The Road to Hana: What We Loved, What We’d Skip, and Stops You Shouldn’t Miss

Aloha! 🌺

Thanks so much for stopping by and reading along as we shared our Road to Hana adventure in Maui. From sea turtles and waterfalls to banana bread and winding jungle roads, this day ended up being one of our favorite experiences on the island, and I hope this gives you a few helpful tips if you’re planning to tackle it yourself someday.

If you’re planning a trip to Maui, chances are the Road to Hana is already on your list. People talk about it like it’s just a drive, but it really turns into a full day experience. One minute you’re winding through the rainforest, the next you’re pulling over for waterfalls, ocean views, fresh banana bread, or some random little beach you spotted from the road. There’s always something around the next curve, and by the end of the day we completely understood why people say it’s one of the highlights of Maui.

We recently did the drive during our Maui trip and filmed a vlog for our YouTube channel, Wanderlust with Melissa and Brian. We definitely didn’t stop everywhere because there are SO many places along the route, but we hit several of the well known stops along with a few little hidden moments that ended up being some of our favorites.

Fun Fact: This Maui Trip Was NOT Originally Part of the Plan

Here’s a little backstory about how this entire Road to Hana adventure even happened.

When we originally booked our Hawaii trip, it was honestly kind of last minute. We had flights in and out of Oahu, booked five nights in Waikiki, and already had plenty planned.

But about two nights before we were supposed to fly home, I looked at Brian and said:

“Honnneyyyy... what if we add two extra nights and hop over to Maui and drive the Road to Hana... pleeease?”

Of course, he said yes. (I got a good one! ⬇️)

So we quickly booked the flights, rented a Jeep, and puddle jumped over to Maui for a completely unplanned little side adventure that ended up being one of our favorite parts of the entire Hawaii trip.

We stayed in Ka'anapali, just north of Lahaina, which is still recovering from the devastating fires. And yes... I’m still not fully convinced I’m pronouncing Ka'anapali correctly.

That night we downloaded the Shaka Guide app, planned out our Road to Hana day, set alarms for an early start, and got excited for the adventure ahead.

But what do I remember most about that first Maui night?

The Hula Pie.

If you’ve been to Hawaii, there’s a good chance you already know exactly what I’m talking about. The famous Hula Pie, originally from Duke's Waikiki, might honestly deserve its own blog post. Massive slice of macadamia nut ice cream pie covered in chocolate fudge, whipped cream, cookie crust... absolutely ridiculous in the best possible way.

And somehow that giant dessert felt like the perfect way to kick off our unexpected Maui adventure.

The next morning we got up early in Ka'anapali and even spotted humpback whales on the drive toward Paia before officially starting the Road to Hana. Not a bad way to begin the day.

Start in Paia and Download the Shaka Guide

Once we reached Paia, that’s where the real Road to Hana adventure began. One thing I absolutely recommend is downloading the Shaka Guide app before you go.

This app made the entire experience so much better.

As you drive, the app uses your GPS location to automatically tell you what you’re seeing, where the worthwhile stops are, fun Hawaiian history, legends, cultural information, and even little warnings about tricky roads or areas to skip. It basically turns the drive into a self-guided tour with storytelling along the way. It also helped us decide which stops were worth our limited time and which ones we could pass on.

Cell service can be spotty on the Road to Hana, so make sure you download everything before leaving your hotel.

Ho'okipa Beach Park (Mile Marker 9)

Our first official stop ended up being one of my favorite stops of the day.

Before we even walked over to the overlook, we were laughing at all the wild roosters wandering through the parking lot like they owned the place. Hawaii chickens really are everywhere.

Then we looked down toward the beach and saw SO many sea turtles lined up along the shore. If you know me at all, you already know I love sea turtles, so I was completely obsessed. I’m pretty sure I said “oh my goodness” at least three times in the vlog below. LOL

We also watched kite surfers flying across the water while waves crashed along the beach below. Between the turtles, surfers, ocean views, and the beautiful weather, it was the perfect start to the drive.

