Most of the photos courtesy of Natalie Brown Photography. You're meant to treat the bridges similar to a 4 way stop in that whichever car reaches the bridge first has the right of way. They all flow directly into each other, but they have their own mile markers, which are crucial navigation points on this beautiful rainforest drive. . It will make you feel like your on a wild foreign adventure tho. 1-2 Week Maui Itinerary, Best Time to Visit: Best Time to Visit Maui. It only costs a donation and just remember you are off-the-beaten path Maui so dont expect much. Standing up and talking in front of others caused untold anxiety and could only be faced with a LARGE amount of dutch courage. RtH has too much traffic and has been widened and or paved in most scary sections. We hoped to stop at the garden of eden but it had a long line of cars so we kept going, we made a reservation at the black sand beach. MOUNT RUSHMORE SD Lets support local and sustainability. *Update when I was here May 2021 during a weekday around noon they were closed. Accidents are common and you may be more likely to have a small bump, brush a wall/banking, or get stuck in a ditch than regular highways, but you are less likely to actually injure yourself than on most roads in Hawaii. If you leave Paia by 8AM (and hey earlier is even better), I promise you that youll be ahead of 90% of the people planning to drive to Hana that day. We did the Road many years ago when it was more of a cow path. Click here to search for Maui vacation rentals for your trip. The Road to Hana is about 65 miles long, but don't let this relatively short distance fool you. There are 620 bends, many of them extremely sharp or hairpin turns, over the course of that 64 miles. And should you consider avoiding it for legitimate safety concerns? BIG ISLAND Its the quintessential Hawaiian mom and pop shop and its a great place to grab a cold drink and use the restroom. HALEAKALA HI If you get above 30 mph you are doing well! And if you just want more details (more! That said, of course DO take care while you are driving the Road to Hana! Hanawi Falls is located right after Mile Marker 24 on the Road to Hana. Need a specific number of bedrooms and bathrooms? Mile Marker 2 Hana Highway (360) Twin Falls. Speeding on the road to Hana is super dangerous and you might also have to deal with slow vehicles: spend one night in Hana in stead than rushing your visit! It sounds like its changed a lot since you drove it, sounds more fun like that! Read more about the backside of Hana Here! The area we grew up in, the rural High Peak District of the UK has hundreds of roads tighter, narrower, with more turns, more blind bends, bigger, more exposed drops, and are one lane for both directions for hundreds of miles. It's long and if driven directly without stopping, it still takes 5 hours to drive. Here they sell fresh fruits, smoothies and coffees all grown locally on their farm. Check out these Hana guides to assist you on your travels. Theyll give you the very best prices, you dont have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. The Road to Hana travels along the edge of many sheer cliffs. Check your rental agreement and insurance this activity may breach your contract as this area of Maui is usually forbidden by rental car companies. You have tried and that is all anyone can ask, but if its too much head back. Just my opinion, and I've done it several times. It connects the town of Hana with the city of Kahului. There's a great souvenir shop here, and also a wide selection of food varying from island style tacos to kalua pork to classic hotdogs or mac 'n cheese! This park contains one of. The backside road is VERY different from the front road and definitely worth experiencing. We intend to hike for 4 hours or so, and be back on the road at 11 or 11:30am, head to Koki Beach for some food truck food, and continue on to Wai'anapanapa for the black sand beach for a few hours, and be back on the road by 3pm to head back to OGG airport (with no stops) for 5pm to catch our 7pm flight. The tarmac is smooth and well maintained. Hanawi Falls. And then, most people will end the Road to Hana at Hana or Kipahulu. Hi Im Jess. And it truly is fabulous. The Surface is pretty well maintained but is often wet, slippery, and covered in jungle debris. Theyve got the largest selection of rentals youll find anywhere and you can easily filter to find exactly what youre looking for. Whether on your own or on a tour, you will see the gorgeous scenery of the rainforest, including . If you havent already, you will soon understand why thisis a perfect spot for them. Unsubscribe at any time. An out and back drive if you will. To compare this road to other highways of death such as the North Yungas Road in Bolivia or the Brazils Road of death is ridiculous. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Running from Kahului (or "where the airport is," as you might otherwise know it) to Hana on the east of Maui, the Hana Highway is a clifftop and a coastal road. Since you are voiding your contract the rental agency will not come to help. Important Note* The first one and a half hour stretch of the back road to Hana is usually forbidden by rental car companies and is stated in the rental car agreements. And most of all, for the most part, speeds, are LOW! Also, youre going to want to decide between staying on the south side or the west side so this post about Wailea vs Kaanapali is golden. Google has no clue what the drive times are on Maui and Hawaii in general. Other people revel in that sort of environment. Quite a few people continue on past Hana to the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park where youll find the Oheo Gulch (aka Seven Sacred Pools) and the Pipiwai Trailhead. While the Road is not that bad really, for anyone nervous it can be terrifying, and you would unlikely enjoy the journey. Also to note, the Hawaii tourism people do encourage you to do a Road to Hana tour because of the potential dangers of the Road to Hana. More! The Road to Hana (aka the Hana Highway) does not dead-end, so instead of turning around, it is possible to keep driving. Ive written a ton of posts that will help. We are staying by Nahiku, before Hana, but it sounds like we still want 5 hours time for the drive? Skip it. Before you embark on your adventure, you want to make sure you have a full tank of gas. Any single track bridges or narrow one-car sections are marked with