Road to Hana, Maui | The Best Mile Markers to Stop At
Road to Hana is a 65 mile drive on the east side of Maui. This is one of the most iconic Hawaiian drives, offering waterfalls to swim in, rainbow eucalyptus trees, incredible views, and so much more. This is a once-in-a-lifetime drive that you have to add to your list of things to do in Maui. There are countless stops to make on the road but below is my list of the biggest highlights you should hit if you have time.
Road to Hana Tips
Tip 1: Leave early in the morning (with a full tank of gas) so that you have enough time to make the drive all the way down and loop back around before it gets dark. Pending how many stops you make and the duration at each one, this is an all-day event. I personally couldn’t make it all the way to end despite arriving to the start of Hana around 10AM.
Tip 2: If you are prone to car sickness, take some medication before or get these funky glasses which prevent feeling ill. The roads are extremely windy with over 600 turns and 59 one-lane bridges on this drive.
Tip 3: Download The Shaka Guide app to get a guided audio tour during your drive if you want to learn more history to ensure you don’t miss any of the key spots along the drive.
Tip 4: There are incredible views along the entire drive even if they aren’t marked as an official stop. Remember, the Road to Hana is about the journey and not the destination. Give yourself the flexibility to stop at random turnouts to take in the beauty of the area. These were some of the breathtaking views we saw along random points in the road:
Hana Mile Markers
Ho’okipa Lookout and Sea Turtle Beach (Before Mile 0)
As you start onto the road to Hana, the first point you’ll come to is Ho’okipa beach. When we came, there was a massive surf competition going on. I recommend making this a quick stop to see the view and use the bathroom before starting on the official drive.
Twin Falls (Mile Marker 2)
Twin Falls will be the first major stop on the Road to Hana and is one of the easier hiking paths. You’ll park in the designated lot in front, which does cost $10 as this is on private land. You’ll walk through the path in the forest and quickly come across the lower of the twin falls on the left hand side. If you continue walking up the path, you’ll then find an entrance down to upper falls which is mostly a rock climb down. As an inexperienced hiker, I was OK doing this part but took my time to ensure my footing was good on a lot of the rocks. Then you’ll walk through the creek and come into the waterfall pictured above. Make sure you hop in for a swim!
Waikamoi Waterfall (Mile Marker 9.9)
This waterfall is just a minute walk away from the road! The turnout is small so you may need to park further down the road or wait for cars to clear out. After walking down to the lower falls, you’ll come up to a swim pool with a rope swing and cliff jumps. If you’re dream is to jump into a waterfall in Hawaii, this is the must-see waterfall for you. The energy here was incredible when we went with everyone cheering for each person jumping in. Make sure to also do the short hike up to the Upper Falls afterwards to see the top of this waterfall!
Kaumahina State Wayside Park (Mile Marker 12)
This is a 7.8 acre park, but the key item to do here is to stop and checkout the view if you plan to make it all the way down the road to Hana. This viewpoint offers breathtaking views of the ocean, highlighting the road and views you’re about to see as you continue the drive. There are also public restrooms here.
Ke’anae Arboretum | Rainbow Eucalyptus Forest (Mile Marker 16)
This is a 0.6 mile walk that takes you into the forest to admire the tropical flowers and plants living here. There are over 150, with the most famous being the rainbow eucalyptus trees. if you skip the grove of Eucalyptus tress off the side. ofthe road around mile marker 7, definitely stop here on your drive!
Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread (Mile Marker 16)
There are numerous food stops throughout the drive, but this is the absolute communal favorite. This banana bread is famous on the Road to Hana, and once you try it you’ll understand why. It’s also a great energy pick-up after swimming in waterfalls.
Wailua Valley State Wayside Lookout (Mile Marker 19)
To the right of the parking lot, you’ll see a step of stairs which take you to this incredible lookout point. On one side, you’ll have a view of the windy Hana road with the ocean backdrop. On the other side, you’ll have this viewpoint of Wailua valley. Make sure to keep an eye out for this one as it’s easy to pass by mistakenly! This is one of the more hidden and sudden stops.
Waikani Falls (Mile Marker 19)
This waterfall is one of the more difficult ones to get to with no specific parking lot or turnout to park here. I advise parking at the nearest turnout further down the road and walking back carefully.
Pua’a Ka’a Falls (Mile Marker 22.5)
These two waterfalls are a part of Pua’a Ka’a State Park. There is a paved trail to each of the falls, making them very easily accessible. There are also restrooms and picnic tables in the area which makes this a great place to stop for lunch.
Hana Lava Tube (Mile Marker 31)
The lava tube on the road to Hana is one of the coolest spots on the drive. The tube was formed 960 years ago by molten lava ejecting towards the ocean. There is a self-guided tour you can opt for, which costs $15 and takes about 40 minutes. You’ll be given a flashlight to explore the dark tube. Open from 10:30am – 4pm daily.
Waianapanapa | Honokalani Black Sand Beach (Mile Marker 32)
This beach is located in Waiʻānapanapa State Park, which requires a reservation and costs $10 per vehicle. You’ll need to turn. off the highway onto Waianapanapa Road to enter the park. This beach is one of the most famous in all of Maui, with black sand formed from volcanic lava shattering once hitting the sea.
Kaihalulu | Red Sand Beach (Mile Marker 35)
This one of the only true red sand beaches in the world, making this a must see stop on your road to Hana. The red color comes from the Ka’uiki head which erodes iron onto the beach. The 0.5 mile trail to get here is a bit more difficult than any of the others on this list, making it less suitable for children or those with mobility issues. You’ll need to bring proper shoes to maintain balance on the fast-eroding trail that has some steeper jumps. Note that this beach is “clothing optional”.
Wailua Falls (Mile Marker 45)
This is arguably the most iconic waterfall in Maui, and definitely one of the most photographed. This 80 foot waterfall falls down the jungle wall is impossible to miss even from the road. You’ll find many people swimming, local vendors, and great energy here. This is truly the highlight of the road to Hana that you cannot miss!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive to Hana?
The road is 52 miles along so about 104 miles roundtrip. Note that this doesn’t include any distance it takes from your hotel to the start of the drive.
Is there gas along the road to Hana?
There are no gas stops along the road so make sure that you have a full tank of gas before starting!
What should I wear?
I recommend bringing waterproof shoes so that you can bring them into the waterfalls where the floor is extremely slippery rocks. Also bring a rain jacket because it rains almost every day here in some parts!
Is there food along the road?
Yes! There are great food spots along the road to Hana.
Is the road to Hana dangerous to drive?
Yes and no. If you drive slowly and adhere to the oncoming traffic, the road is safe. Many of the edges are cliffside so it is not the place to be driving fast or over-confident.