident driver who doesn’t mind taking things slow and steady. There’s no need to rush it after all, as this drive is very much about enjoying the journey instead of arriving at a particular destination.
A typical one-lane bridge on the Road to Hana
How Long is the Road to Hana?
The official Hana Highway is 62 miles from its starting point of Kahului in central Maui to Kipahulu on the far east corner of the island.
This might sound like a short driving distance however the road is extremely narrow and winding which means you’ll be driving around 25mph for the duration of the journey.
The full Road to Hana extends past the town of Hana and loops around the backside of Haleakala, returning you to the beginning.
Magical views from start to finish
How Much Time Do You Need For Driving the Road to Hana?
Most people complete the drive from Kahului to Hana and back in a single day trip which takes anywhere between 6 – 8 hours. To get the most out of this world-class drive, I would highly recommend spending one night in the town of Hana to break it up.
This is the best way to experience the highlights that this journey has to offer without feeling rushed and burnt out by the end.
The other bonus about spending the night is that you’ll have the best beaches and waterfalls to yourself before the day trippers arrive. Imagine waking up and being among the first to explore the famous Black Sand Beach without the crowds and tour groups.
Doing the Road to Hana in two days will allow you to visit the amazing sites and attractions beyond the town of Hana such as Hamoa Beach, the Seven Sacred Pools, Waimoku Falls and more.
Stunning volcanic coastline of Waiʻānapanapa State Park
Road to Hana Itinerary for One and Two Days
While most people driving the Road to Hana turn around and drive straight back once they reach Hana, I would suggest completing the full loop by driving the “back road to Hana”. After spending the night in Hana, you will continue the drive through Kipahulu and all the way around to Kula.
This will allow you to further explore the remote beauty that east Maui has to offer. With breathtaking valleys, lush rainforests, and desert-like landscapes, you won’t regret taking an extra day to see this less touristy part of the island.
Keep in mind that the road becomes quite narrow and rough after Hana, in some sections it turns to gravel. If you’re renting a car, be sure to check with your rental car company that you will be covered for this section of the road.
For only one day on the Road to Hana, see the suggested one day itinerary below. For two days, consider leaving the Black Sand Beach for the morning of the second day to avoid crowds.
Twin Falls – One of the first Road to Hana stops
Road to Hana Audio-Guide
An awesome way to learn more about the stops on the Road to Hana as you go is by using an audio-guide on your phone. By downloading this app, you’ll get a fascinating insight into the history of Maui and a detailed explanation of each stop on the Road to Hana.
The cool thing about this app is that you’ll also get access to audio tours for other Maui attractions such as watching the sunset and stargazing on Haleakala, exploring the West Maui coastline and more!
