Road to Hana 2 Day Itinerary
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission when you purchase stuff through my links at no cost to you. Please read my disclosure for more information.
Planning a trip to Maui and looking to drive the famous road to Hana by yourself? Read this post to make the most of your 2-day trip!
The road to Hana is a 65-mile stretch of road that runs from the coast of West Maui to East Maui, one of the Hawaiian islands, and it is full of lush greenery, seascapes, and waterfalls.
The cliff views on this drive are unbelievable and the stops along the road make driving the road to Hana quite an experience, however, it can also be treacherous if you aren’t well prepared.
I have driven the road to Hana early in the morning and late at night when it’s pouring rain. I know the best stops to make so you can use your time wisely along this road and I’m here to tell you all about it!
Let’s jump in!
Quick Overview
Top Recommendations
Map of the Road to Hana
KEY: Blue – Day 1 | Purple – Day 2 | Green – More Excursions
Day 1 Road to Hana
On your self-guided 3-4 hour drive to Hana, you’ll notice that there are many stops along the way. But I want you to be able to make the best stops and still get to Hana with day light left.
The stops I recommend include those from this audio tour for the road to Hana and other personal noteworthy stops.
You’ll also notice that the mile markers are a little wonky. They increase from 1 to about 35, jump up to the 50s, and then back down to the 40s after Hana. I will note which mile marker to make stops!
Top Tip: When making an out-and-back drive on the road to Hana, make all your stops on the way there so that you can just head straight back to West Maui when you leave. It is not advised to leave after 4 PM or drive a loop around Maui.
Stop 1: Ke’anae Arboretum
- Location: around mile marker 16
- Entrance fee: free
- Opening hours: all day, every day
- Time spent: about 30 minutes
Along the road to Hana, you’ll see numerous rainbow eucalyptus trees in the brush. To see these gorgeous trees up close, make a stop at the Ke’anae Arboretum.
After parking on the left hand side of the road just past the entrance, cross the road and walk on a gravel path toward the trees. The rainbow eucalyptus trees are on your right.
Following the path, you’ll also see many tropical plants from around the world, including different types of taro, gingers, hibiscus, and papaya.
Stop 2: Ke’anae Peninsula
- Location: around mile marker 16
- Entrance fee: free
- Opening hours: all day, every day
- Time spent: about 30 minutes
Just before the halfway mark to Hana, you will come upon the Ke’anae peninsula where you can park your car, get out and walk around to see the lava rock that sticks up like fingers. You will need to veer off the road to Hana to get to the peninsula.
Historically this area used to produce a lot of taro, which is a root vegetable used in Hawaiian cuisine.
On April 1, 1946, the whole area was almost completely destroyed by a tsunami. Because it was April 1st, the villagers didn’t believe that the tsunami warning was true, and they thought it was just an April fool’s joke.
Unfortunately, this caused the little village to lose children and teachers’ lives. The only building left standing was a church that was built with lava rock.
Today it has a very small population. Auntie Sandy also has a banana stand here that is said to be really good and you should check it out. Unfortunately, we got here too early and the shop wasn’t open yet.
Stop 3: Wailua Falls
- Location: mile marker 45
- Entrance fee: free
- Opening hours: all day, every day
- Time spent: about 10 minutes
If you are going to stop for any waterfalls, Wailua Falls is the one. There is a nice parking area just a few feet after the falls to the left of the road.
You can get out of your car and take a picture in front of the falls or even walk on the little trail to get a closer look. Wailua falls is definitely a favorite on the road to Hana!
Stop 4: Koki Beach
- Location: mile marker 51
- Entrance fee: free
- Opening hours: all day, every day
- Time spent: about 30 minutes
Before heading to the Pipiwai Trail, make a short stop at Koki beach. This is not the beach to swim in because of its choppy waves and lack of lifeguards, but it does have red pebbles which attract tourists to its watery shores.
Looking out into the ocean you can also see a tiny island called Alau that is cone-shaped with a coconut palm tree on top.
There is also a food stand here where you can get Huli Huli chicken or ribs and have a short picnic with a view of the ocean.
Stop 5: Pipiwai Trail in Haleakala National Park
- Location: mile marker 42
- Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle, free with America the Beautiful NP pass
- Opening hours: all day, every day – but it’s best to start your hike around 1 PM
- Time spent: about 3-4 hours
After you visit the Wailua waterfalls, you will want to head straight to the Pipiwai Trail in the Kīpahulu District of Haleakala National Park.
You do have to pay a $30 fee for parking, but this ticket is good for three days if you decide to do the sunset or sunrise at the Haleakala summit.
