More! Paia is a small, laid back town on the Northshore of Maui. Yes, it's curvy, and yes, you do need to be careful around blind curves, but it's paved all the way and not bad to drive. Check out these Hana guides to assist you on your travels. While most of the road has been repaved in the last twenty years, Hawaii Route 200 still has a dangerous reputation. And finally, someone with little experience outside of their comfort zone, someone who driving is an anxious experience for in the best of times would just fond the road far too much. Besides that, I just dont think youre going to make that much of a difference on the crowd levels at each stop by doing it in reverse. Bring cash: most places on this part of the island dont except credit cards. Mostly this stems from rumors (I like to call it an urban legend, hmm maybe Ill call it a jungle legend lol) about it being illegal to take rental cars back this way. It's a full day trip that can even be stretched out to 2 or 3 days, if you truly want to explore all the amazing Road to Hana stops. Bottom line: read the actual fine print of your contract and know YOUR situation with your personal insurance and dont just go on hearsay. SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI The steep valleys encrusted in the jungle start off the imagination and you half expect to bump into a Dinosaur. I'll add, no, the late afternoon shouldn't be an especially dangerous time to drive the road (but it will take longer than 2 hours from the start of the RTH, let alone Kaanapali); you absolutely don't need a 4X4 (I prefer smaller (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 8. Below you'll find detailed information about the road to Hana, local tips, video, photos, & the latest updates. I probably would not go to West (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It has an arid quality. They all flow directly into each other, but they have their own mile markers, which are crucial navigation points on this beautiful rainforest drive. Hopefully, we can help allay some of these fears? There are 620 bends, many of them extremely sharp or hairpin turns, over the course of that 64 miles. Bring ones you don't mind getting muddy. This is a great place to stop to fuel up with gas, grab a coffee or a hot meal. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Fewer tourists lodge here than in other Maui locales, and in the morning it is quiet and peaceful. The backside of Hana has some one lane graded dirt roads and rusty guardrails so the drive requires extra caution. Road to Hana. How long is Hana Highway? Want to read more? But in general, I did not think the Road to Hana was dangerous or scary. Its worth a stop if you have time. The back road to Hana starts in Kula town about 15 minutes past Makawao, one of Maui's most charming towns. Encourage them to take things easy and to explain themselves when driving. How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? At this historic store you can purchase snacks and use a restroom if you are a customer. It sounds a little more intense than it is. I personally dont like to be on the road after dark at all, but once I make it to Kula (really even Ulupalakau), its fine driving back in the dark. Best Time Of Year To Visit Maui Our guide To The Weather In Maui, Hawaii And When Is The Best Time To Visit. Click here to check rates for your trip. I certainly wouldn't go all the way to Kaanapali then drive to Hana. It's windy contains 65 hairpin switchbacks, 600 sharp turns, and 59 one-lane bridges. Anytime you start toward Hana after lunch you will start meet cars headed toward you and that will slow you down on the 59 one way bridges. 808/572-1693), a good stop for drinks or snacks for the ride. The road is very comfortable for one car to drive on, the problem comes when you pass another car. Outside of this section, the road is more inland, wider, slightly less bendy, and on the whole pretty sedate. It has 600+ curves, and many of them are hairpin. It really is just better for everyone to pull over and just let less patient people past. Side Note: If youre looking for a rental car for your trip, I LOVE Discount Hawaii Car Rentals. The problem is we all confront fears in a different way. Just three of the many many reasons to love the Road to Hana. Accidents are common and you may be more likely to have a small bump, brush a wall/banking, or get stuck in a ditch than regular highways, but you are less likely to actually injure yourself than on most roads in Hawaii. The first lookout on the left is Koki Beach overlook but you can skip this and continue to Hamoa Beach further ahead. Travel Tip: Since the roads are sketchy at points, some rental companies do not want you driving through this area of Maui. Road To Hana (Maui) - Toughest Section DrMKC 739 subscribers 56K views 7 years ago This is the dashcam video of the toughest 30 minutes on the famous Road to Hana in Maui. Does the inside lane/outside lane play more into the safety of it than the road conditions themselves? It includes 59 bridges during . Three Bears Falls. You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. This towns contains the Ulupalakua Ranch Store. So most people drive the Road to Hana as a day trip, as an out-and-back drive. I guess depending on what youre most interested in seeing/doing you could try this, but here are my thoughts: I strongly recommend driving the Road to Hana the right way or clockwise from Paia for a couple of reasons: 1) youll be on the inside lane the whole way around (no hugging the tight shoulder where theres a 200 foot drop off mere feet away from your tire) which is a bigger deal when youre driving on the road past Hana. What are your fears and doubts? The tours use GPS to offer turn-by-turn directions and audio narration with stories and music. However, many people who do not get caught up in the hype head to the road and come away scarred with tales of doom and dread