Distance from Kahului
~52 miles
Driving time (no stops)
~2.5 hours
With stops (realistic)
Full day
Bridges & turns
59 bridges · 620 turns
From P410
~1 hr to the start of the drive
The Right Way to Do It
The journey is the destination.
Most people make the mistake of treating the Road to Hana as a race to the town of Hana. They drive fast, make a few token stops, and arrive in Hana tired and wondering what the fuss was about. Don't do this.
The magic of the Road to Hana is everything along the way. The waterfalls you discover by following a sound through the trees. The fruit stands with banana bread still warm from the oven. The one-lane bridges where you have to stop and let the other car through, and then you both roll down your windows and chat for a minute. The bamboo forest that sounds like music when the wind moves through it.
Leave early. Stop everywhere that looks interesting. Bring snacks. Go slow. You'll see what we mean.
Andrew's Rule
"If you're thinking about stopping, stop. You can always keep driving. You can't always go back."
Depart from P410
Leave by 7:00–7:30 AM. Beat the crowds to Twin Falls and Wai'anapanapa. Return by late afternoon before it gets dark on the narrow road.
Car tip
Most rental car agreements cover the Hana Highway. Some exclude the "back road" around the south side of Haleakalā past Kipahulu — check yours before completing the loop.
Mile by Mile
The highlights along the way
Listed by highway mile marker (MM). The markers reset to zero where the road becomes Hwy 360 just past Pa'ia — so follow the green roadside mile markers, not your odometer. You won't hit every stop — pick your priorities.
MM
2
Twin Falls
The first waterfall stop — and one of the most accessible. A short walk from the road leads to two beautiful falls with swimming holes. Gets crowded by mid-morning, so go early. The fruit stand at the entrance has excellent smoothies.
Andrew's pick: Go first thing. Beat the crowds. The upper falls are better than the lower.
MM
9.5
Waikamoi Nature Trail
A short loop through a dense eucalyptus and bamboo forest. The path is shaded and cool — a welcome break from the car. You'll hear the bamboo clicking and rustling before you even get out. Watch for native birds.
Good for: 30-minute break · Bird watching · Shade
MM
10.5
Garden of Eden Arboretum ↗
A privately maintained botanical garden with stunning coastal views and lush tropical plantings. One of the best vantage points on the whole drive. Entry fee applies. Worth the stop — budget 45–60 minutes.
Coastal views · Tropical plants · Picnic area · Entry fee
MM
12
Kaumahina State Wayside Park
A free state park with one of the best roadside views of the entire Hana coast — looking back north toward the Ke'anae Peninsula jutting into the ocean. Restrooms, picnic tables, and a beautiful garden. Don't skip this one.
Free · Restrooms · Best coastal viewpoint on the drive
MM
16.8
Ke'anae Peninsula
Turn off the highway and drive down to the Ke'anae Peninsula — a flat lava shelf jutting into the ocean, covered in taro fields with a small, ancient Hawaiian village. Dramatic coastline, crashing surf, and a completely different atmosphere from the lush jungle above. One of the most unique landscapes on the drive.
Andrew's pick: Don't rush through this. Walk to the ocean. Watch the waves hit the lava.
MM
16.8
Aunty Sandy's Banana Bread
A legendary roadside stand in Ke'anae selling warm banana bread baked fresh throughout the day. Cash only. Often sells out by noon. Get one loaf for the road and one for the room — it won't survive the return trip.
Cash only · Sells out early · Don't skip it
MM
32
Wai'anapanapa State Park — Black Sand Beach
One of the most photographed places on Maui. A dramatic black sand beach formed from ancient lava, flanked by sea arches, blowholes, and a rugged coastline. The color contrast — black sand, turquoise water, green lava rock — is unlike anywhere else on the island. Advance reservation required (day-use permit via DLNR).
Advance reservation required · Day-use permit via DLNR · Book weeks ahead
MM
34
Hana Town
Hana is a small, remote town — one gas station, a few restaurants, a hotel. The town itself is quiet and lovely but not the point. The area around Hana has excellent hiking and beaches. Hamoa Beach (2 miles south) is considered one of the finest beaches in Hawaii. Fuel up here if continuing south.
Gas up here · Hamoa Beach nearby · Hana Farms has excellent food
If You Keep Going
Beyond Hana:
Kipahulu & the Loop
Continuing south from Hana past Kipahulu and around the south side of Haleakalā is the "back road" loop — a longer, rougher route that eventually connects back to Kihei via Upcountry Maui. Stunning scenery, but check your rental car agreement first.
If you continue to Kipahulu, Ohe'o Gulch (the "Seven Sacred Pools") is worth the stop — a series of tiered lava pools and waterfalls within Haleakalā National Park. Swimming depends on water levels and current park conditions — check before you go.
Rental car note: Many rental car companies prohibit their vehicles on the Piilani Highway past Kipahulu (the unpaved portion). This is the most direct back-road route. If your car agreement excludes it, return via Hana Highway the way you came.
Horses grazing below the Kaupo Gap in golden-hour light — Andrew's horse-loving sister took this one on the back-road loop.
Worth the Final Miles
James A. Michener described Hamoa as the kind of South Pacific beach that had somehow wandered into the North Pacific.
Two miles south of town — with Hana Bay's black-sand crescent waiting back in Hana itself.
Preparation
What to bring & plan for
Food & water
Pack a cooler. Once you're past Paia there are very few options for food or water — and what's there is limited and expensive. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and a lunch. Stop at the roadside fruit stands when you see them — they're excellent and cheap.
Cash
Many roadside stands and small vendors are cash-only. Hit an ATM the night before in Kihei. Even $40–60 in small bills goes a long way for banana bread, fresh fruit, and smoothies along the route.
Download offline maps
Cell service is spotty to nonexistent for much of the drive. Download an offline map of East Maui in Google Maps or Maps.me the night before. Know your key stops in advance so you don't miss them in the moment.
Bug spray
The jungle portions of the drive harbor mosquitoes. Waterfalls and shaded stream areas especially. Apply before hiking into any forested area. DEET works; so do plant-based alternatives.
Leave early, return before dark
The one-lane bridges and winding road are easy in daylight, stressful after dark. Aim to leave P410 by 7:00 AM and be back on the main road by 5:00 PM. The drive home from Hana to Kihei takes 2+ hours with no stops.
Wai'anapanapa reservation
Book your Wai'anapanapa day-use permit on the DLNR Hawaii website as soon as you know your dates. Without a permit, you cannot enter the parking area. This is a must-see stop — don't miss it because you forgot to book.
Ready to Go?
Start from P410.
End with stories.
P410's location in South Kihei puts you about an hour from the start of the Hana Highway — a perfect morning launch point. Book your stay and let us help you plan an unforgettable Maui trip.