Are you thinking of driving Maui’s Road To Hana? Then you better be prepared.Although this 70 mile/110km Maui drive serves up some of the most amazing scenery in the state, it’s not an adventure to take lightly.
Reservations are now required for visiting the Black Sand Beach, along the the Road to Hana. You’ll need to book in advance as same day reservations are not available.
Now’s not the time to catch up on sleep.
It’s best to be on the road, leaving your resort by at least 7:30 am. If you start late, the Road to Hana can be crowded with other drivers. That can mean that you might find yourself crawling along behind slower drivers at time. And there will also be more competition for parking spaces at the most popular places of interest.
Although there a few fruit stands and roadside casual eateries along the way, the Road To Hana offers very few options for grabbing a full meal. So it good to stock up on drinks and snacks before setting out. But save a little room for some fresh banana bread!
And also keep in mind that Hana – with a population of about 1200 – only has a very small selection of dining choices. And while we point out the public washrooms along the way, we don’t guarantee they’re always stocked. So pack some tp and hand sanitizer.
Don’t rush into your Road To Hana trip trying to squeeze everything in at once. There are so many spectacular sights in this area, there’s no way to pack them all into a single day.
Your GyPSy Guide Road to Hana Tour will help you know which are the best viewpoints and attractions you don’t want to miss, and what things are nice extras to do if you have the time.
You could book a traditional guided Road To Hana tour, but then you’re tied to the operator’s itinerary and don’t have the freedom to see the sights at your own pace.
So if you’re more of an independent traveler, the GyPSy Guide audio tour guide app will be the perfect guide for your day of sightseeing.
Not everyone driving the Road To Hana is an awe-struck visitor soaking up the scenery. So if a vehicle comes up behind you and flashes their lights, pull over at the first safe opportunity.
Holding up traffic on this winding stretch of road can cause chaos, especially if drivers try to pass. So be polite and earn some karma points by letting the locals scoot by.
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If you’re the adventurous type, you might be tempted to travel the “back side” (also known as the Piilani Highway, 31) of Haleakala on your return trip.
Our recommendation: don’t do it. You’ll be motoring down a remote road that is unpaved in sections, extremely windy and dotted with some major potholes. But the main reason is: All major car rental companies explicitly prohibit their vehicles from being driven there.
Why? You could easily become stranded out there if you have a breakdown, accident or a flash flood blocks the road (try googling flash flood Maui!). The chances might be low – but it does happen. Then, you are entirely responsible for the vehicle to be recovered or towed, and since its remote, it can cost thousands of dollars to get a tow truck back there.
Those who want to gaze out at remote Hawaiian scenery will probably be better off booking a helicopter tour.
Take your time and enjoy the stops along the Road to Hana. A truly enjoyable road trip isn’t about getting from point A to B, it’s about the relaxed pace, the freedom of the open road and the adventures along the way.
And if you want to get an even better experience while on this amazing road trip, check out the GyPSy Guide Road to Hana App or GyPSy Guide Maui App.
It provides a guided audio tour, so you can learn even more about the area as you drive. Don’t miss a thing on your drive, visit the must see waterfalls, best beaches and listen to stories about Hawaii’s culture and history. All commentary plays automatically and the apps work offline, so no data or cellular signal is required after download.