of a hells highway that is near impossible to drive! Finally, the highlight of the back road to Hana is the Kipahulu entrance to Haleakala National Park. . They will be miserable. By far the majority of people turn around once they reach Hana and drive the same road back to Paia. I know it may sound tempting but swimming under the falls is dangerous as rocks get unlodged and fall from the top of falls which can knock you in the head. The Road to Hana actually goes beyond the town of Hana, all the way to Haleakala National Park. Four wheel drive is 100% NOT necessary for driving the backside of Hana. Every time we come we think we will skip it this time, but instead find some reason to make the pilgrimage. The trailhead is located after the bridge on your left. NEW YORK It REALLY isnt a bad road. There is almost nothing about the drive that causes anxiety in us. It's one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Plus, if you sign up through my link, youll get 50,000 bonus points to use which depending on where youre flying from and when, that could be TWO FREE TICKETS TO HAWAII. Drive with caution and be very aware at all times. (And maybe beyond!). 3 hrs from the airport. This means you are taking all the risk when driving the reverse road to Hana. The first is one we dont advise. This is a great place to use the restroom and grab snacks/food for a picnic somewhere on the road. There are no straight sections to this drivethe curves are constant. But having an accident and being stuck out in the jungle is a real Vacation Wrecker! BRYCE CANYON UT It sounds like its changed a lot since you drove it, sounds more fun like that! (try our Is the Road to Hana Worth it or Hana Highway Guide for more detailed descriptions). You can read Road to Hana tour reviews on getyourguide. Full Gas Tank - You most likely won't need a whole tank, but just in case. GULF ISLANDS FL The road is endlessly winding and many corners are seriously blind. You dont really need a touring plan for the order of how to hit all your must see spots. But is the Road to Hana any more or less dangerous than other roads in Hawaii, the Mainland, or anywhere else in the world? What we wanted to do in the west was bathe in the waters of Kanapali (which we hear is a world class beach) and maybe (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Need to stay under a fixed budget? The Road to Hana, also known as the Hana highway, is a 64.4 mile-long stretch of Hawaii routes 36 and 360 with connects Kahului with the town of Hana in east Maui. the answer is an unequivocal YES! The sheer remoteness of the area also plays on the mind. The Shaka guide tours are great for independent explorers who want the freedom to explore on their own terms, but like to learn about the spots theyre visiting. On an island full of beautiful scenery, the Road to Hana is among Maui's most gorgeous attractions. It was quite an experience with three kids in the back seat. Just curious why do you feel this to be a better choice than enjoying a couple hours at the beach first? I have sprinkled some affiliate links in this post. ), read my reviews of staying at the Four Seasons and the Fairmont Kea Lani. Yes, it is remote, but there are hundreds of people driving the road, day and night, you are not going to be alone and stranded, even if you have to stop in a cell black spot. Set Aside Multiple Days. 7) I hear it's a far worse drive when it rains - are roads likely to be washed out in early August? It gets pretty windy! Alternatively, you may use. We hoped to stop at the garden of eden but it had a long line of cars so we kept going, we made a reservation at the black sand beach. Just indicate into one of the MANY pull-outs and let them by. Know that theres a possibility that youll have to reverse if a car is coming in the opposite direction. The Road to Hana (aka the Hana Highway) does not dead-end, so instead of turning around, it is possible to keep driving. An out and back drive if you will. Ahhh, the backwards Road to Hana. If you have a solid plan for where you want to stop and you just keep moving along, youll stay in front of the crowds all day and youll have a great time. In about the same amount of time as it would take you to go back the way you came, you can see a side of Maui many miss. This being said, travel at your own risk. However, it also comes with a fearsome reputation, and strikes fear into the hearts of many. Here they sell fresh fruits, smoothies and coffees all grown locally on their farm. You cant enjoy the drive with a angry local right up your back side, let them be on their way and you can relax! GRAND TETON WY More posts about where to stay on Maui: Trying to figure out where to stay on Maui? After walking it, I did not have any regrets in deciding not to drive the back road to Hana! Safer and more dangerous parts of Road to Hana Jul 16, 2022, 5:27 PM Save Hi, We are planning a trip to Hana on Aug 7. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-114352867', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars on the tight turns and one-lane sections); you're extremely unlikely to drive off the edge so long as you pay attention and don't speed; you don't want to take the southern (backside) road (it's at least as hazardous and a longer route to the airport). If you ask them directly, theyll hem and haw (they give you the strong impression that its forbidden) but basically what it comes down to is they wont come and get you if you have a problem.. This is also the scary part of the Road to Hana. Maui Tourism Guide Our Guide to Travel and Tourism on Maui Hawaii, Maui, Hawaii Attractions All the Best Things to do in Maui, Hawaii, Best Place to Stay on Maui, Hawaii Our Guide on Where to Stay in Maui, Hawaii. What are you wanting to do west? There's a great souvenir shop here, and also a wide selection of food varying from island style tacos to kalua pork to classic hotdogs or mac 'n cheese! Mile