Maui’s prominence in Hawaii’s travel puzzle is no doubt due, in part, to its profound beauty and its larger-than-life sense of adventure. So it comes as no surprise that the island makes for among Hawaii’s most spectacular driving trips. Read on for six of the favorites we recommend from personal experience.
The Road to Hana
A top favorite, this is one of the great road trips anywhere, not only in Hawaii. So it is not surprising that it is plagued with traffic and now controversy.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority recently asked that visitors use tour companies rather than individual cars when heading to Hana. Maui is trying to find new ways to mitigate traffic, illegal parking, and dangerous pedestrian crossings along the highway.
As you recall, 70 no parking signs were installed, with warnings of a $35 fine with a $200 surcharge. The state has created a flyer for visitors traveling the Hana Highway.
The 65 mile-long Hana Highway takes you from Kahului to Hana town in east Maui. This is not a road to be rushed, and the time to cover the distance is longer than expected. The road is narrow and winding, with some 59 bridges, of which most are one-way. Many of the bridges are over 100 years old. You will be greeted with waterfalls and unparalleled views of the Maui coastline and rainforest.
There are many stops possible along the way. A first stop might be Paia town, where you’ll have plenty of chances to refill your stomach, your trip supplies, and your gas tank. Nearby you’ll find epic windsurfing at Hookipa Beach Park, another favorite stop for photos, if nothing else, which along the way before getting serious about this drive. Hana town is a step back in time, and if you continue even further, you’ll be greeted with more fabulous views, including Hamoa Beach, a favorite of Ernest Hemingway. Also, read Why Hawaii Tourism’s Shocking Return Hit Maui Hardest.
Mount Haleakala
At 3055 meters tall, Mount Haleakala is a huge dormant shield volcano that makes up three-quarters of Maui’s landmass and is both the highest peak on the island and the second-tallest mountain in Hawaii.
Mount Haleakala sits within Haleakala National Park, renowned for its valleys, lava fields, and silversword fern, and over one million visitors are attracted to the summit each year.
Visitors can enjoy the slow and winding road to the summit while taking in the views and preparing for an indescribably beautiful sunrise or sunset over the crater.
It is now necessary to have reservations when arriving for the sunrise viewing, and some visitors choose to begin the journey as early as 3 am. Depending on your starting point, the drive up can take up to three hours, and it is quite the journey.
Don’t forget to dress warmly for this adventure, especially true for sunset and sunrise viewings. It is cold, and we tend to bring everything we have, including blankets. This is important.
Kahului to West Maui
Kahului is the island’s commercial center and is home to the island’s main airport and the cruise port, where visitors arrive and depart. The drive from Kahului out to Maui’s West Coast, home to Lahaina (pictured above) and the popular beach resort areas of Kaanapali Beach, Napili Bay, and Kapalua, is at once one of the most heavily trafficked and also one of most scenic driving adventures on Maui.
En route, leaving Kahului, you’ll enjoy beautiful verdant hillsides views as you head towards Maalea Harbor beyond.
Maui is blessed with abundant Humpback whale viewing from late fall into spring, and we’ve even seen them from the highway.
Continue to Lahaina, once a whaling village and now a bustling town of stores, dining, and art galleries. The areas north of Lahaina are renowned for spectacular white sand beaches and good snorkeling.
South Maui from Kihei to Makena Beach State Park
South Maui is known for its generally relaxed feeling, and the towns of Kihei, Wailea, and Makena are in some ways very different from their West Maui neighbors.
Kihei is the first town you’ll approach. It has a local feel and is a good place for shopping and dining. Nonetheless, it still has great beaches (think Kam beaches, Charley Young, and more), plus less expensive accommodations.
Makena Beach State Park is one of Maui’s finest beaches, including nearly a mile of white sand and incredible views towards the islands of Molokini and Kahoolawe. It sits nestled between two outcroppings of lava, affording it protection from trade wind.
There are two beaches, one called Big Beach and the other Little Beach. Big Beach is located south of Kihei and Wailea. It is one of our favorite spots and is often less crowded than the west Maui beaches in the Lahaina area.
As its name suggests, Little Beach is the smaller of the two and has neither lifeguard nor amenities. It is known as a nude beach, even though that is illegal.
Upcountry Maui
On the back slopes of Mt. Haleakala, you’ll find Upcountry Maui (lead photo), which is known for vineyards, farms, ranches, restaurants, Maui Wine, and the homes of Hawaii’s rich and famous, including Oprah.