Make sure to wear nice hiking boots or non-slippery shoes because when there is rainfall the trail becomes very muddy and slippery. For someone who is not an avid hiker, I would categorize this hike as moderate.
On the Pipiwai Trail, you will see mango trees, come across an old and very large Banyan tree (yes, it can hold your weight if you want to sit on it), and walk through a bamboo forest to get to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls.
After the falls, you will then turn around and hike your way back to the parking lot. My favorite part was listening to the bamboo trees bump against each other; the sound was so relaxing!
Top Tip: You should start this 4-mile round-trip hike around 1 PM at the latest because there may be rainfall and you do not want to be up here in the dark.
Stop 6: Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)
- Location: mile marker 42
- Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle, free with America the Beautiful NP pass
- Opening hours: all day, every day
- Time spent: about 1 hour
Once you finish hiking the Pipiwai Trail and start making your back to the parking lot, you’ll find the trailhead for the Ohe’o Gulch, also known as the Seven Sacred Pools.
This hiking trail is a loop so whichever way you decide to start off on, you’ll make your way around and back to the parking lot.
The hike to the pools is easy and should take you about 20 minutes. You’ll get to see a few beautiful waterfalls on the way, including the 200-foot Makahiku Falls.
While looping through the trail, you will be greeted by breathtaking views of all seven natural water pools and a remarkable view of the Pacific Ocean! Swimming is not permitted at the seven pools, but the views still make this visit worth it!
Grab dinner at Hana Food Truck Park
- Location: Hana Highway, across the street from the Hana Ranch Store
- Entrance fee: free
- Opening hours: 11:30am – 7:00pm
- Time spent: about 1 hour
By this time, you will be exhausted from your self-guided tour on the road to Hana and hiking the Pipiwai Trail. It’s time to get some dinner and get some rest for your journey back tomorrow!
Right across the street from Hana Ranch is a food truck lot. Here, Ae’s Thai Food Kitchen sits, as well as a Poke Bowl truck.
Ae’s does have Thai cuisine from Pad Thai to spring rolls, but they also have a separate truck for burgers, sandwiches, smoothies, and other offerings. We decided to eat at Ae’s food truck and it was delicious!
Day 2 on the Road to Hana
There isn’t very much to do in the town of Hana itself. If you have an inkling to explore the area, you can head to Hana Bay Beach or check out a souvenir stand by Hana Farms near their restaurant, the Bamboo Hale.
Today, you’ll take a slower self-guided pace heading back to West Maui as you’ve seen most of the highlights on the road to Hana.
Wai’anapanapa State Park
- Location: mile marker 32
- Entrance fee: $5/ person, $10 for parking
- Opening hours: selected reserved time
- Time spent: about 1-2 hours
You’ll want to make your way directly to Wai’anapanapa State Park if you selected an early reservation time. You can always backtrack east as Wai’anapanapa State Park is very close to Hana.
The biggest draw to the Wai’anapanapa state park is the black sand beach. Even though it is referred to as black sand, it actually looks more like little black pebbles, which makes my heart happy as you know I’m not the biggest fan of sand.
The color of the sand or pebbles was created by volcanic materials and lava fragments several hundred years ago.
This beach also has strong waves and jellyfish so it may not be best for swimming. But you can explore the area as there are hiking trails, a blowhole, and sea arches. The panoramic view of the whole beach is beautiful and worth a picture.
Keep in mind that you now have to make reservations for the state park. When you make a reservation, you’ll need to select a time. I highly recommend selecting the earliest one!
Hana Lava Tube
- Location: mile marker 31
- Entrance fee: $15 per person
- Opening hours: 10:30 AM – 4 PM
- Time spent: about 1-2 hours
The Hana Lava Tube is located about 5 minutes east of Wai’anapanapa State Park, which means you’ll backtrack just a bit.
The Hana Lava Tube was created by lava spewing underground and flowing towards the ocean and is now a cave-like tourist attraction.
The fee for the Hana Lava Tube tour includes the self-guided Hana lava tube tour, a flashlight cause it’s pitch black down there, and a maze tour. To enter the tube, you have to go down 50 steps for a self-guided tour.
The temperature of the tube ranges between 66°F and 72°F throughout the year, and beware it can feel a little bit claustrophobic. On a positive note, we were told that this cave doesn’t have bats!
After finishing your self-guided tour, you can come back up to return your flashlight given at the entrance and enjoy a bit of fun through the Red Ti Botanical Maze before heading out.
Top Tip: Wear shoes with grip as the ground can be slippery down the steps and throughout your walk.