Twin Falls (Mile Marker 2)

Twin Falls is one of the earlier waterfall stops along the route and one of the most popular.

One thing to know ahead of time: the parking lot was already completely full by the time we got there, and attendants were motioning cars to keep driving, so we never actually got to stop and experience Twin Falls ourselves. Yet another reminder that starting EARLY for the Road to Hana really does matter.

Garden of Eden Arboretum (Mile Marker 10)

Next up was the Garden of Eden Arboretum.

The scenery here is definitely beautiful and there are several overlooks you’ve probably seen in photos online. That said, there is an admission charge to enter, and for us personally, it felt a little expensive for what you actually get compared to all the amazing free scenery along the Road to Hana itself.

Beautiful? Absolutely.
A must do? Maybe not for everyone.

Ke‘anae Arboretum (Mile Marker 16)

Before stopping for banana bread, we made a quick stop at the Ke'anae Arboretum, which ended up being a really nice little stop along the drive.

The Ke'anae Arboretum is actually the only free dedicated arboretum along the Road to Hana, and unlike some of the larger paid garden stops, this one costs absolutely nothing to visit. There’s free parking, free admission, and an easy paved walking path through lush tropical plants and huge trees.

It’s definitely much smaller and simpler than the Garden of Eden, but one of the biggest highlights here was seeing the gorgeous rainbow eucalyptus trees in person. The colorful bark almost doesn’t look real.

If you’re looking for a quick, easy, free stop to stretch your legs without spending extra money, this is a really good one to add to your day.

Aunty Sandy's Banana Bread (Near Mile Marker 17)

One stop we were VERY glad we made was Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread.

And somehow... we snagged one of the last loaves of banana bread around 1:30 in the afternoon.

That was another big reminder that if you’re driving the Road to Hana, START EARLY. We left around 8:00 AM and probably could have started even earlier. Popular stops, food stands, and parking lots fill up quickly as the day goes on.

If there’s a famous Road to Hana stop you really want to experience, don’t assume it’ll still be available later in the afternoon.

Warm banana bread on the Road to Hana just feels like part of the Maui experience at this point.

Makapipi Falls (Around Mile Marker 25)

This was one of those quick but really pretty waterfall stops right off the road. One of the fun things about the Road to Hana is how many waterfalls you suddenly spot while driving, and this was one worth pulling over for.

Hidden Beach Stop

One of our favorite little moments of the day was finding a small hidden beach along the route and stopping for a few minutes just to take it all in.

That’s really part of the fun of the Road to Hana. Some of the unplanned stops end up being your favorites.

Waiʻānapanapa State Park Black Sand Beach (Mile Marker 32)

If visiting the famous black sand beach is on your must-do list, plan ahead.

We tried to get reservations when we decided to hop over to Maui but it was already completely booked up. This is definitely not one of those stops where you can just decide to go last minute anymore.

If seeing the black sand beach is important to you, make reservations as early as possible before your Maui trip.

Wailua Falls (Around Mile Marker 45)

Wailua Falls was one of the prettier waterfall stops later in the drive and one of the easiest to access. You can see it right from the road, which makes it a great stop if you don’t want a long hike but still want that classic Road to Hana waterfall experience.

There’s also a slippery little path you can carefully climb down that leads to some rocks with a really great photo spot in front of the waterfall. A couple of sweet ladies offered to take our picture while we were down there, but I’m not going to lie... we were all just a little nervous about the drop below us while standing on those rocks. I think you can probably see that on my face in the picture below.

Scenic Lookout Stops Along the Way

Some of the best moments on the Road to Hana happened between the major stops.

We pulled over at multiple scenic lookout points throughout the drive because every few minutes there seemed to be another incredible ocean view, jungle cliffside, or waterfall pouring down through the rainforest.

