PICTURED ROCKS MI What are you wanting to do west? For most of the drive, a very narrow road winds through lush, green forests. So glad you are going to get back and finally see it, Finally getting to drive the road after missing out will probably make the journey all the more special! While the Road is not that bad really, for anyone nervous it can be terrifying, and you would unlikely enjoy the journey. So is the road justifiably scary? **Mama's Fish House. Any help is very welcome. I grew up riding ATVs and driving on trails in Colorado (I also drive a Jeep and a 4Runner) so I consider this drive FUN and not at all scary, but I can definitely see how if youre not a confident driver or youve only ever driven in the city it could be stressful. The Road to Hana is one of the most popular things to do in Maui. We know for most people the Hana Highway is fine. Even really confident drivers who have rarely experienced this type of road suddenly find their grip tightening and the beads of sweat forming. Joining a tour will eliminate stress for the driver and passengers, allowing for a more enjoyable experience and guides provide valuable insights about the surrounding area and its cultural history. However, it also comes with a fearsome reputation, and strikes fear into the hearts of many. You can't miss Nahiku Marketplace, just before mile marker 29 on the road to Hana, Maui. Also, youre going to want to decide between staying on the south side or the west side so this post about Wailea vs Kaanapali is golden. Subscribe for Hawaii Travel Tips, my Latest Content and Much More. Its a completely different adventure than driving the front side. If you're leaving from Kaanapali and planning on a one-hour stop en route, yes, 5 hours to Hana. After the viewpoint the road gets narrow to a point that only one car fits. The road is narrow (a generous one lane road with plenty of spots to pull over and let someone pass) and winding and there are quite a few blind corners, but generally speaking, the road also isnt very high up in these portions as it is on the front side. Dont miss it! Read the fine print as driving the back road to Hana, Maui maybreach your rental car agreement or insurance. Narrowed it down to a certain location? Skip it. The Road to Hana is over 50 miles along Maui's rugged north shore and east side with 600+ tight turns and about 50 one-lane bridges. In ancient times most of the Hawaiians lived in this area opposed to current day West Maui or South Maui. However, on the Kahekili Highway, the narrow roads closely hug the edges of their respective cliffs, resulting in topsy roads on some stretches. It will make you feel like your on a wild foreign adventure tho. This towns contains the Ulupalakua Ranch Store. TRAVEL TIP: If you would prefer to follow along to an audio tour I recommend the Shaka Guide! You dont really need a touring plan for the order of how to hit all your must see spots. * *The final 5 stops are on the natural route along the Hana Hwy, but come prior to Mile Marker 0 *. There are plenty of shoulders to pull over, take in Mauis beauty and also take a few pictures. Since you are voiding your contract the rental agency will not come to help. Well sure, there was that one time where I encountered a truck on a more narrow and winding part of the Hana Highway that made my heart skip a beat. This means you are taking all the risk when driving the reverse road to Hana. But, if you do keep driving, you will end up on what is known as the back road to Hana! Read about my favorite luxury resorts, boutique hotels, honeymoon resorts, family friendly resorts, and condos (many under $100/night!). Read more about the backside of Hana Here! Yes, it is long, hard work, challenging, and costs a full day of your vacation along with a precious lie-in, but there is so much beauty and wonder along this little highway it has to be right at the top of your bucket list. The next and last stop until you get to Ulupalakua (Maui Wine and the Ranch Store) is the Kaupo Store. Leave the driving to someone else and enjoy the ride with your family. Pullover for quicker drivers, Take the widest line on blind corners, Give way on the single-lane sections if you are not sure others will. ZION UT This trip takes approximately 7.0 hours to complete and the Road to Hana is considered the 5th most dangerous road in the world. We do not think so. for the most part, it is wide enough for two small buses to pass each other with no issue. Hana Highway, also known as the Road to Hana, runs for more than 64 miles along state Highways 360 and 36, connecting Hana in east Maui with Kahului. And some of those narrow and windy parts of the road are without a guard rail. So the final option is mitigating the fear. While the frontside is super windy and youre in and out of jungles, the backside is flat, wide open, and you can see for MILES. From the grounds you can get a great view of kaupo gap. If you have ANY questions about planning your trip to Hawaii, you can join my free Facebook group here. That is such a shame for you both, but it is understandable, and probably the right decision. 1-2 Week Maui Itinerary, Best Time to Visit: Best Time to Visit Maui. After growing up on these the road to Hana was no problem. Getting Around Maui without a Car Guide to Mauis Public transportation, What Food to Eat in Hawaii? A thirty something adventure seeking, gin loving, sun chasing, temple searching, bikini wearing, outdoor enthusiast who is based on Maui and writes about Hawaii and her adventures abroad. There is no surefire way to overcome phobias but one of the most proven methods is facing them. Quite a few people continue on past Hana to the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park where you'll find the Oheo Gulch (aka Seven Sacred Pools) and the Pipiwai Trailhead. Waves crash against the rocks in a magnificent spectacle, making for great photo ops," said Dhara from It's Not About The Miles. And it truly is fabulous. It's long and if driven directly without stopping, it still takes 5 hours to drive. Google says its 47 mins but Im getting the idea google doesnt know how long these roads really take? **Paia Historic Town. Re: Road to Hana - ACTUALLY dangerous or just kind of scary? GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS TN NC With around 620 turns and 59 narrow bridges, the Road to Hana makes for a legendary drive. Check out our favorite Tours here. You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. Along the way youll see various farm animals, views of Kahoolawe and Molokini the horse shoe shaped atoll. Fewer tourists lodge here than in other Maui locales, and in the morning it is quiet and peaceful. 