Nahiku Marketplace
- Location: mile marker 29
- Entrance fee: free, pay for food
- Opening hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Time spent: about 30 minutes to 1 hour
Make a quick stop at the Nahiku Marketplace, one of the only areas on the road to Hana to get food. This marketplace is filled with local food stands and one coffee shop.
Nahiku Marketplace is known for its delicious smoked kalua pork. You might also want to grab a coffee and banana bread to fuel up for the drive back to West Maui.
During peak hours, you’ll find the marketplace to be hopping and you may have to stand in line to get your meal!
Kaumahina Wayside State Park
- Location: mile marker 12
- Entrance fee: free
- Opening hours: all day, every day
- Time spent: about 15 minutes
Kaumahina Wayside State Park offers a stunning viewpoint in East Maui on the road to Hana and is a great spot for enjoying lunch and taking photos. There is also a spacious picnic area as well as bathrooms.
You can choose to do a quick break here and stretch your legs or explore the 7-acre property.
Garden of Eden
- Location: mile marker 10.5
- Entrance fee: $20 for adults, $10 for kids
- Opening hours: 8 AM to 4 PM
- Time Spent: about 1 hour
The Garden of Eden is family-owned and designed by Alan Bradbury, Maui’s first ISA-certified arborist, and landscape designer.
The 26-acre area truly is a lush sanctuary of greenery and unique flowers. There is also a duck-feeding pond and a few peacocks walking around the garden as well.
Town of Paia
- Location: mile marker 0
- Entrance fee: free
- Opening hours: all day, every day
- Time spent: about 1-2 hours
When you make it back to West Maui, it may be time to grab a bite to eat. Before heading back to your hotel, take the chance to explore the little town of Paia.
Walk around the main street and enjoy the shops as well as restaurants. We got lunch from Paia Fishmarket, one of the best restaurants in Maui.
However, if you’d like to just head straight back to your hotel, then this is the end of the road to Hana for you.
More Excursions on the Road to Hana
Three Bears Falls
- Location: mile marker 19
- Entrance fee: free
- Opening hours: all day, every day
- Time spent: about 10 minutes to 1 hour
If you’re looking for another waterfall to photograph, then Three Bears Falls is the perfect spot. Also known as the Upper Waikani Falls, you’ll notice that there are 3 waterfalls just like the three bears fairytale.
To swim at the Three Bears Falls, you’ll need to park about 80 feet before the bridge of falls and then walk back to swim.
Hana Bay Beach
- Location: in Hana
- Entrance fee: free
- Opening hours: all day, every day
- Time spent: about 30 minutes to 1 hour
Hana Bay Beach is a great spot for swimming, picnicking, and just taking in the beauty of Maui’s east side. At Hana Bay Beach, you will see a few canoes out in the water, especially if you visit in April.
It’s also important to note that there is 1 restroom facility available at this beach, so make sure to plan accordingly.
Hamoa Beach
- Location: in Hana, mile marker 51
- Entrance fee: free
- Opening hours: all day, every day
- Time spent: about 1-2 hours
Hamoa Beach is located very close to Koki Beach and is one of the best beaches for swimming with its white sand. Visitors can also paddleboard here, but keep an eye out for any big waves that may come!
The only downside to Hamoa Beach is the parking. Since it’s so popular, many cars line the street and can even cause traffic hold up!
How to Prepare for the Drive on the Road to Hana
Where and When to Start on the Road to Hana
🚙 When looking into getting a car rental to drive the road to Hana, I highly recommend Discover Cars as they provide the best prices for Maui.
To start your drive on the road to Hana, you’ll notice mile marker zero is just past the little town of Paia near Kahului airport. Your drive on the road to Hana can be 7 to 9 hours round-trip because this road is full of 620 curves and 59 one-lane bridges (crazy, but also cool!).
Starting the drive at mile marker zero before 8 AM should beat most of the traffic, otherwise, your drive time may be extended if you want to hit all your must-see stops.
You also don’t want to leave so early (before 7 AM) that you miss out on some of the delicious banana bread stands, which is what we did, oops!
You can also gas up and buy last-minute snacks in Paia before heading out on your trip as this is the last place for gas before reaching Hana.
Guides and Maps for the Road to Hana
There is little to no cell phone service on the road to Hana so I recommend doing a quick study of the map to from mile marker 0 all the way through the town of Hana.
You can also download the app called Gypsy Guide and purchase the Hana Guide under the Hawaiian islands to narrate your drive as you go. It also has recommended places to stop on the way to Hana and Hawaiian history on the way back to West Maui.
The best part is that this app has a built-in GPS that can be used without cell service.
