Driving the Road to Hana
The most popular driving destination in Maui is Hana. There are many questions we're regularly asked about the Road to Hana that we'll answer below. Also, see some helpful Road to Hana tips, as well as a mile-by-mile guide of the Road to Hana.
Which Maui rental car companies will allow you to drive the Road to Hana?
Most all rental car companies on Maui will allow you to drive to Hana. Driving the backside of Haleakala, past Oheo Gulch, goes against most Maui rental car agreements. This is a moot point due to the road being closed after the heavy rains in 2007. The best parts of driving to Hana are between Paia and Seven Sacred Pools, so it shouldn't be an issue.
Is a 4 Wheel Drive necessary to drive the Road to Hana?
4WD is not neessary in making the drive to Hana. If you plan on going off of the Highway, you may need one due to muddy unpaved roads, but you're not likely to do this.
I see people wearing I survived the Road to Hana T-shirts. Is the Hana Highway that dangerous?
Though the winding, cliffy road to Hana is more dangerous than most, the reasons for its infamy come from its history. A couple decades ago, the Highway was poorly paved and unsafe. It had potholes, weak old bridges and missing guardrails. With the inception of heightened tourism, the Road to Hana is well paved and safer than ever. Dangers still exist though. Being subject to constant rainfall, the road is wet in many areas along the drive. This combined with high cliffs, low-visibility hairpin turns, narrow roads, speeding locals, and gawking tourists can make this road treacherous. Make certain that the driver is watching the road. Switching off is the best way to ensure a safe and pleasurable drive.
Do I need to leave at 8 am, like all the guidebooks suggest, in order to get the most out of the Road to Hana?
With thousands of cars driving this road everyday, it's difficult to say. On one hand, it's a shame to leave with the pack. On the other, the road is long and takes time to drive. Coming back in the dark is pointless. If it's dark when you drive back, you'll miss the reason for driving it at all. It's best to leave early, even if it means driving with everyone else. Make sure to stop and enjoy the view when you get backed up. Pull over and take advantage of your senses.