The Road to Hana is definitely a bucket-list item in Maui. Though it can feel a bit precarious to drive at times (thanks to the 600-plus turns, winding roads with one lane bridges, and rocky cliffs) you simply haven’t seen Maui if you haven’t driven The Road to Hana.

The 64.4-mile road is embedded with high jungle cliffs plunging into the sea, revealing panoramic Pacific Ocean views, bamboo forests, Norfolk pines, sacred waterfalls, swimming holes, lava tubes, tropical flowers, and seasonal roadside food stands.

So now that you’ve got a sense of what The Road to Hana awaits, I’m going to take you through a little self-made guide on where I recommend you stop, what you should consider to skip and how to prepare to make the most out of your trip!

Leave early!

The Hana Highway is a long stretch of road connecting Kahului with the town of Hana in East Maui. The entire drive takes about 2.5 hours to drive through without any stops. However, there are lots of stops on the road to Hana that you don’t want to miss, so plan accordingly and leave early (I suggest hitting the road by 8:00am).

Worried you might miss some stops?

Most of the stops are marked out by Road to Hana mile markers, but these aren’t always clearly marked! A local recommended for us to download the Shaka Guide app to help lead us on our visit. Not only did the app give us verbal directions but it was a mixture of narration and music for the occasion. With the app, you’ll find hidden waterfalls, secret jungles and panoramic views of sparking coastline. Basically, the most beautiful and sought after Road to Hana stops. I highly recommend downloading the app if you want to make the most out of your road trip (P.S - It’s an offline map which is kind of useful since there is no cell service along the ride!)

The Road to Hana best stops

As I’ve mentioned, most of the stops are marked, so make sure you keep your eye out on the side of the road for mile markers. For some of the more popular stops, you’ll notice cars lined up by the side of the road, while for others you will have to keep your eye out for. Keep in mind if you do pass a stop by accident, just move on because there are a lot more to see, trust me! The point isn’t to ACTUALLY reach Hana, but to take in all the gorgeous sights along the way!

Now most of the big waterfalls are later on in the drive, so for the first hour or so, just enjoy the road and get as far along as you can to keep the crowds behind you. Also a little tip, if you want to do the Pipiwai stream trail at the end, you need to carve out an extra 3-4 hours!

1. Pa'ia Town

As a hippie-surfer town since the 1970s, Pa’ia is a gorgeous place to stop at on your morning drive to Hana (or for an amazing dinner on your way back home). It’s also the first and last place to fill up along the Road to Hana. The next gas station will be in the town of Hana. So I recommend to fill up here, even if your tank is half full. Yes its only 64.4 miles but its slow moving with lots of stops, so you will use up more gas.

TIP - To really absorb the bohemian/hippy vibe this little town elicits, save this stop for your drive back! If you are thinking of stopping for dinner in Paia, I recommend The Flatbread Company for an amazing wood-fired flatbread!

2. Mile Marker 6.7 Na’ili’ili-Haele Stream & Waterfalls

Skip Twin falls and head for Na’ili’ili-Haele! The hike is moderately easy, except it can be muddy and slick so plant your feet and go slow! The hike follows a lush bamboo forest revealing two waterfalls along the way!

3. Mile Marker 16.7 — Ke’anae Arboretum

This botanical garden is a great stop for identifying all the local plants and trees that you will see during your Hawaiian Travels (our favorite being the famous Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees!)

4. Mile Marker 17.4 Halfway to Hana Snack Stop

Step out, stretch your legs and grab some homemade banana bread. What outsiders may not know, is that Maui has a sweet culinary secret: It’s famous for what many consider to be the world’s best banana bread. This goes back to Hawaii’s history of bananas and the simple fact that bananas grow best in the tropics. So give Hana’s banana bread a try, you won’t regret it!

5. Secret Waterfall

The “secret” waterfall named Wailuaiki Falls can be found on the right side, near the mile marker 21 on the Hana Highway. The reason for why this hidden gem is considered to be “secret” is because the property belongs to the East Maui Irrigation (EMI) company, and accessing it without permission is considered to be trespassing. However, the EMI company does not seem to be regularly enforcing the access point to the hiking trail, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it! I highly recommend visiting this waterfall, and if you’re lucky you might even get the entire place to yourself!

6. Mile Marker 23 - Lava Tubes

You may or may not have noticed this stop on your drive (most tourists don’t) but the hidden Lava tube can be found on the right side of the road after the mile marker 23. This 240-ft cave takes some stooping to enter but that didn’t scare us away.

7. Mile Marker 32 – Wai’napanapa State Park

Wai’anapanapa, translates to “glistening water” or “water flashing rainbow hues”, both which are pretty accurate in describing the powerful contrast between the black, pebble lava field and the deep blue-greens of the Ocean!

You can spend roughly an hour exploring this strikingly beautiful Black Sand Beach, named Pai’iloa beach in Hawaiian. There are also hiking trails that take you to some incredible sea arches, blowholes, lava tubes and stunning views of the rocky East Maui coastline.

8. Hana

Hana itself is a sleepy, authentic Hawaiian town with friendly people and beautiful scenery. Many people say Hana is somewhat of a let-down once they have finally arrived, but just keep in mind, it’s not about the destination but the journey!

9. Past Hana Haleakala National Park - Seven Sacred Pools and Pipawaii Trail

Located in the Kipahulu District of the Haleakala National Park,’Ohe’o Gulch is a must-see on the Road to Hana. The cascading freshwater pools stream down directly into the ocean, making this a perfect swimming spot

Finally! Hiking the Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls was my favorite part of our Maui vacation. If walking through a tropical rainforest, standing below a giant Banyan Tree and seeing a 400-foot waterfall is part of your bucket list, then make sure to save some time for the Pipiwai Trail.