Road to Hana Guide: 10 Best Stops and 1-Day Itinerary (2024)
This one-day Road to Hana guide will help you prioritize the best stops and ease the stress of planning the perfect 1-day itinerary.
The Road to Hana is a beautiful, scenic drive on the East coast of Maui, Hawaii. The road extends approximately 40 miles from the beach town of Paia to the small, jungle town of Hana. While the road is short, it takes at least one full day to see all the sites.
The Road to Hana is infamous for being super windy and a bit rugged. The road has 620 curves, many of which are narrow and tight turns. That said, be careful driving and you will be rewarded with some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.
The road winds along the coastline, through the jungle and past numerous waterfalls. From the beginning to end of the trip, you will be surrounded by stunning views and photo opportunities.
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Summary – One Day Road to Hana Itinerary
Is it possible to do the Road to Hana in one day? The short answer is yes! The Road to Hana is a great day trip from areas in West Maui such as Wailea or Lahaina.
The Road to Hana loop is around 120 miles, but takes a full day to complete because there are so many great places to stop.
Below, I’ll outline the 10 best stops on the Road to Hana, tips for driving, and a map of the route. If you don’t want to read all of it, here are the 10 best stops up front:
- Paia Town
- Ho’okipa Beach
- Twin Falls
- Haiku Lookout
- Ke’anae Peninsula
- Hidden Waterfall Hike
- Lava Tube
- Blank Sand Beach
- Hana
- Haleakala National Park
Loop Versus Classic One Day Road to Hana Tour
There are two ways to drive the Road to Hana: the classic tour and the loop tour.
The classic tour consists of driving the Hana Highway to Hana town or just past then returning the way you came. The benefit of this route is that it is a safer and more familiar road.
The other option is doing the Road to Hana loop tour. Instead of turning around, the loop tour will take you around the base of Haleakala to the “backside” of Hana. The benefit of this tour is seeing more beautiful scenery.
However, some have experienced dangerous road conditions since there are areas with narrow one-lane roads.
If you have good weather, four-wheel drive and are a confident driver, I recommend the loop tour. If you are uncomfortable with this, go ahead and follow the classic route instead.
Using an App for the Road to Hana
If you take anything from this Road to Hana guide, remember this. Use an app-based guide for the tour. The guide will track your location based on your phone’s GPS and give detailed directions and facts.
Since there is no service on the road, this is the best way to get clear directions and not miss any important stops. App-based guides also add a local touch without having to deal with a tour group.
I chose to use Shaka Guide and cannot recommend it enough. Before you leave your hotel, download the tour to your phone and you are good to go.
Throughout the trip, Shaka will chime in with fun stories, facts about the locations and specific directions based on your GPS location. Without Shaka Guide, we would have missed many stops since they are quick turn-offs that are tricky to see.
Save yourself the stress and download this guide
Road to Hana Tour
If a self-driving tour of the Road to Hana intimidates you, a guided tour is a great option.
People may choose not to drive the road for many reasons including elevated car rental prices, discomfort driving unfamiliar roads, or simply wanting to avoid the effort of planning a day trip.
If any of these reasons or others apply to you, a guided tour of Road to Hana may be the best option. This tour comes highly recommended and includes breakfast, lunch, roundtrip transportation, and a live guide. The tour hits most of the major stops listed below and provides a local touch through your in-person guide.
Road To Hana 1 Day Itinerary (The Best Stops)
Stop 1: Paia Town
The official start to the Road to Hana is in a surfing town called Paia. Paia is located approximately 20 minutes from the airport. Since Paia is the last “big” town before Hana, be sure to fill up your gas tank and pick up any of the supplies listed above.
If you have extra time in Paia at the end of your tour or another day, be sure to spend some time in the local shops. The famous Mama’s Fish house is also located in Paia. Commonly rated the best restaurant in Maui, Mama’s is a must if you can get a reservation.
For the sake of time on this tour, grab what you need in Paia then quickly continue with the Road to Hana guide.
Stop 2: Ho’okipa Beach
This first stop is not officially on the road but is a great stop to stretch your legs after the long drive from your hotel. Ho’okipa beach is a large surf beach just outside of Paia.
Pull into the parking lot to watch surfers catching huge waves. This stop was fun for me because I had never seen a “real” surfer before.
Stop 3: Twin Falls
The most common stop on this Road to Hana guide, Twin Falls is typically packed due to it being the first official stop on the drive.
While the falls are beautiful, feel free to skip if the small parking lot is full. There are plenty of better waterfalls ahead.
If you have some extra time, pull off and enjoy the quick walk to your first waterfalls on the Road to Hana.
Stop 4: Haiku Lookout
This next stop will be quick, but worth pulling over. The beautiful views at the Haiku lookout are easy to miss so rely on your app-based guide for specific directions.
Pull to the side of the highway, safely cross the road, and take in the sprawling views of the coastline and jungle.
Stop 5: Ke’anae Peninsula
Ke’anae is a small 15-minute detour from the Hana highway and is very worth the time. At the peninsula, you will find Aunty Sandy’s banana bread. This shack is famous for having the best banana bread in the world (or at least on the Road to Hana).
Follow the road beyond Aunty Sandy’s to the end where you will see large waves crashing on the lava rocks. Once again, snap a few quick pictures then get back on the road.
Stop 6: Hidden Waterfall Hike
Shaka guide rated this hidden waterfall hike as the best hike on the Road to Hana. Park near the entrance to Wailuaiki road then set off on the 1-mile round-trip hike.
