How long drive maui

And while driving on your own is fun for us personally, we realize it is much simpler to sit back, relax, and let someone else do the driving. We love them because their expert and local guides are some of the best in the industry, and their luxury customized vans are spacious, comfy, and have panoramic windows for great views.

They even provide pick-up at most hotels. Best of all, as trailblazers in the eco-friendly tourism industry, they are the first Hawaii-based tour company to complete the Hawaii Green Business Program.

Time Estimate: As a straight drive, it's 2. But, as noted, you're likely not making it a straight drive. Directions: Take Highway 31 to Highway and turn right. Take Highway until it joins with Highway turn right onto Hwy Take a short distance to Highway 36 and turn right.

From here you'll pass through Paia town and eventually the road will change to Highway The journey ends in Hana almost 50 miles away. Directions: Take Highway 30 to Highway and turn right at the traffic light. Continue on Highway until you reach Highway 36, then turn right again. Some of the most beautiful beaches on Maui exist along the south Maui shore.

Be forewarned also that "Little Beach" is popular with those who like to wear little clothing as well.

La Perouse Bay is just further south of Makena and is a great place to make a quick visit to Maui's most recent geologically speaking lava flow. The parking lot is on the right. La Perouse is just a few minutes three miles beyond this point. Parking is on the right at La Perouse Bay. Directions: Take Highway 30 until it meets Highway Take a right and continue on Highway 31 for a long distance until it runs into Wailea Alanui Drive.

Iao Valley and Iao Needle are a wonderful attraction for all Maui visitors. It's an especially great stop for families. The valley is a state park and offers paved trails throughout. Directions: Take Highway 31 all the way north to Highway 30 and turn right. The road will dead end at the parking lot in the valley. You May Also be Interested In This website's use is your expressly conditioned acceptance of the terms, conditions, and disclaimers found within our Disclaimer of Warranty and Limitation of Liability page without any modifications.

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If the guy behind you blinks his lights, let him pass. And don't honk your horn -- in Hawaii, it's considered rude. The Journey Begins in Paia -- Before you even start out, fill up your gas tank. Gas in Paia is expensive even by Maui standards , and it's the last place for gas until you get to Hana, some 42 miles, 54 bridges, and hairpin turns down the road. The former plantation village of Paia was once a thriving sugar-mill town.

The mill is still here, but the population shifted to Kahului in the s when subdivisions opened there, leaving Paia to shrivel up and die.

But the town refused to give up and has proven its ability to adapt to the times. Now chic eateries and trendy shops stand next door to the mom-and-pop establishments that have been serving generations of Paia customers. Plan to be here early, around 7am, when Charley's , Hana Hwy.

Enjoy a big, hearty breakfast for a reasonable price. After you leave Paia, just before the bend in the road, you'll pass the Kuau Mart on your left; a small general store, it's the only reminder of the sugar-plantation community of Kuau. The road then bends into an S-turn; in the middle of the S is the entrance to Mama's Fish House, marked by a restored boat with Mama's logo on the side.

Just past the truck on the ocean side is the entrance to Mama's parking lot and adjacent small sandy cove in front of the restaurant. It's not good for swimming -- ocean access is over very slippery rocks into strong surf -- but the beach is a great place to sit and soak up some sun. Windsurfing Mecca -- A mile from Mama's, just before mile marker 9, is a place known around the world as one of the greatest windsurfing spots on the planet, Hookipa Beach Park.

Hookipa Hospitality is where the top-ranked windsurfers come to test themselves against the forces of nature: thunderous surf and forceful wind. World-championship contests are held here, but on nearly every windy afternoon the board surfers have the waves in the morning , you can watch dozens of windsurfers twirling and dancing in the wind like colorful butterflies.

To watch the windsurfers, do not stop on the highway, but go past the park and turn left at the entrance on the far side of the beach. You can either park on the high grassy bluff or drive down to the sandy beach and park alongside the pavilion. Facilities include restrooms, a shower, picnic tables, and a barbecue area. At the bottom of the gulch, look for the road on your right, which will take you out to Maliko Bay.

