3-day, 2-night Road to Hana road trip

Driving the Road to Hana at your own pace and discovering Maui's most beautiful and inaccessible corners should definitely be on your bucket list when planning your trip to Hawaii's most romantic island.

Here is how to organize your visit to enjoy it without stress or crowds.

How to organize your trip along the Road to Hana

When to go

The time of year doesn't matter. If you are going to Maui, you have to see the island's most inaccessible side with your own eyes.

If you take the typical route along the Road to Hana, you will start at dawn, drive from Paia to Hana for about 3 hours in heavy traffic (everyone else is doing the exact same thing), make several mandatory stops along the way, and head back at sunset with traffic jams very similar to the ones you ran into on the way there.

I suggest a crowd-free alternative that actually works:

• Head towards Hana after lunch, around 12:00-14:00 noon. You will notice that traffic is much lighter at that time.
• Only make short stops, nothing that requires hiking. You want to reach your destination while there is still daylight.
• Spend the night in Hana or nearby.
• The next day, get up early and explore the surrounding area while there are still few tourists around: Pipiwai Trail, 'Ohe'o Gulch, Black Sand Beach Park, Hamoa Beach, Kahanu Garden, the lava tubes, etc…
• Spend another night at your accommodation.
• On the third day, make your way back along the Road to Hana at a relaxed pace starting first thing in the morning. Take advantage of this time to stop at other spots along the way that you didn't have time to see on the way in. There will be people there, but hardly any traffic in your lane.

Where to sleep

The price of hotels in Hana and the surrounding area is quite high due to low supply and high demand. So, if you want to stay in a hotel, I recommend booking well in advance.

If you are on a tighter budget (like we were), take a look at the listings on Airbnb.

We booked the apartment Relaxing Oceanfront getaway in Hana for €267/2 nights.

These are two rustic semi-detached oceanfront houses rented separately. Each one has a bedroom, a full bathroom (washing machine included), a kitchen/living room with everything you need, and, best of all, a lanai or terrace to enjoy sunsets and breakfasts to the sound of the waves.

Don't expect any luxury, just an authentic, local spot away from the crowds. You might spot a bug or two (I didn't, although I read several reviews mentioning it). This is totally normal, as the place is surrounded by nature. In fact, that's part of its charm.

Of course, if you really can't stand bugs, you will need to look for other options.

Communication with the owners is minimal to none, but don't worry. You will find your name on the apartment door, the keys on the entrance table, and plenty of practical information inside the apartment.

You won't need anything else, you have just arrived in a natural paradise.

Looking for something even cheaper? There are several campgrounds, like the ones you will find next to Black Sand Beach and Kipahulu Valley.

Where to Eat

We bought 3 days' worth of groceries at the organic supermarket Mana Foods in Paia. And the best part is that they serve freshly prepared hot meals. For $12/person, we had enough for lunch and dinner on the first day: grilled veggies, rice, curry tofu, chicken, noodles, green beans… Everything was delicious.

The rest of our basket was filled with fruit, bread, cheese, tomatoes, avocado, spinach leaves, energy bars, and nuts. Everything we needed for the hike we had planned for the next day.

If you forget anything, you will find a general store in Hana, the Hasegawa General Store, with some basic supplies.

We also tried the food from the food truck Ae’s Thai Kitchen. For $14 between the two of us, we had a pad thai that tasted like heaven (the portion size was more than enough).

What to see

Along the road from Paia to Hana and beyond, you will find natural tunnels, trees with endless roots, waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and curves… lots of curves.