After a small incline, veer right at the top of the hill and be quickly rewarded with beautiful views of the hidden waterfall. Either turn back here or continue a bit further to see the waterfall up close and take a swim in the swimming hole.
Stop 7: Lava Tube
The lava tube is my favorite stop on this Road to Hana guide. Another stop that is easy to miss, rely on your app guide for directions.
Once you park on the shoulder of the road, enter the lava tube through a small hole in the rocks. No need to worry, the space will quickly open up.
Continue with your phone flashlight through the lava tube through the winding caves. Once you reach sunlight on the other side, proceed to your car along the road.
Stop 8: Black Sand Beach
At Waianapanapa State Park, follow the marked path to the black sand beach and blowhole. As one of the only black sand beaches on Maui, this one is a sight to see.
If you are interested, stop at the beach for a quick swim. Otherwise, continue the path to the blowhole where water shoots hundreds of feet into the air.
Stop 9: Hana town
Finally, you have arrived in Hana town. Since you will likely be hungry by this point, grab a bite at a local restaurant or food truck.
I highly recommend checking out Braddah Hutts, just outside of town. This local food truck serves delicious Hawaiian barbeque and was one of my favorite meals of the entire trip.
Stop 10: Haleakala National Park
Saving the best stop for last, be sure to save time for Haleakala National Park. Just past Hana, this national park has beautiful views and two great hikes.
The first hike at Haleakala is a quick half-mile loop that visits the 7 sacred pools. This beautiful landmark is made up of multiple cascading pools from the jungle to the ocean. If you are short on time, this hike is a great, quick option.
The second hike at Haleakala is the best site on the Road to Hana and is called the Pipiwai trail. This 4-mile hike reaches multiple waterfalls and stunning views. If you prioritize your time in the beginning of the day, you will be rewarded with time for this hike.
Driving from Hana to West Maui
Following your time at Haleakala National Park, either turn around or continue to the “backside” of Hana to begin your journey home. Listen to your app-guide for stories, history, and fun facts on the ride home.
Preparing for the Road to Hana
It is important, yet easy, to prepare for the Road to Hana. Below is a quick road to Hana guide for packing and preparation.
Some guides will warn that there is no food beyond Paia. However, there are plenty of stops so do not put too much pressure on yourself to have everything you need.
Water– In the hot Maui sun, it is easy to become dehydrated. Pack some water to have throughout the day.
Swimsuit– There are many swimming holes and beaches along the Road to Hana. If you plan to swim a lot, wear a swimsuit under your clothes.
If you do not plan to swim, pack a suit in case you change your mind. However, changing along the road may be difficult since there are limited facilities.
Snacks– As mentioned above, many blogs warn that there is no food between Paia and Hana. In my opinion, there are many stops along the way for fruit or local baked goods.
If you like specific road trip snacks, stock up beforehand.
Camera– The Road the Hana is non-stop beauty. From the viewpoints to the hikes to the road itself, you will be snapping pictures all day long.
Pack your best camera (or just your iPhone) and be sure to have extra batteries.
Leave Early– The best way you can prepare for the Road to Hana is to plan to leave early. With many stops, you will want to maximize your time along the road.
Leaving before 7 am will allow you to get in front of some crowds.
Have Patience– Many will be tempted to stop every time there is a group of people pulled over. In the sake of time, prepare to skip some of these stops to save time for the better stops later down the road.
Renting a Car for the Road to Hana
The best way to tour the Road to Hana in one day is to rent a car. There are two considerations when choosing the right car for the drive: function and fashion. The first should be considered before the latter but both can be achieved.
The most common cars on the Road to Hana are Jeep Wranglers and Mustang convertibles. The Jeep has the advantage of four-wheel drive while the Mustang has the advantage of a convertible top.
Since the top of the Jeep can also be removed, it is the best option in my opinion. Some things to consider when selecting a car for the Road to Hana are size/comfort, air conditioning, off-roading ability and GPS.
The Jeep Wrangler has all these features. When choosing the right car for yourself, keep the above criteria in mind.
Tip: When driving the Road to Hana, yield to faster vehicles. Many locals must drive the Hana Highway to get to their homes or jobs. They tend to take the road much faster than tourists, so give them space.
Road to Hana Map
Best Resort in Hana
If you don’t want to be rushed squeezing the Road to Hana into one day, I highly recommend spending one night in town.
That way, you can spend the first full day on the way from West Maui to Hana, spending time at each of the stops above.
The next day, you can explore Haleakala National Park in the morning before returning to West Maui. By breaking up the itinerary into two days, you will feel much less rushed.
In addition, there is an amazing resort in Hana for the night.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✅ 2 outdoor pools with beach and ocean views
✅ upscale and family-friendly resort
✅ Ocean-view suites with large outdoor decks
FAQ – Road to Hana Itinerary 1 Day
Yes, the Road to Hana is dangerous. But don’t let that deter you from visiting. A lot of the danger comes from people speeding and passing cars around tight corners. Avoid driving the road at night or in poor weather for additional precaution.
Yes, the Road to Hana is a great day trip in Maui. To make the most of a one day itinerary, plan to start early in the morning and return to your hotel around dinner time.
The Road to Hana drive is around 120 miles and takes approximately 4 hours if you drive straight through. To allow time for traffic and stops, I recommend budgeting 10 hours to complete the Road to Hana.
Summary of this Road to Hana One Day Itinerary
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