Road to Hana Itinerary
Our Road to Hana Itinerary will help you to plan the perfect day exploring the Road to Hana.
The Road to Hana is the A-number-one must do while on Maui. and in Hawaii as a whole.
And there’s a good reason for this: it’s a 64.4 mile excursion by car through a lush rainforest, waterfalls, ocean views, rainbow eucalyptus trees, a rich variety of plant and animal life amongst gorgeous beaches. It is a nature lover’s playground.
There are countless stops along the way that make those 64 plus miles fly by! Read below for tips for the best journey to Hana.
What to Do Before You Head out on Road to Hana:
Here’s your checklist before you get going on the Road to Hana.
First thing’s first, rent a car and gas up, you have a big day ahead of you.
Then, fuel for you – get all the snacks for the road. If you are an early riser, grab some food in the morning for your long drive and perhaps something to help with car sickness if you get dizzy.
If you are like us and can not wake up early no matter how hard we try- stock up the night before.
Next, coffee. Stop on your way for Kona Coffee – any coffee stand or coffee shop you find is sure to be amazing. If you are staying in Lahaina, there are tons of coffee options on Front Street. Check out our Maui Guide for more recommendations!
This one’s important: download the Gypsy Guide app on your smartphone. This app provides a narrator who tells amazing stories and has goofy puns galore. They will be your tour guide and help you know when a stop is coming up. It is honestly a must-have! It will help give directions to each stop (even when you have no service) and explain the different stops and why you’re stopping there.
It will teach you all about the Road to Hana, the best sites, trails, things to do and the history filled with epic stories about Hawaii and the island of Maui. This is a must for a successful Road to Hana trip!
Dress the part. You will need good hiking shoes with good traction for slippery and rocky terrain. Grab a rain jacket in case it rains. After all, you are in a rainforest.
Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan on swimming in the beach or water holes under the waterfalls. Pack a bag or fanny pack to carry your essentials such as water, protein bars or other snacks, sunscreen, phone or camera, and any other essentials you may need as you hike the trails!
Hit the road (to Hana)!
Road to Hana is long. It’s windy. You might get dizzy. And it’s awesome.
There are some many spectacular sites and views, along with some fun food shacks and little stores. You’ll have plenty of activities, including a tropical garden to meander through, black sand beaches, and great hiking trails.
Ready to head out? Here’s everything to do while making the day-long journey to and from Hana on Maui.
Be sure to stop at the following points of interest.
Twin Falls – Twin Falls has a wonderful hike and waterfalls and don’t forget to get banana bread from a farm stand.
Ke’anae Peninsula – rugged coastline, arboretum (rainbow eucalyptus) and Aunt Sandy’s banana bread. There are lots of other banana bread stops you can stop at along the way that are delicious!
Garden of Eden – Garden of Eden has 26 acres of trails through lush foliage, tropical plants, rainbow eucalyptus trees, waterfalls and wildlife. This was one of my favorite stops. There are bathrooms here as well. Tw
Rainbow Eucalyptus Tree – Stop at mile marker 7 and pull to the side. You will most likely see others doing the same- follow the crowd or the small trails that will lead you to large breathtaking rainbow eucalyptus trees. There are more Eucalyptus trees than the other stops we saw and most definitely worth the stop.
Pu’a Ka’a State Wayside Park – There is a waterfall and a pool below to swim located in 5 acres of rainforest. There is a bathroom here as well making it a great stop.
Wai’anapanapa State Park has black sand beach, caves, tidepools, panoramic views and walking trails. We did not make it hear because we missed our reservation (they were doing reservations due to covid) and we’re so sad to not have enough time to stop. It looks unbelievable!
If you have the time I would recommend stopping and enjoying the black sand beach, trails, and all the wonders the Wai’anapanapa State Park has to offer! Note: At the time of this writing (September 2022) advanced bookings are still required to visit Wai’anapanapa State Park.
Hamoa Bay – Hamoa Bay and the Hamoa Beach is a great beach to stop and take a break. We did not make it here but it looks to be a gorgeous stop.
Wailua Falls is an impressive waterfall and worth the stop. You can even see it from the road! You can also hike down and even swim in the pool that the waterfalls cascade into. Be sure to be careful of rocky or slippery spots.
How to Wrap Up Your Trip on Road to Hana
Here’s something you might find surprising: Hana itself is fairly quaint. Apparently, some people expect an extravagant tourist attraction here, but it’s really just a quiet island village with lots of color and character. Don’t expect bustling streets or a big party welcoming you.
After you have finally made it to Hana, explore for a bit, it’s time to head back.
We drove around Hana and although it was cute we didn’t find anything too amazing to stop for. The Road to Hana is the main attraction. You’ll want to head back before it gets dark due to the dark, windy roads and in time to grab dinner. Remember restaurants close early in Maui – even the Taco Bell.
Once you make it back you can go to the many restaurants in Lahaina or even order take out if you are just wiped like we were after Road to Hana.
The Road to Hana was one of our very favorite things in Maui! Leave yourself lots of time and start in the morning 8 or 9 to give yourself plenty of time to make all the stops and really enjoy all it has to offer and it has a LOT to offer.
Remember the stops are why you do the Road to Hana and take the time to hike the trails, see the gardens, and swim in the waterfalls and beaches. For us, it was one of our top travel memories. Enjoy the incredible journey and soak it all in!
Planning the rest of your Hawaii Trip? Check our our Ultimate Guide to Hawaii, Maui Travel Guide, Road to Hana Guide and The Big Island Travel Guide.