Give-way signs and road marking. If you need proof, the best stops on the Road to Hana, which include vibrant beaches, lush rain forests, and cascading waterfalls, attract about 400,000 visitors each year. For full transparency,I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. Im just going to describe it as accurately as possible and relay my personal experiences so that you can make a decision that youre comfortable with. The Scariest thing I have ever had to confront in my lifeMy wedding speech! The bridge was completed in 1926 and is one of the 80 Hana . In ancient times most of the Hawaiians lived in this area opposed to current day West Maui or South Maui. By far the majority of people turn around once they reach Hana and drive the same road back to Paia. Its worth a stop if you have time. Below you'll find detailed information about the road to Hana, local tips, video, photos, & the latest updates. Expect scenic views, volcanic structures and the sweet taste of freedom. The first lookout on the left is Koki Beach overlook but you can skip this and continue to Hamoa Beach further ahead. This towns contains the Ulupalakua Ranch Store. Driving the Road to Hana means that you will be driving the Hana Highway. Is 3pm too late in the day to head out from Kanapali to Hana? the answer is an unequivocal YES! If you aren't planning on stopping at any of the waterfalls, trails, scenic viewpoints, etc., the drive straight from Lahaina to Hana will take a good 2.75-4 hours, depending on time of day. Also known as State Highway 340, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous roads in Maui. One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. Side Note: If youre looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. If the (only) road from Kaanapali to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Report inappropriate content dusty56438 Saint Cloud. Just indicate into one of the MANY pull-outs and let them by. Getting Around Maui without a Car Guide to Mauis Public transportation, What Food to Eat in Hawaii? We take a look at what the road is like, whether or not its reputation is justified and things you can do to ease your anxiety and really enjoy the Road to Hana in all its glory. Do this by picking up your trash and staying on the trail. Ahhh, the backwards Road to Hana. So if you're interested in the Road to Hana, then you may also be interested in these top things around Maui: Waianapanapa State Park Nakalele Blowhole Lahaina Banyan Court Hookipa Beach Maui Ocean Center (Aquarium of Hawaii) Iao Valley State Monument Haleakala National Park Right: Driving the back road to Hana is where you will find roads that can be dangerous or scary! (And maybe beyond!). The Road to Hana is an absolutely stunning road trip to take on any Maui vacation, and is 100% a must-do. Their reasoning is that the popular sites closer to Hana would be less crowded by getting there earlier and then I guess they think that the crowds at the stops closer to Paia will have moved on towards Hana so by the time they retrace their steps theyll have all the popular spots to themselves. Alternatively, you may use. Yum! Drive safe and slow, especially along these winding bits of road, specifically on . It's very isolated, no cell service and prohibited by all the major (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 9. Am I missing something youre trying to tell me? Google says its 47 mins but Im getting the idea google doesnt know how long these roads really take? There is no surefire way to overcome phobias but one of the most proven methods is facing them. WIND CAVE SD It becomes a dirt road for long stretches and even though we left for the day at 7AM, after a few stops and not really rushing we ended up in a situation where we were driving the most treacherous parts after dark (we almost hit a cow at one point, as herds will just wonder over the road in certain parts). Its possible that some companies offer roadside assistance coverage that you can purchase additionally and maybe this portion of the road isnt included in that. These activities past Hana town will still be considered Road to Hana activities since people typically do them as a part of their Road to Hana trip! Some more reasoned, I imagine people living in the Serengeti are very justifiably fearful of lions, and Bull elephants, Soldiers have a real and healthy fear of the enemy! Dont miss it! Sustained by the Hanawi Stream, here you'll find that the lower waterfall cascades 200 feet into a freshwater pool. Google maps said 2 hours but I guess this is what happens when a bot gives you directions? The drive time from Kula town to Kahului is about 4 hours, but with all the fun things to do and see this is a whole day excursion lets say 10-12 hours. It REALLY isnt a bad road. ***Want to get FREE flights to Hawaii? Click here to check rates for your trip. We would love to hear from those who braved the road though. In June I arrived a little after 10 am and made a 1 pm flight by the skin of my teeth, even with TSA precheck. Bring ones you don't mind getting muddy. 10 Best Museums In Chicago Which Museums Should You Visit In The Windy City? TRAVEL TIP: If you would prefer to follow along to an audio tour I recommend the Shaka Guide! I have regretted not trying since we arrived home. You can drive the road to Hana yourself, or take a tour in a van . Driving a car is dangerous. Its so incredible itll change your life! I cant wait to see it!!! Snorkeling at Molokini is one of the best things to do in Kihei. 2) Is this too late in the afternoon to see safely in early August? Finally, the highlight of the back road to Hana is the Kipahulu entrance to Haleakala National Park. Our guide had lots of experience in driving to Hana via the southern route, thus making it much safer compared to attempting it on our own! Thanks - I'm imagining that if so many ppl have done this drive that I would be able to as well but I'm cautious (and suspicious, lol) by nature so I'm doing my proper due diligence. That would allow you to pass through the most lush parts of the highway in the morning. Your support really helps me keep this blog running! The Road to Hana is by its very nature one of the most dangerous things you will do on your Maui Vacation! 6) I am not a daredevil but I'm a careful driver who has never been in an accident in 32 yrs of driving due to being defensive and aware on the road. 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