10 Best USA Road Trips Drive These Before you DIE. It won't take you 5 hours to get to Hana either. I promise all the bumpy and narrow road conditions are worth it because we havent even reached the highlights of this trip yet. Rating: In a nutshell: If you like the road less traveled, continuing on past Hana around Haleakala is an adventure worth taking. Even though it's only 64.4 miles long it takes the average tourists 2-3 hours to drive. 7) I hear it's a far worse drive when it rains - are roads likely to be washed out in early August? Our guide had lots of experience in driving to Hana via the southern route, thus making it much safer compared to attempting it on our own! 10) Lastly, is it wiser to hire a local driver to pick us up and drop us off at each location? The main thing that makes people fear the road is reputation! If you are still undecided about whether or not you want to drive the Road to Hana on your own, there are Road to Hana tours. It has 13 hairpins that will have you climbing from 5,617 feet above sea level to 6,677 feet above sea level in just three. You land in the morningcoming from mainland or another island? Carretera a los Yungas ( Bolivia) Locally known as the 'route of death', this Bolivian road is 80 km long and considered by many as the world's most dangerous road. The tarmac is smooth and well maintained. Grab a cup of coffee and try it with their lavender honey. Bring ones you don't mind getting muddy. Who thinks of these things? My favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free flights to Hawaii. A very anxious and scared driver is a dangerous one. GRAND CANYON AZ This is also the scary part of the Road to Hana. Oh, and 5 pm is really pushing it for a 7 pm (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 1. The Road to Hana is more than just a great drive through a beautiful area of Maui. Your other option is to turn around and drive back the way you came or continue around the island on the Hana Highway a.k.a. This will leave you with a deeper understanding and connection to Hawaii. What makes it so dangerousIt's a road! If the front side is lush and jungle-like, the backside is dry and desert-like (once you get past Kipahulu). Do this by picking up your trash and staying on the trail. Well, you get the picture. Maui's Road to Hana is one of the most famous (or infamous) drives in the world and in my opinion is the #1 don't miss thing to do on Maui. It's a well paved road, but you do need to keep your wits about you when you drive it because of the many sharp curves and one-lane bridges. Fun fact: there are more than seven of them! An out and back drive if you will. Does this add a lot to the drive, having the top down? have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). Is this even possible? My go-to airline is Southwest (seriously, I ONLY fly Southwest) so I use this Southwest Rapid Rewards card to rack up points every time I fly. Along this road, there are 620 curves (who counted all of those?) But heres the thingits still not really unpleasant unless you know what it used to be like before there was the surge in tourists. If you are in charge of the directions and finding the stops, that is one less thing to distract the driver and gives you something to do. This is terribly unfortunate, The highway is really a real jewel in the already stunning Crown of Mauis natural beauty. What makes this drive so special? . We just cant Visit Maui without taking a highway trip. Heres my best tip for driving past Hana: always try to follow a car in front of you. If you only have one day, theres still a lot to see, so snap a picture and be on your way. Running from Kahului (or "where the airport is," as you might otherwise know it) to Hana on the east of Maui, the Hana Highway is a clifftop and a coastal road. Yeah we are not overly phased by these things but some people really do. It has 600+ curves, and many of them are hairpin. The Road to Hana is a 64 mile stretch of road that starts in Kahului and ends at Kpahulu. This road is also part of the daily commute for Maui's residents, so drive with aloha to avoid any frustration. But it comes with risks and possibly some stress. However, many people who do not get caught up in the hype head to the road and come away scarred with tales of doom and dread of a hells highway that is near impossible to drive! Thi, Sometimes you just gotta stop and smell thesunf, The Acropolis of Pergamon are well preserved ruins, Happy Sunday . Before you embark on your adventure, you want to make sure you have a full tank of gas. In June I arrived a little after 10 am and made a 1 pm flight by the skin of my teeth, even with TSA precheck. But in general, I did not think the Road to Hana was dangerous or scary. Starting your journey to Hana on this side is a great way toexperience this side of, Day 256 of traveling the world full time! Just indicate into one of the MANY pull-outs and let them by. If you get above 30 mph you are doing well! The Road to Hana is also called the "Divorce Highway". would find such a tight narrow twisty track nightmarish. HALEAKALA HI Drive with caution and be very aware at all times. Fortunately we had no issues but it was a windy, rainy drive and Im glad we did it but dont think we would do it again. Hna Maui. You're meant to treat the bridges similar to a 4 way stop in that whichever car reaches the bridge first has the right of way. This part of Maui is known as Upcountry. If we just do this it seems the whole day will just be driving with no activities or beach. The photo slideshow below shows each of these stops. If you pay for your monthly expenses on the card and are responsible about paying it off every month, the points add up really fast. If you are enjoying the sights and driving at a leisurely pace, be mindful enough to pull over and let local drivers pass. Your support really helps me keep this blog running! The Road to Hana has 617 turns & 59 bridges, many only 1 lane. How long to travel Maui? So on to the practicalities of the road itself. There's no stress involved when a knowledgeable driver points out and stops at the most beautiful spots. Everything You Need to Know About Dining in San Diego. We have written extensively and lyrically about the road in our other articles and we imagine if you are seriously questioning the journey you are pretty aware of what the road is so we will not go in too deep here. 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