That’s what makes the Road to Hana so memorable. The drive itself is the experience.

Ending the Day at Hana-Maui Resort

Our Road to Hana day ended at the Hana Maui Resort, and all I can say is... paradise found.

After a full day of winding roads, waterfalls, scenic pull offs, and banana bread stops, arriving there right around sunset felt like the perfect ending to the day. We checked in, took in the incredible ocean views, and immediately wished we had planned more than one night there.

The resort itself felt peaceful, quiet, and completely removed from the busy parts of Maui. The bellman drove us to our room by golf cart, which somehow just added to the whole relaxed Hana experience, then later that evening came back to take us over to a group of local food trucks parked near the hotel for dinner.

It ended up being one of those moments where you finally slow down after a packed day and just sit there thinking, “Yep... this is why people fall in love with Hawaii.”

Did I mention I already can’t wait to go back?

We also have a full video coming soon all about the Hana Maui Resort because it truly deserves its own spotlight.

Dinner from Poke Bob’s food truck finished the night beautifully!

Tips for Driving the Road to Hana

If you’re planning to tackle the Road to Hana, here are a few things we learned that will make your day smoother and a lot more enjoyable:

Start early: We left Ka'anapali around 8:00 AM, but even earlier would have been better. The earlier you start, the easier it is to avoid crowds, sold out food stops, and full parking lots.
Download the Shaka Guide app: This was one of the best things we did all day. It guided us turn-by-turn, explained landmarks and history, and helped us figure out which stops we wanted to prioritize.
Take your time: The Road to Hana is not about rushing to Hana itself. Some of our favorite moments were random scenic pull offs and quick unexpected stops.
Make reservations ahead of time: The black sand beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park requires advance reservations.
Popular food stops can sell out: We barely got banana bread at Aunty Sandy's Banana Bread before they sold out for the day.
Gas up before leaving: Fuel options are limited once you get going. Fill up before starting the drive.
Prepare for the roads: The Road to Hana is full of narrow curves, one-lane bridges, and sharp turns. If someone in your group gets motion sickness, definitely prepare ahead of time.
Bring snacks and water: Food options are scattered and lines can get long.
Check the weather before you go: Conditions can change quickly in different parts of Maui.
Download maps and music ahead of time: Cell service can be spotty throughout the drive.
Wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy: Depending on weather conditions, some waterfall areas can get slippery and muddy.
Don’t try to do everything: You could spend days exploring every stop. Pick your priorities and enjoy the experience instead of stressing over missing something.
Respect locals and the road: Pull over only where allowed and be patient on one-lane bridges.
Pack a towel or change of clothes: Between waterfalls, beaches, and random rain showers, there’s a decent chance you’ll end up wet at some point during the day.

Bonus Maui Tip

One thing we did NOT get to do because of time constraints — and I’m already saying “next time” — is sunrise at Haleakalā National Park.

If you’re visiting Maui and can fit it into your trip, take a morning and go experience sunrise above the clouds at the volcano. Everyone we talked to said it was one of the most unforgettable things they did on the island.

Just know this is another activity you need to plan ahead for. Sunrise reservations are required, and you’ll also want warm clothes because temperatures at the summit can be VERY cold before sunrise, even while the beaches below are warm and sunny.

Final Thoughts

The Road to Hana ended up being one of our favorite days in Maui. It’s beautiful, a little exhausting, sometimes winding and crazy, but completely worth it.

If you want to see the full experience from our perspective, including the waterfalls, sea turtles, scenic stops, banana bread, and all the moments in between, be sure to watch our Wanderlust with Melissa and Brian vlog embedded below.

And if Hawaii is on your travel wish list, I’d love to help you plan it. Maui is one of those places that stays with you long after you get home.

Mahalo for reading! ~Melissa

Melissa@wandersbymelissa.com | WANDERSBYMELISSA.COM | 601-540-7336