Take the first right, which goes under the bridge and past a rodeo arena scene of competitions by the Maliko Roping Club in summer and on to the rocky beach. There are no facilities here except a boat-launch ramp. In the s, Maliko had a thriving community at the mouth of the bay, but its residents rebuilt farther inland after a tsunami wiped it out. The bay may not look that special, but if the surf is up, it's a great place to watch the waves. Back on the Hana Highway, as you leave Maliko Gulch, around mile marker 11, you'll pass through the rural area of Haiku, where you'll see banana patches, cane grass blowing in the wind, and forests of guava trees, avocados, kukui trees, palms, and Christmas berry.

Just before mile marker 15 is the Maui-Grown Market and Deli tel. Jaws -- If it's winter and the waves are up like 60 ft. To get here, make a small detour off the Hana Highway by turning left at Hahana Road, between mile markers 13 and Practice aloha, do not park in the pineapple fields, and do not pick or even touch the pineapples.

Be very careful along the oceanside cliffs. At mile marker 16, the curves begin, one right after another. Slow down and enjoy the view of bucolic rolling hills, mango trees, and vibrant ferns. After mile marker 16, the road is still called the Hana Highway, but the number changes from Hwy. A great place to stop is Twin Falls , at mile marker 2. Just before the wide, concrete bridge, pull over on the mountain side and park. Although you will see several cars parked in the area and a steady line of people going up to the falls, be aware that this is private property and trespassing is illegal in Hawaii.

If you decide that you want to risk it, you will walk about 3 to 5 minutes to the waterfall and pool, or continue on another 10 to 15 minutes to the second, larger waterfall and pool don't go in if it has been raining. Hidden Huelo -- Just before mile marker 4 on a blind curve, look for a double row of mailboxes on the left side by a pay phone.

Down the road lies a hidden Hawaii of an earlier time, where an indescribable sense of serenity prevails. Hemmed in by Waipo and Hoalua bays is the remote community of Huelo , which means "tail end, last. The only reason Huelo is even marked is the historic Kaulanapueo Church. Reminiscent of New England architecture, this coral-and-cement church, topped with a plantation-green steeple and a gray tin roof, is still in use, although services are held just once or twice a month.

It still has the same austere interior of straight-backed benches, a no-nonsense platform for the minister, and no distractions on the walls to tempt you from paying attention to the sermon. Next to the church is a small graveyard, a personal history of this village in concrete and stone.

This is the edge of the Koolau Forest Reserve. Koolau means "windward," and this certainly is one of the greatest examples of a lush windward area: The coastline here gets about 60 to 80 inches of rain a year, as well as runoff from the to inches that falls from farther up the mountain.

You'll see trees laden with guavas, as well as mangoes, java plums, and avocados the size of softballs. This is an interesting questions we get from those that aren't staying for very long. If you go straight to Hana and stay the night, you can do it at any minimum, but most people like to have some relaxing time along with adventure, which requires a rest before and after big drives. We think anyone visiting for a week or more should consider Hana. For those of you staying longer, check out this 9-Day Maui itinerary.

And for those of you wondering what time is it in Hawaii , we got you covered. If your rental car agreement allows you to drive the backside of Haleakala, it might be worth it. BUT keep in mind that the road isn't paved for large stretches, so it's pretty bumpy. Sunset while driving this road is pretty nice, and you can stop for dinner in Kula or Makawao on the way back.

While it is largely up to your fitness level and willingness to get off the beaten path, we absolutely recommend the Classic Canyon Rappelling Tour with Rappel Maui, which requires absolutely no experience and offers visitors the chance to rappel down several cascading waterfalls and swim in natural pools on a acre botanical garden, located about half way down the Hana Highway.

With courses at both Haleakala and Kaanapali, your unforgettable zipline experience is just down the road! Hana FAQ. Should I drive myself, fly or do a Van Tour? What is the best way to experience Hana? I have a guidebook that shows more spots. Why aren't they here? Is the Road to Hana Dangerous? Yes, it can be dangerous if you: Pay attention to the sights instead of your driving Don't allow faster traffic to pass by pulling over Pull over in a spot that blocks traffic Drive too fast Don't yield at signs near bridges Ignore blow horn signs Drink and Drive 5.

What should I bring? Some things you'll want to bring include: Food - see 6 below Water - Bring plenty, though you can buy it along the way. Cash - Most of the banana bread and smoothie places only take cash. Towels - It's most likely going to rain. Be prepared.