Hana Highway Road Trip Guide
Start in Pa'ia (last full-service town); end in Hana, or continue to Kipahulu/'Ohe'o Gulch in Haleakala National Park. Returning the same way is standard; the narrow, partly unpaved back road (Pi'ilani Highway 31) around the south side is an alternative but is rough and often discouraged by rental agreements. · About 52 miles one way from Kahului to Hana via Highway 36/360. The Hana Highway mile markers reset to 0 at Pa'ia (start of Hwy 360); Hana sits at roughly mile marker 51. Many drivers continue about 10 miles past Hana to Kipahulu (Haleakala National Park, 'Ohe'o Gulch).
Route at a Glance
Distance
About 52 miles one way from Kahului to Hana via Highway 36/360. The Hana Highway mile markers reset to 0 at Pa'ia (start of Hwy 360); Hana sits at roughly mile marker 51. Many drivers continue about 10 miles past Hana to Kipahulu (Haleakala National Park, 'Ohe'o Gulch).
Drive time
Non-stop driving is about 2.5 to 3 hours one way, but the road has roughly 620 curves and around 59 bridges, so plan a full day (8 to 10 hours round trip) or stay overnight in Hana.
Route
Start in Pa'ia (last full-service town); end in Hana, or continue to Kipahulu/'Ohe'o Gulch in Haleakala National Park. Returning the same way is standard; the narrow, partly unpaved back road (Pi'ilani Highway 31) around the south side is an alternative but is rough and often discouraged by rental agreements.
Which way to drive
This is an out-and-back, not a loop. Depart Kahului/Pa'ia eastbound in the early morning (leave by 7 to 8 a.m.). Going early beats tour vans and rental traffic, and most photo stops and waterfalls are on the inbound (eastbound) side, so you can pull off on the right without crossing oncoming traffic.
About the Hana Highway Drive
The Hana Highway (Route 360) winds 52 miles along Maui's northeastern coast from Kahului to the remote town of Hana, navigating 620 curves and 59 bridges (46 of them one-lane). The drive begins in sugarcane country and quickly plunges into tropical rainforest. Twin Falls (mile marker 2) is the first major waterfall stop. The Garden of Eden Arboretum (mile marker 10.5) offers manicured views of Puohokamoa Valley. Waikamoi Nature Trail (mile marker 9.5) is a short loop through bamboo and eucalyptus. The Ke'anae Peninsula (mile marker 16.5) juts into the ocean with a lava rock coastline and taro fields. Wai'anapanapa State Park (mile marker 32) has a black volcanic sand beach, sea caves, and a blowhole. Beyond Hana, the road continues to 'Ohe'o Gulch (the Seven Sacred Pools) in Haleakala National Park.
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Roamee Pro offers a free GPS audio guide for the Hana Highway drive. Stories play automatically as you reach each stop — Wai'anapanapa State Park (mile marker 32), Ke'anae Peninsula (mile marker 16.5), 'Ohe'o Gulch (mile marker 42, past Hana) — so you keep your eyes on the road. Works offline.
explore by interest
Major Stops Along the Route
- 1Pa'ia town (Mile 0) — Last gas, ATMs, and groceries before Hana. Stock up on water, snacks, and fuel here. Ho'okipa Beach Park just east is a windsurfing and turtle-viewing spot.
- 2Twin Falls (near Mile 2) — First easy waterfall stop with a parking area and short walk; fruit stand at the entrance. Gets crowded mid-morning.
- 3Garden of Eden Arboretum (Mile 10.5) — Privately run botanical garden, paid admission; overlooks Puohokamoa Falls and Keopuka Rock.
- 4Ke'anae Peninsula (near Mile 16.5) — Lava-rock coastline, old stone church (Lanakila 'Ihi'ihi o Iehova Ona Kaua, 1860), and Aunty Sandy's banana bread stand.
- 5Upper Waikani (Three Bears) Falls (Mile 19) — Roadside three-tiered waterfall visible from the highway; small pullout.
- 6Wai'anapanapa State Park (near Mile 32) — Black-sand beach (Pa'iloa), sea caves, and lava tubes. Reservations and paid parking are required for non-residents (book online in advance).
- 7Hana town and Kipahulu / 'Ohe'o Gulch (Mile 51 to ~62) — Hana has limited fuel and a small store. 'Ohe'o Gulch (Pools of 'Ohe'o) and the Pipiwai Trail to 400-ft Waimoku Falls are in Haleakala National Park's Kipahulu District; park entry fee applies.
Don't-Miss Sights Along Hana Highway
- •Wai'anapanapa State Park (mile marker 32) — a black sand beach formed from volcanic cinder, with sea caves, blowholes, and a coastal trail through hala trees
- •Ke'anae Peninsula (mile marker 16.5) — a flat lava peninsula jutting into the ocean with active taro lo'i (paddies) and a 1856 stone church
- •'Ohe'o Gulch (mile marker 42, past Hana) — a series of tiered freshwater pools cascading to the ocean in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park
- •Upper Waikani Falls (Three Bears Falls, mile marker 19.5) — a triple-tiered waterfall visible from the road, one of the most photographed falls on the highway
Best Viewpoints
- •Ke'anae Peninsula lookout over the lava coastline and taro fields
- •Wailua Valley State Wayside overlook (climb the steps for the valley and ocean view)
- •Upper Waikani (Three Bears) Falls pullout near Mile 19
- •Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside (roadside falls and pools near Mile 22.5)
- •Kaihalulu (Red Sand Beach) overlook near Hana
Worthwhile Detours off Hana Highway
- •Nahiku Marketplace (mile marker 29) — a small collection of roadside food stands serving banana bread, coconut candy, and smoked fish in a muddy jungle clearing
- •Pipiwai Trail (past Hana at mile marker 42) — a 4-mile round-trip hike through a towering bamboo forest to 400-foot Waimoku Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in Hawaii
Fuel, Food & Services
Fill up in Pa'ia or Kahului before starting; there is no gas between Pa'ia and Hana. Hana has one small, expensive gas station with limited hours. Food en route is roadside stands (banana bread, fruit, shave ice, fish tacos) that are cash-friendly and close by late afternoon; Hana has a general store and a few small eateries. Carry water and snacks.
Road Conditions
Roughly 620 curves and around 59 bridges, many of them one-lane requiring drivers to yield to oncoming traffic. Many blind hairpins; speeds often drop to 10 to 15 mph. Pavement is generally good but narrow with sheer drop-offs and no guardrails in places. Falling rocks and occasional flooding after heavy rain. Cell coverage is spotty to nonexistent through the middle section. Let faster local drivers pass at pullouts. The southern continuation (Pi'ilani Hwy 31) past Kipahulu has rough, partly unpaved sections.
Best Season to Drive
Drivable year-round; there are no seasonal or winter closures on this coastal route. It is wettest in winter (November to March) when waterfalls run fullest but flash flooding and rockfall are more likely. Late spring through early fall (April to September) brings drier, more stable conditions. Start at dawn any season to avoid traffic and afternoon clouds.
RVs & Trailers
A standard car is fine for the paved Pa'ia-to-Hana stretch. RVs, trailers, and large vehicles are strongly discouraged and impractical on the one-lane bridges and tight hairpins; some rental agreements prohibit the unpaved back road (Pi'ilani Hwy 31) entirely. There are no posted vehicle-length closures — maneuverability, not a size limit, is the constraint.
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