Marker 2 Hana Highway (360) Twin Falls. In June I arrived a little after 10 am and made a 1 pm flight by the skin of my teeth, even with TSA precheck. It is not hard to see why either, this stunning highway runs through pristine rainforest, past numerous world-class waterfalls, and has more jaw-dropping vistas per mile than any other piece of tarmac in the world. Whatever you have to say just drop us a comment below. Assume about 45 minutes of direct driving time from Lahaina to Kahului, then another 2.5 hours (53 miles at 25mph), plus stops on the Road to Hana itself. Locals can be a problem as they are generally a lot more confident on the road and view the tourist as a major inconvenience. So, you will want to look into driving the back road to Hana further to see if you feel comfortable with it! The Scariest thing I have ever had to confront in my lifeMy wedding speech! Even though the road covers a relatively short distance, the turns and low speed limits . Check out our favorite Tours here. While a lot of the guides/apps say to try to be the first car in a line while driving through the frontside so you dont have to watch their brake lights too closely while youre looking around, I think the opposite is true when youre driving past Hana. Attracted by the popularized Road to Hana, day-trippers begin to flood in by midday. One of the leading causes of accidental deaths anywhere in the world is Road Traffic Accidents. If you couldnt look out and see the ocean, youd probably think you were in parts of Texas or another western state. Inside this entrance is the Oheo Gulch aka seven sacred pools and one of Mauis most iconic hikes, the Pipiwai Trail. 4 The Road Is Winding. And, they also did do another one-lane road drive on Maui and for that drive, they DID think that the West Mauis back road was scary! The Single file traffic is easily regulated with simple give way systems and you just wait your turn at the give says one each side of the bridge until it is your turn to cross. You have tried and that is all anyone can ask, but if its too much head back. The Surface is pretty well maintained but is often wet, slippery, and covered in jungle debris. If you need road assistance it's cash costing $800-1200 if and when a tow truck comes. Thanks for the great article, we read it AFTER our drive on the road to Hana today. If the (only) road from Kaanapali to central (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Finally Know your limits. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases that gives me a small commission at no extra cost to you if you decided to make a purchase. Is safety as big a concern as some say or is it mostly just up to how nervous or confident a driver is? And we have some questions that we're hoping you lovely folk can help answer: We're planning to drive from Kanapali Beach to Hana about 3pm on Aug 7th, to arrive around 6pm at our lodgings in Hana. Is the Road to Hana Worth it? The Road to Hana is also called the "Divorce Highway". Who thinks of these things? Any single track bridges or narrow one-car sections are marked with Give-way signs and road marking. And then, most people will end the Road to Hana at Hana or Kipahulu. As always, I would never recommend a product or service that I didn't truely believe in. So heres the scenario: people read about long lines of cars, limited parking spaces, and crowded hikes, waterfalls, etc. We are aware for some the road is a terrifying prospect and we are not trying to diminish that. In this article, we take a look at what causes the Roads Fearsome reputation, and ask honestly How Scary is the Road to Hana Really?. . Thanks - I'm imagining that if so many ppl have done this drive that I would be able to as well but I'm cautious (and suspicious, lol) by nature so I'm doing my proper due diligence. Most visitors tend to zip to and from Hana with a checklist of sights to photograph. Preparation is an important part of safety, so make sure to plan your Road to Hana tour ahead of time. We intend to hike for 4 hours or so, and be back on the road at 11 or 11:30am, head to Koki Beach for some food truck food, and continue on to Wai'anapanapa for the black sand beach for a few hours, and be back on the road by 3pm to head back to OGG airport (with no stops) for 5pm to catch our 7pm flight. You can't miss Nahiku Marketplace, just before mile marker 29 on the road to Hana, Maui. The road is such a stunning journey through the most amazing landscape we just want everyone to experience it. WYOMING Is 3pm too late in the day to head out from Kanapali to Hana? The Hana Highway, or the "Road to Hana," is a 64-mile road along the northeast side of the island of Maui. TRAVEL TIP: If you would prefer to follow along to an audio tour I recommend the Shaka Guide! Waipahu, Oahu Harlan Sheppard/Flickr It's long and if driven directly without stopping, it still takes 5 hours to drive. If the Road the Hana is proving scary, that Back route will scare the Bejebous out of you! : @kapenamorgan, What to expect driving the backside road to Hana. If you are enjoying the sights and driving at a leisurely pace, be mindful enough to pull over and let local drivers pass. But there is more to it than that the enduring reputation that this is a dangerous road manifests itself in your mind. LANAI Really the worst thing about it is the Hire Car prohibitions meaning you are uninsured and beyond the reach of the Hire Car Recovery truck (meaning you will have to pay for recovery yourself $$$). The Road to Hana starts in Kahului and ends in Hana. What did you do to mitigate them? Remember if you push on you have to come back this way (or the scarier, riskier back route! If you only have one day, theres still a lot to see, so snap a picture and be on your way. It is then easy to imagine that people from Urban Los Angeles, used to colossal Freeways (which put the fear of God into us!) 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