Road to Hana

About

The Road to Hana is one of Hawaii's most iconic drives, a winding 64-mile journey along Maui's northeastern coast that passes through some of the most stunning tropical scenery in the United States. Highway 360 connects the town of Kahului to the small community of Hana, crossing 59 bridges and weaving through 620 curves along the way.

The drive itself is the destination. Around every bend, you'll find something new: cascading waterfalls tumbling down volcanic cliffs, dense bamboo forests, dramatic ocean overlooks, and quiet roadside gardens bursting with tropical flowers. Popular stops include Twin Falls, the Painted Forest at mile marker 7, the Garden of Eden Arboretum, and Wailua Valley State Wayside, where views stretch across the village to Haleakala crater.

Wai'anapanapa State Park, just outside Hana, is home to a striking black sand beach formed from volcanic rock. The park also features sea caves, blowholes, and a coastal trail with views of the rugged shoreline. The town of Hana itself is small and peaceful, offering a glimpse of old Hawaii that feels worlds away from Maui's resort areas.

Beyond Hana, adventurous visitors can continue to the Pools of 'Ohe'o (Seven Sacred Pools) in the Kipahulu district of Haleakala National Park, where freshwater pools cascade toward the ocean.

Most visitors make the Road to Hana a full-day trip. The drive takes about two and a half hours one way without stops, but plan for much longer since you'll want to pull over frequently. Start early to avoid traffic and bring snacks, water, and a full tank of gas. Restrooms and food options are limited along the route. Many travelers choose to stay overnight in Hana to avoid driving back in the dark.

Whether you're photographing waterfalls, wading into a freshwater pool, or simply soaking in the views from a roadside overlook, the Road to Hana delivers an unforgettable experience of Maui's wild, untouched beauty.

Accessibility

The Road to Hana presents significant accessibility challenges that visitors should plan for carefully. The drive itself is accessible by standard vehicle, and many of the scenic overlooks along the route can be enjoyed from your car or from paved pulloff areas. The Wailua Valley overlook, for example, offers spectacular waterfall and crater views from a small roadside parking area.

However, most stops along the route involve uneven natural terrain, steep paths, or rocky trails that are not wheelchair accessible. Wai'anapanapa Black Sand Beach does not have a ramp to the beach, as it sits in a volcanic cove reached by stairs and uneven ground. Many waterfall viewpoints and swimming holes require walking on dirt paths or crossing streams.

Wheelchair accessible tour operators on Maui currently do not offer Road to Hana trips due to the narrow road conditions and undeveloped nature of most stops. Visitors who use wheelchairs or have mobility limitations can still enjoy the scenic drive and accessible pulloffs, but should be aware that getting out to explore at most stops will be difficult or impossible.

The road has limited services along its length. Accessible restrooms are available at some state parks, but facilities vary and some are basic. Parking at popular stops is informal, often along the road shoulder, and rarely includes designated accessible spaces.

For visitors with sensory disabilities, the drive offers rich experiences through sound and scent, with ocean waves, birdsong, and tropical vegetation filling the air at most stops.

Contact the Maui Visitors Bureau or Hawaii State Parks for the most current accessibility details at specific stops along the route. Consider pairing the Road to Hana drive with other Maui attractions that offer better accessibility, such as the Maui Ocean Center or Haleakala summit, which has designated handicap parking.

More accessible places in Hawaii

• Haleakala National Park (Maui)
• Kaanapali Beach & Black Rock (Maui)
• Maui Ocean Center (Wailuku)
• Bishop Museum (Honolulu)
• Foster Botanical Garden (Honolulu)
• ʻIolani Palace (Honolulu)