Below are the most popular points of interest in order of appearance, although there are plenty of other spots where you will want to pull over and enjoy the scenery:

• Ho’okipa Beach Park – Mile 9 (preceding road).
• Twin Falls – Mile 2 (hiking).
• Waikamoi Ridge Trail – Mile 9.5 (hiking).
• Garden Of Eden Arboretum – Mile 10 ($15).
• Kaumahina State Wayside Park – Mile 12 (views).
• Honomanu Bay – Mile 14 (driving down not recommended, 4×4 required).
• Ke’anae Arboretum – Mile 16.7 (rainbow eucalyptus, free admission).
• Halfway to Hana Stand – Mile 17 (food stand).
• Wailua Valley State Wayside – Mile 18 (views).
• Upper Waikani Falls – Mile 19 (hiking).
• Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park – Mile 22 (waterfalls, hiking).
• Hanawi Falls – Mile 24 (roadside).
• Nahiku Marketplace – Mile 29 (food stalls)
• Hana Lava Tube – Mile 31 ($12, lava tube exploration).
• Kahanu Garden – Mile 31 (Pi’ilanihale Heiau, oldest temple in Hawaii).
• Wai’anapanapa State Park & Black Sand Beach – Mile 32 (free).
• Hana – Mile 34.
• Red Sand Beach – Mile 34 (dangerous to reach).
• Koki Beach – Mile 51 (expert surfers only).
• Hamoa Beach – Mile 50 (suitable for swimming).
• Wailua falls – Mile 45 (roadside).
• Seven Sacred Pools / Ohe’o Gulch – Mile 42 ($10, Haleakala National Park).
• Pipiwai Trail and Waimoku Falls – Mile 42 ($10, Haleakala National Park).
• Palapala Ho’omau Church – Mile 41 (church).

I've bolded the places we visited during our 2-day road trip along the Road to Hana. Want to know if we made the right choices? Here we go.

Our selection

Even though we spent 3 days and 2 nights on the Road to Hana, we didn't see all the sights I just mentioned.

Could we have managed it? Maybe. But you know I prefer to enjoy more with less, or in other words, slow-traveling.

Ho’okipa Beach Park

This gorgeous beach is famous among surfers. If you park at the top, you'll get panoramic views of the coast.

Although, in my opinion, the greatest treasure of this spot lies in the dozens of green sea turtles that come ashore to rest on the sand.

Head down to the beach and walk toward the right-hand corner (facing the ocean).

Watch your step, go slowly. At first glance, they might look like volcanic rocks. Look closely. You'll realize that the shore is actually packed with green sea turtles taking a nap.

You just need to follow the signs, but just in case, here's a quick reminder:

Don't get too close to them or do anything that might disturb them. Their rest on the beach is crucial, both for them to return here and to survive once they head back into the ocean. Plus, Hawaii law is firmly on their side. So, if you want to see them up close, please use your camera zoom.

A true wonder for animal lovers. Naturally, we stopped at this beach twice, once on the way there and once on the way back.

Kaumahina State Wayside Park

While the coastal views from this lookout are truly beautiful, if you're in a rush or on a tight schedule, I don't think it's one of the must-see spots on the Road to Hana.

Hanawai Falls / Wailua Falls / …

Every single waterfall you'll encounter along the way is special:

Cascading drops, volcanic beds, converging rivers, inviting pools ready for a dip…

In short, you'll be tempted to pull over every 5 minutes.

Just try not to hold up traffic when you do. Shoulder parking is scarce and, to top it off, the road often narrows down to a single-lane bridge when crossing over these rivers.

Ke’anae Arboretum

We didn't manage to visit this free botanical garden on our way out, as the entrance gate is heavily camouflaged by the lush vegetation. Also, the parking area is tiny and located on the opposite side of the road.

On the way back, with a bit more time on our hands, we found the access point (marked on the map at the bottom of this page) and managed to see, among many other specimens, the famous rainbow eucalyptus trees (rainbow).

A couple of tips: be careful when crossing the road from the parking area and make sure you bring your mosquito repellent along.

Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach

This one definitely is a must-see stop on the Road to Hana.

A deep blue ocean crashing against a black coast of volcanic rock, with lush greenery adding the perfect finishing touch of color to the picture.

Not a single bad photo came out of it. It didn't matter if the camera shook, the lens got wet from the sea spray, or I pulled a goofy face in the selfie… I've never seen such a photogenic backdrop. So, save the excuses.

If you drive the Road to Hana, you simply have to stop at Wai’anapanapa Black Sand Beach, no question about it.

When we went, access to the beach was closed due to high surf. However, you could still walk around the park and take in the perspective over the coast.

