Driving the Road to Hana — What It’s Actually Like Today

A real-world drive from Kihei to Hana, with perspective from someone who lived there more than 20 years ago.

Quick Take

✔ One of the most scenic drives in Hawaii

✔ Road conditions are better than they used to be

✔ Still feels remote and largely unchanged

✔ Waterfalls, rainforest, and ocean views throughout the drive

✘ Slow travel — expect several hours even without many stops

✘ Narrow sections and one-lane bridges can intimidate nervous drivers

✘ Not the best use of time if you only have one day on Maui

The Road to Hana (Hana Highway) remains one of the most famous scenic drives in Hawaii. The route covers roughly 64 miles with 617 curves and 54 one-lane bridges, passing through rainforest, waterfalls, and coastal cliffs.

What surprised us most on this trip was how little has changed.

After living in Hana more than twenty years ago, we expected a more commercialized experience. Instead, the road and the town still feel much the same — quiet, beautiful, and a little bit removed from the rest of Maui.

At a Glance

Route: Hana Highway (Road to Hana)

Distance: ~64 miles

Drive Time: 3–5 hours depending on stops

Start Point: Kihei → Hookipa Beach → Hana

Our Departure Time: 10:30 AM

Total Drive Time (with stops): ~4 hours

Road Features

• 617 curves

• 54 one-lane bridges

• rainforest and coastal scenery

• waterfalls and scenic overlooks

Vehicle Used: 2025 Chevrolet Malibu rental

Traffic: Lighter than expected for a Friday

Road Condition: Good

Key Details

Start of Scenic Drive: After Hookipa Beach

Destination: Hana Bay (Downtown Hana)

Stops Made

• Hookipa Beach (turtles)

• several waterfalls

• scenic overlooks

• photo stop at the Halfway to Hana stand

Traffic Experience

• light traffic overall

• only a couple tour vans encountered

• about 10–12 one-lane bridge yield situations

Full Report

Starting the Drive

We began our drive in Kihei, heading toward the traditional start of the Road to Hana.

Before beginning the main portion of the drive, we stopped at Hookipa Beach, which is famous for sea turtles resting on the shore.

After leaving Hookipa Beach, the road begins to narrow and wind as it enters the rainforest.

This is where the classic Road to Hana experience really begins.

The Road Itself

The Road to Hana is famous for its:

• 617 curves

• 54 one-lane bridges

• dense tropical rainforest

• waterfalls and ocean views

Much of the road still has the same character it always did — narrow sections, sharp curves, and bridges where only one vehicle can pass at a time.

We encountered about 10–12 situations where drivers had to yield at bridges, which is normal for this road.

Despite the curves, the road felt safe and manageable, and overall road conditions were better than we remembered from years ago.

Traffic and Driving Experience

We drove the road on a Friday, leaving around 10:30 AM.

Traffic was lighter than expected.

We only encountered a couple of tour vans, and overall the pace of travel felt relaxed rather than congested.

Because we lived in Hana years ago, we are very familiar with the road and did not find it stressful.

However, we did notice some visitors who appeared very cautious or intimidated by the curves and narrow sections.

For drivers who are uncomfortable with tight curves or steep drop-offs, riding as a passenger or taking a tour may be more enjoyable.

Scenic Stops Along the Way

One of the best parts of the Road to Hana is the constant scenery.

On this drive we stopped at:

• Hookipa Beach to see sea turtles

• several waterfalls along the highway

• scenic overlooks

• the famous Halfway to Hana stand

The drive passes through lush rainforest with waterfalls appearing around many corners.

Even after driving the road countless times years ago, it was enjoyable to slow down and appreciate scenery we used to drive past.

Arriving in Hana

Our drive ended at Hana Bay in downtown Hana.

Hana Bay in downtown Hana on Maui’s east side — the end of the Road to Hana.

Despite the road’s fame, Hana itself remains a very quiet town.

The biggest changes we noticed were:

• around a dozen food trucks (all in 1 area)

• a handful of small tourist shops

Beyond that, Hana still feels much the same as it did decades ago.

Many people describe Hana as “a town the world forgot about.”

That description still fits surprisingly well.

Living in Hana Years Ago

When we lived in Hana more than twenty years ago, everyday errands required planning.

There are no major grocery stores in Hana, and gas prices are high.

At the time, it took us about:

• 2.5 hours to drive across the island for groceries and gas

• 2.5 hours to drive back

That meant an entire day was often spent on a simple shopping trip every couple of weeks.

Two small convenience stores exist in Hana, but they’re not suitable for regular grocery shopping.

That reality hasn’t changed much.

Driving Tips

If you plan to drive the Road to Hana:

Start Time

Leaving between 9:30 and 11:00 AM can help avoid some of the heavier tour traffic.

Vehicle Choice

A standard car works fine.

We drove the road in a Chevrolet Malibu, which handled the drive easily.

Large SUVs also work but may feel tight in narrow sections where the road is still technically two-way.

Driver vs Passenger

Passengers will see more scenery.

If you’re nervous about curves or drop-offs, a guided tour may be the better option.

Is It Worth the Drive?

There is plenty to see around Hana, including:

• Black Sand Beach (Waiʻānapanapa)

• Koki Beach

• Hamoa Beach

• the Seven Sacred Pools

• waterfalls throughout the area

However, if you only have one day on Maui, spending the entire day driving to Hana and back may not be the best choice.

The drive is beautiful, but it is also time-consuming.

Reality Check

The Road to Hana is beautiful, but it’s not a casual sightseeing drive.

Even without many stops, the trip can take several hours each way. The narrow sections, constant curves, and one-lane bridges require patience and attention. Drivers who are uncomfortable with tight roads or steep drop-offs may find parts of the drive stressful.

Traffic can also slow the experience, especially when tour vans or cautious drivers stack up behind one another.

If you only have one full day on Maui, spending most of it driving may not be the best use of your time.

But if you enjoy scenic drives, waterfalls, and seeing a quieter side of the island, the Road to Hana is still one of the most memorable experiences on Maui.

Final Thoughts

The biggest surprise of our return trip was how little had changed.

The Road to Hana still feels remote and scenic, and Hana itself remains quiet and largely untouched compared to the more developed parts of Maui.

The road conditions are better than they once were, but the experience — winding curves, rainforest scenery, and narrow bridges — remains much the same.

For those willing to take the time, it’s still one of the most memorable drives on Maui.