The Road to Hāna at a glance
The Road to Hāna is Highway 360, the winding coastal road that connects Kahului with Hāna in East Maui. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority describes it as about 52 miles with 620 curves and 59 bridges, and puts the drive at 2 to 4 hours one way before you stop for anything. You will stop. The point of the day is the rainforest, the sea cliffs and the small stops along the way, not the arrival.
Some sources quote about 64 miles. That figure adds the stretch of Route 31 beyond Hāna to the Kīpahulu district of Haleakalā National Park, which the National Park Service puts at roughly 4 hours from Kahului.
Before you set out
Four things to sort out the day before, not at the first bend.
Check the road
Landslides and rockfall have closed parts of the Hāna Highway in recent years, and heavy rain can do it again. Before you leave, check the road closure notifications published by Maui County and ask your hotel or rental company about conditions. Do not rely on a plan from an older guide.
Fill up in Pāʻia
Pāʻia is the last gas station before Hāna. There is no fuel and no charging point at Kīpahulu either, so start with a full tank.
Book Waiʻānapanapā
The black sand beach park needs a timed reservation for every visitor. Non-residents pay $5 per person and $10 for parking as of October 2026. Details below.
Plan a full day
With photo stops, a swim and a meal, the road fills a whole day. Leave early so you are not driving the curves in the dark on the way back.
Our picks: Road to Hāna
By helicopter with a rainforest landing, in a small group or with a private guide.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Helicopter to Hāna with a rainforest landing
75 minutes in total, including a 35-minute landing in the Hāna rainforest, with commentary in flight. Hotel transfers and tips are not included; passengers over 275 lb need an extra seat, and the flight runs with at least four passengers.
Check availability →
Private Road to Hāna tour with pick-up
A private guide in an SUV and a route you can adjust. Check on the booking page which meals and entries are included.
Check availability →Road to Hāna small-group tour
A local guide, pick-up, breakfast, a barbecue lunch and the entry to Waiʻānapanapā, so you need no reservation of your own.
Check availability →Road to Hāna tours from Maui
Guided Road to Hāna day trips, a private option and a helicopter flight, with live prices and availability.
Waiʻānapanapā State Park: book first
Waiʻānapanapā, the black sand beach park near Hāna, has required a reservation since 1 March 2021. The rule applies to all visitors and to tour operators, with some places held for Hawaiʻi residents. You book online through the state parks reservation system.
- Non-residents: $5 per person and $10 per vehicle. Children up to 3 are free, and Hawaiʻi residents with a Hawaiʻi ID are free.
- Hours: 7 am to 6 pm.
- Camping and cabins: campsites cost $30 per night and cabins $100 per night for non-residents. Cabins must be reserved at least 7 days ahead.
After storm-related water problems, the state parks notice of October 2026 still listed Waiʻānapanapā as an exception to the reopened Maui parks. Check its current status on the booking page before you plan your day around it. The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority also suggests a licensed guided tour if the logistics worry you.
Driving manners and the Hāna code
The road passes through living communities. Maui County and the tourism authority ask visitors to follow a short code of conduct:
- Drive slowly, let local traffic pass and do not tailgate.
- On one-lane bridges, give way to oncoming cars and let waiting cars across before you go.
- Park only in marked spaces. Vehicles that block the road can be towed.
- Visit state parks, county facilities, farms, gardens and fruit stands. Skip places on private land or without visitor signs.
- Do not enter streams during heavy rain or flash flood warnings.
- Take your trash with you, stay on trails and protect plants and animals.
Drive yourself or take a tour
Neither is better in every case. It depends on who is driving and how much you want to organize.
| Question | Self-drive | Guided tour |
|---|---|---|
| Who drives the curves | You | The guide |
| Fuel | Fill up in Pāʻia | Not your concern |
| Waiʻānapanapā | You book a timed slot | Check what the tour includes |
| Pace | Your own | Fixed itinerary |
| Parking at stops | You find a marked space | Handled by the operator |
Some small-group tours include park entry and meals. The includes list on each tour page tells you exactly what is covered. Check the current options in the tour block above, or read how tours compare across Maui.
Beyond Hāna: Kīpahulu
Kīpahulu is the coastal district of Haleakalā National Park, about 12 miles past Hāna. Its GPS address is Mile Marker 41 Hana Highway. There is no public transport to it and no fuel or charging in the park. The $30 park entry covers both Kīpahulu and the summit for 3 days.
Swimming in the ʻOheʻo pools is not allowed and entry to the pools is closed for safety. You can view them from the Kūloa Point Trail, but check current conditions before you go. More in the Haleakalā National Park guide.
Rain on the road
Hāna is one of the wetter spots on Maui. NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals give Hāna about 72 inches (1,833 mm) of rain a year, compared with about 16 inches (412 mm) at Kahului airport. March is the wettest month in Hāna at 8.5 inches (215 mm). Pack a rain jacket in any month. Monthly figures are on the Maui weather page.
Plan the rest of your trip
Pair the road with these pages.
Haleakalā National Park
Summit rules, the sunrise reservation and the Kīpahulu side near Hāna.
Weather and best time
Temperatures and rainfall by month for Hāna, Kahului and the south coast.
Where to stay
Which part of the island makes a good base for the drive east.
Kahului Airport
Rental cars, the tram and buses at the start of the Hāna Highway.
Road to Hāna: frequently asked questions
How long does the Road to Hāna take?
The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority gives 2 to 4 hours one way without stops for the roughly 52 miles from Kahului. With stops, plan a full day. The Kīpahulu district beyond Hāna is about 4 hours from Kahului.
Is the Road to Hāna open?
Conditions change, especially after heavy rain. Check the road closure notifications published by Maui County before you leave, and ask locally if you are unsure.
Where is the last gas station?
In Pāʻia, before the road starts. Fuel up there, because there are no gas stations or charging points at Kīpahulu.
Do I need a reservation at Waiʻānapanapā?
Yes. Every visitor needs a timed reservation. Non-residents pay $5 per person and $10 per vehicle as of October 2026. Check the park status on the booking page first.
Should I drive myself or book a tour?
If you dislike narrow, winding roads, a guided tour removes the driving and the parking. If you want to set your own pace, drive yourself, fill up in Pāʻia and book Waiʻānapanapā ahead.