In the parking lot, we spotted several mongooses darting through the trash, boldly scampering away from tourists and brawling among themselves.

And when you put in one place:

Wildlife roaming free + gorgeous location + several days.

Do you know what happens?

That's right, we visited a couple of times! And honestly, it’s easy to see why.

Hana

Aside from strolling along Hana beach, we didn't see much else of this small town:

• We ruled out getting to Red Sand Beach, as the access trail is hazardous.
• We walked to the local grocery store to pick up a few beers.
• We enjoyed the lanai with views at our Airbnb during sunset.

Koki Beach

After hiking the Pipiwai Trail, our plan was to go for a swim at Hamoa Beach, which is great for swimming.

However, around 2 PM, parking near it had become mission impossible, and we had been warned that illegally parked cars were being ticketed. So we just followed the road and ended up at Koki Beach, a spot only suitable for experienced surfers.

To our surprise, we found all the parking we could ever want and discovered a secluded coastline, framed by a gorgeous cliff marbled with reddish earth and rock.

A peaceful haven where the only sound was the steady roar of the waves on the shore.

Pipiwai Trail and the 7 Sacred Pools of O’hoe Gulch

Another must-see recommendation on the Road to Hana? Here you go.

Both are located in the Kipahulu valley, which is part of Haleakala National Park.

If you want all the details, I share the full scoop in the post dedicated entirely to the Pipiwai trail and the 7 sacred pools of O’hoe Gulch.

Video

Fancy a quick under-4-minute tour of the Road to Hana? Here is a preview/teaser, enjoy!

Precautions

• Make sure you have a full tank. You'll find a gas station in Paia and another in Hana (both with higher prices than the rest of the island).
• Drive slowly, enjoying the scenery and pulling over to let trucks or larger vehicles pass.
• In narrow single-lane areas, yield to whoever arrived first and give a friendly wave when someone lets you pass. Don't honk, it's considered rude in Hawaii.
• Don't park in areas where you see broken glass on the ground. It's a very clear sign of what could happen to your car windows.
• Avoid entering private property, even if it just looks like an ordinary forest. Just keep an eye out for signs.

Budget

For our 3 days/2 nights road trip along the Road to Hana, our expenses were:

• Airbnb accommodation: 267€ (66.75€/person per night).
• Entrance fee to Pipiway/O’hoe Gulch: 20$.
• Food: 137€ (supermarkets + prepared food).
• Car rental (3 days): 97,5€ (32,2€/day).
• Gas: 30€ (approximate).

In total, we spent around 550€, 138€ per person per night.

The Maui PDF guide

Want to download all the info from this blog on what to see in Maui and, even better, how to do it in a PDF?

54 pages to help you organize your custom route and enjoy Maui at your own pace.

Interested? Then click here and grab the guide for just €1.95.

Useful links

• Hotel deals in Hana.
• International flight deals to Hawaii: Trabber, eDreams and Momondo.
• 5% discount when you get your IATI travel insurance here.

Road tripping around Maui? Then you'll definitely want to check this out too:

• The full description of our experience at O’hoe Gulch and Pipiway Trail.
• The Haleakala summit and how not to watch the sunrise there.
• The best snorkeling beaches in South Maui.
• Chasing humpback whales off the coast of Maui.
• 7-day Maui road trip.
• Guide to planning a DIY trip to Maui.

Want to explore another Hawaiian island? My recommendation: take a look at Kauai:

• 9-day Kauai road trip, step by step.
• Practical guide to organizing your own trip to Kauai.
• Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.
• Kalalau Trail, Kauai's most demanding trek.
• Awaawapuhi Trail, the Napali Coast at your feet.
• Fly over Kauai in a helicopter… with no doors!
• Kauai's most beautiful beaches: what are you in the mood for today?
• Discover the Napali Coast on a luxury boat.
• Queen’s Bath, forbidden beauty in the Garden of Eden.
• Mahaulepu Trail, hiking, temples, and pristine beaches in Kauai.

And if you're still not sure which Hawaiian island to visit, this post is just what you need.

If you need more tips on how to organize your own Road to Hana road trip, leave me a comment below. I'll be more than happy to help you out.

Map