In my opinion, this narration guide is so worth the purchase!
Stops and Safety for the Road to Hana
Top tip: For a 1-day round trip drive, you need to head back to West Maui before or at 4 PM. Do not drive the road to Hana in the dark.
Saftey tip for the raod to Hana: When pulling over for a view, make sure to get over as much as possible and watch out for cars as some will speed through those curves. Cars will yield or slow down when they get to a one-lane bridge, but it’s hard to see around the corner with the narrower curves.
Stops on the road to Hana: Make a stop at Kaumahina Wayside State Park (mile marker 12) for a bathroom break if needed. The Nahiku Marketplace (mile marker 29) is great for lunch and a coffee break!
Packing Tips for the Road to Hana
☔ On our drive back to West Maui, there was a downpour of rain most of the way. Take precautions and pack a raincoat or a poncho just in case it rains on you during a stop on the road to Hana.
💊 Motion sickness is a real thing for this drive–you may be very uncomfortable as some of the curves are very narrow and windy. Even though I don’t have motion sickness, I cautiously prepared Bonine just in case but never needed it.
☀️ While on the trails, you’ll want to apply sunscreen and insect repellent. It is very humid on the east side of Maui and you will get bitten–especially on the Pipiwai trail.
🥾 Have non-slippery shoes for hiking the Pipiwai Trail.
👙 If you plan on swimming, pack a swimsuit.
Where to Stay in Hana
Since you aren’t driving out and back in one day, you’ll need to stay the night in Hana. Because it’s so remote, prices for Hana are higher than in West Maui.
Since we were on a tight timeline, we personally decided to go with Airbnb as it was the most cost-effective for us. We stayed at the Hana Inn which provided a secure room, an ensuite bathroom, and parking on site. The owner was very communicative and provided check-in details before our trip.
Another option is to stay at Heavenly Hana Paradise. This is a studio with a cute terrace and your own private bathroom. It’s also located 10 minutes from Hana’s city center.
If you would like your own private apartment, Hana Kai Maui #103 is in a great location with one bedroom, a private bathroom, and a kitchen if you would like to cook at home.
Wherever you end up staying, make sure you plan at least 3 months ahead of time as reservations fill up very quickly!
Places to Eat in Hana
- Hana Ranch Restaurant: Hana Ranch is part of the Hyatt resort area. It is American food with an island twist – serving burgers, steak, ribs, poke, and various entrees. It is located on the Hana Highway, about a 5-minute drive from downtown Hana. Call to reserve in advance otherwise you may not get a seat for dinner.
- Hana Food Truck Park: Right across the street from Hana Ranch is a food truck lot. After purchasing your food, you can sit down on the picnic tables provided in the park, or walk out towards the left and you’ll find a trail that leads to the ocean for a view!
- The Bamboo Hale: The Bamboo Hale is a restaurant beside the coffee shop. They serve pupus, plates from the farm with pulled pork and BBQ beef brisket, and wood-fired pizza. This is definitely a unique restaurant to eat at.
FAQs: Road to Hana 2 Day Itinerary
Is it worth driving the Road to Hana?
Absolutely! The Road to Hana is a unique experience that offers an array of activities and breathtaking views.
Making the drive by yourself, you’ll get to explore waterfalls, beaches, markets, and more as you make your way down the winding roads. It’s definitely worth the time and energy–at least once!
Do you need to rent a Jeep for the road to Hana?
No you do not need to rent a jeep to successfully drive the road to Hana as long as you are cautious of the narrow roads and some of the tight turns that require extra attention.
Check with your rental company on specific driving rules for their vehicles, especially when driving the backside of Hana. Rental car companies will advise against going counter-clockwise to Hana because the roads are not well-paved.
🚙 When looking into getting a car rental to drive the road to Hana, I highly recommend Discover Cars as they provide the best prices for Maui.
How long does it take to drive along the Road to Hana?
Driving the road to Hana on a self-guided tour typically takes about 3-4 hours one way, depending on how many stops you make and activities you decide to do.
How sketchy is the Road to Hana?
The Road to Hana is not overly sketchy, however, there are some narrow roads and sharp turns that can be tricky for first-time drivers. The road is also filled with one-lane bridges, which can be hard to maneuver if there are a lot of cars.
Make sure you follow the speed limit and pay attention to the road. Also, be aware of potential hazards such as wildlife and other drivers who may not follow the rules.
If you find a car tailgating, pull over and let them pass–it’s most likely a local trying to make their way to work or home.
Overall, you’ll have fun on the road to Hana and will want to drive it again!
Ready to head to Maui? Check out these travel guides:
