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Road to Hana Itinerary: How to Explore in 1 Day

ByScott
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If you’re visiting Maui, you have likely heard of the epic drive along the Road to Hana. Check out our epic Road to Hana itinerary below to explore the Road to Hana’s best stops and must-see locations in one day.

Learn about the best place to get banana bread 🍌, how to be safe while driving the road, and what stops to see or skip. We spent one day on the Road to Hana, and that was enough to see a few of the best spots.

You could even break this drive into two days and stay in Hana for one night! Get the details below and start planning your drive on the Road to Hana today.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read our full disclosure for more information.

Table of Contents
Waianapanapa State Park on the Road to Hana itinerary.
Make your way to Waiʻānapana State Park on the Road to Hana

🌺 Whenever you choose to visit Maui, please practice mālama. This means caring for and respecting others, supporting local businesses, and protecting the environment by not littering and picking up any trash that you see. Learn about the Hawaiian culture and pay it forward!

Need to Know Info to Drive the Road to Hana

  • Please yield to ALL local drivers! Local residents have driven this road for years, and they know every turn and how to navigate quickly. If you see a car on your tail or if someone is honking at you, please pull over and let them pass. Mahalo and drive with aloha!
  • Do NOT park along the Road to Hana in a no-parking zone. Follow all signs, or you may get towed and/or ticketed.
  • Driving the Road to Hana isn’t for everyone. If you get car sick, you might want to skip this trip. The road is narrow, winding, and sometimes a bit harrowing.
  • Fill up your gas tank in Paia or Kahului before leaving. There are no gas stations along the Road to Hana, but there is one in Hana Town. Since there is only one station here, expect to pay a premium.
  • Leave as early as possible. This will help with crowds and timing.

How Far Away is Hana?

Hana is located on the eastern side of Maui. Here is how long it takes to drive from different locations on Maui. Note that this approximate drive time does not include stops.

  • Kahului: 2 hours
  • Kihei: 2 hours, 10 minutes
  • Lahaina: 2 hours, 30 minutes
  • Kula (Upcountry): 2 hours

Map

The map above shows the route we took and the stops we visited (or skipped!) during our day trip along the Road to Hana.

Road to Hana Itinerary

Below are the Road to Hana best stops that we visited on our Road to Hana itinerary. We discuss whether or not we think the stop is worth a visit. During our trip on the Road to Hana, we made it our mission to visit Haleakala Park’s Kipahulu District to hike the Pipiwai Trail, which is why we skipped many stops on the Road to Hana. That being said, if you don’t like hiking, there are plenty of short stops along the route!

Technically, the Road to Hana begins when Highway 36 becomes Highway 360. Use the mile markers to help plan the stops you want to see on the Road to Hana. Let’s drive!

Twin Falls – Mile Marker 2

The first stop on the Road to Hana is Twin Falls. This is a quick stop with waterfalls that you can visit and explore. There is limited parking for 55 cars, and you will need to pay a $10.00 fee to park. If it’s full, continue your drive and try to visit on your way back.

Located on the grounds of the Wailele Farm, the owners share their property with the public, so please treat this spot with kindness and respect. We skipped this stop in the interest of time, but this is a very popular spot to stop on the Road to Hana.

🚙 Looking for a Road to Hana tour? Leave the driving to someone else and check out these great tours! Or, drive yourself and use the Self-Guided Audio Tour.

Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees – Mile Marker 7

The next stop on the Road to Hana itinerary is the rainbow eucalyptus trees. This is just before mile marker 7 on the left side of the road, but parking is very limited, with street parking only. If you stop here, you will only need a few minutes, but be sure not to block the road. You can also see rainbow eucalyptus trees in the Garden of Eden. We skipped this stop due to no parking and time.

Waikamoi Nature Trail/Garden of Eden – Mile Markers 9/10

The Waikamoi Trails are super short trails through the jungle-like forest that lead to a nice ridge overlooking the ocean. We skipped this short trail because we were on the hunt for banana bread.

The Maui Garden of Eden is a great stop if you don’t plan on visiting Haleakala National Park. To visit the Garden of Eden, no reservations are required, and the park is open every day from 8 am to 4 pm. Admission Fees are $20 for ages 16 and up and $10 for ages 5 -16. Children under 5 are FREE!

At the Garden of Eden, explore trails with unique flowers, rare trees, and amazing ocean views. You can also spot rainbow eucalyptus trees here. We skipped this stop, but we recommend stopping if you do not plan on visiting Haleakala National Park.

Keanae Peninsula & Banana Bread – Mile Marker 16

🍌 Did you say banana bread?! Of course! A trip on the Road to Hana isn’t complete without a stop at Aunt Sandy’s Banana Bread. Aunt Sandy’s has been a Maui staple since 2013. Aunt Sandy’s is open from 8:30 am to sell out Monday through Saturday.

After you devour your delicious treat, stop at the end of the Keanae Peninsula and enjoy the ocean views along the coast of Maui. This is also a great place to stop and use the restrooms near the Keanae Lookout. We definitely recommend stopping at both of these locations on your Road to Hana itinerary.

The Ocean as seen from Keanae Point on the Road to Hana.
Enjoying a quick stop at Keanae Point

Halfway to Hana – Mile Marker 17

You have made it to the halfway point to Hana! There is not a lot to see here except a sign and a small market with more banana bread, shave ice, and delicious treats. Keep on driving!

Upper Waikani Falls – Mile Marker 19

This is a popular swimming hole with a beautiful waterfall, but limited parking. If you can do so safely, stop along the bridge for a quick picture, but don’t hold up traffic! We skipped this stop as the road was starting to get busy.

🚁 Feeling like you want to splurge? Take an epic Road to Hana Luxury Limo-Van Tour with Helicopter Flight. Travel the Road to Hana in a Limo-Van and return in a helicopter! 🤩

Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside – Mile Marker 22

Next up on your Road to Hana itinerary is another quick stop on the side of the road, including restrooms. Parking is on the other side of the road, opposite the waterfall, and this location does get busy during peak hours of the day.

Please be respectful of this area and do not swim here. We skipped this stop because we had timed entry to Waiʻānapana State Park.

The black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park in Maui
The black sand beach at Waiʻānapana State Park

Waiʻānapana State Park – Mile Marker 32

One of the Road to Hana best stops is Waiʻānapana State Park! This is for sure a stop that you can’t miss on your Road to Hana itinerary. To visit this amazing park, reservations are required, and tickets sell out to visit the gorgeous black beach, cave, and other locations here.

Tickets can be reserved on the website here. Be sure to plan ahead to reserve your parking and admission 30 days in advance.

➡️ Read now: Get all the details you need here to visit Waiʻānapana State Park!

Hana Town – Mile Marker 34

Hooray! You have arrived in Hana Town. Hana has many restaurant options to get a bite to eat, as well as some fun stores with souvenirs, such as the Hasegawa General Store. We recommend stopping in Hana to check out the sights or get a snack.

Here, you will also find Kaihalulu Beach, Maui’s red-sand beach. This is a popular beach, but we did not visit as parking was an issue, and the trail is somewhat eroded. If you want to spend 2 days on the Road to Hana, check out some of the best options for an overnight stay in Hana:

  • Hana-Maui Resort: Expensive, but amazing! Oceanfront bungalows with close proximity to epic hiking areas in Maui.
  • Hana Kai Maui: A nice beach oasis with apartment-style accommodations, including daily housekeeping and kitchens.
  • The Guest Houses at Malanai in Hana: 2 fully furnished, ocean view homes near Hana, close to Hamoa Beach and Venus Pool.

🚗 Don’t forget your Shaka Guide with audio tour for your Road to Hana itinerary!

The Road to Haleakala

Finally, head out on the last part of the road to visit Haleakala National Park. From Hana, the mile markers actually start at 51 and go backward on Highway 360. Note that some areas along this stretch of the road are very narrow, one-lane, and winding. It’s possible you may need to pull off to the side or back up along the road for other cars to pass. Just remember, drive with Aloha!

Hamoa Beach – Mile Marker 51

This is one of the best beaches in Maui! Good for families and children, stop here to go snorkeling, relax on the beach, and enjoy the scenery. Limited parking is located here, and this is also a place to find some great waves for surfing and boarding!

Amenities here include restrooms, showers, a foot washing station, and shady spots to enjoy the beach. Swim at your own risk as there is no lifeguard on duty. Strong currents can be present here in the water. We stopped here to take a look at the gorgeous scenery.

Wailua Falls – Mile Marker 45

A short stop to see a magnificent waterfall on the side of the road. There is a small parking lot here where you can park and explore the falls. Stop here for a quick visit if there is a spot to park!

A hiker travels through the bamboo forest on the Pipiwai Trail at Haleakala National Park.
Hiking through the bamboo forest on the Pipiwai Trail

Haleakala National Park – Kipahulu District

Your Road to Hana itinerary is now complete with a visit to the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. Plan to arrive here early in the day to beat the crowds. It’s quite a long drive from the other side of the island, but totally worth it. Hike the Pipiwai Trail through the bamboo forest to the amazing Waimoku Falls. Then, visit the Ohe’o Gulch before driving the Road to Hana backward.

🌴 Get all the details on Haleakala National Park’s Pipiwai Trail here and hike through the bamboo forest!

Where to Stay in Maui Before Driving the Road to Hana

There isn’t a bad place to stay while visiting Maui! We actually chose to stay in Upcountry, away from most of the popular tourist destinations. It was so peaceful and relaxing with outstanding views.

We really enjoyed our home base right near the entrance to Haleakalā National Park. Check out some of the options to stay in Upcountry, here.

If you want to be closer to the action and beaches, stay in Kihei or Lahaina/Ka’anapali. Here are some excellent options below:

Kihei’s best accommodations:

Here are some great properties to stay near and north of Lahaina:

🧭 Loving this itinerary? Check out our other trips and itineraries right here!

Final Thoughts

Driving the Road to Hana is not for the faint of heart! With twisting, winding, narrow roads, this could be the worst nightmare for those who get car sick. Luckily, we didn’t and enjoyed the drive!

That being said, driving the Road to Hana is basically a day spent in the car with short stops. We feel that it is worth the drive to visit Haleakala National Park’s Pipiwai Trail, but also a bit stressful at the same time due to the crowds and traffic.

There were plenty of tourists along the route who were oblivious to the line of cars behind them, and that did not help the stress level. That being said, the scenery is amazing, and the places we stopped at were very enjoyable!

We know that your Road to Hana itinerary may not include each and every stop, but we hope this guide helps you plan your own epic Road to Hana itinerary.

🛏️ Planning to stay overnight in Hana? Book your stay now at the epic Hana-Maui Resort.

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Scott & Kathy are the founders of The Mountains Please. They have been traveling together for 11+ years with a focus on exploring each and every national park. They are on a mission to help you plan an unforgettable trip to the national parks of the United States and beyond with detailed itineraries, amazing hiking ideas, and other fun activities nearby.