We enjoy stopping at the Surfing Goat Dairy, as well as produce stands and country stores. You’ll also find places to try local Maui-grown coffees and take in the scents of Ali’i Kula lavender farm.
West Maui Loop
An adventuresome drive, and in a sense not unlike the drive to Hana, while being entirely different and without the traffic. We have driven this road, and it’s slow and breathtaking and very narrow in places, especially between Olivine Pools and before Waihee. While only 60 miles long, it can take 5 hours with all of the stops you’ll make.
Some of our favorite stops are the Nakalele Blowhole after mile marker 38 and Kahakuloa Village with its gorgeous bay and the Kahakuloa Head. There are so many scenic stops, and we sometimes felt we had Maui all to ourselves. It is highly recommended.
Beware that sometimes the road is too narrow for even two small cars to pass. That makes it even more exciting. Most car rentals are allowed, but you may want to check your policy first before heading out.
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Phil V says
When I booked in May for my trip next month I thought I was helping out the economy, now that it to close to cancel I’m not welcome?
Walter B says
No “Thanks”. Son lives on Maui and beautiful Island is being abused. Way over booked as of July. Poor residents can’t get “there” or even buy food from supermarkets. No parking to buy a nice cream cone. Car rentals are tough. Come, enjoy, just not now.
Debtam says
Aloha BOH. In a selfish way, I cringe when I read all of your suggestions for visitors that are going to Hawaii. There are way TOO MANY visitors over there right now. What has happened to the spaced out regulatory admissions process for these sacred fragile wonders of the islands that are being overrun and trampled just for the sake of “being there, done that”. As a visitor of over 40 years, I find it very sad and wonder why the “almighty dollar” has taken precedence over keeping things in a small and familial way. It looks to me me like Kauai is in danger of being the third island to be emaciated after Maui and Oahu. It really hits hard to see this beautiful small island so congested and everyone not able to fully appreciate the beauty and culture and “quiet” that I encountered so many years ago. Believe me, I am not out of touch. I have been visiting ohana for the last 40 years there and these changes, while inevitable, have really brought the Aloha spirit to an all time low. The behaviour and attitudes are just different now. I can see why the locals resent the tourists. They are just overwhelming the island like ants. Or mule deer ????
Laurie B says
You know. The tourism industry is a scourge on the small islands of the the south Pacific, Hawaii in particular. Contrary to popular belief the island suffer from so muparticular. Places are being closed due to high impact, especially Hana.
Sgop selling Maui
Donna R. says
Mahalo for sharing this wonderful information. I’ll be there the end of November.
L H says
“Adventure” is an understatement for west Maui loop. We had no idea what we were getting into. That drive is super sketchy, and although I’m glad I had the experience, I doubt I will ever do it again. Gorgeous. I’d feel much more comfortable on a narrow scooter than a car. You literally can’t see 10 feet in front of you with the winding curves and there is literally no room for another car to pass by you. You have to get used to looking down the entire stretch of road, as far as the eye can see, to see if there are any cars you might pass at any point in time with the next hour. Just wanted to give people a heads up so they know what they are getting into if they try it.
I’ve done all of these except the sunrise at the peak and they are great. Make your reservations well in advance or it will be booked and you won’t get to do it.
Thanks BOH!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Lorelle.
Thanks. Good points. You could always just do part of the way and avoid some of the worst parts. It’s a drive you don’t forget.
Aloha.
PhilVie says
I’ve made all these drives including the backside of Haleakala,(took the road to Hana and kept going till I was in up country),but that West Maui loop is the most breathtaking beautiful white knuckle drive on the island, not for the faint hearted but worth it, no way I’d do I t again though
Kim B says
We drove the reverse Hana loop; the worst part of it for me was the stretch from the National Park to a mile or so outside Hana. The traffic was crazy and they all seemed to want to straddle the yellow line. My husband was driving and I was seeing nothing but ocean below and my life flashing before my eyes! Same for the Apache Trail east of Phoenix – it was spectacular and I’m glad we did it once, but no way I’d do it again. We drove that one the reverse way too, from Roosevelt Lake to Tortilla Flats, and I was once again hanging over the cliff sides and dizzying drops. I think my husband might be trying to tell me something :-)! I’d do the Hana road again, but from the side of the West Maui mountain road I don’t think I’ll ever be willing to try it.