That's 2 extra hours after how many hours on the plane? 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. Fewer tourists lodge here than in other Maui locales, and in the morning it is quiet and peaceful. Its a must do! as Upcountry. This snake-like road is 52 miles (84 km) long and runs from Kahului to Hana. It's one of the most beautiful drives in the world. How necessary is it to have a 4 wheel drive vehicle for this drive? Snorkeling at Molokini is one of the best things to do in Kihei. SLEEPING BEAR DUNES MI Theyll give you the very best prices, you dont have to reserve with a credit card or pay until you show up, you can cancel and re-book anytime if you find a better rate, and they usually have a special that adds additional drivers for no fee. Check out our favorite Tours here. The Road to Hana is more than just a great drive through a beautiful area of Maui. LANAI There is little cell reception, you driving around an active(ish) volcano into the wilds of an already pretty remote island chain. I would def want to get there before dark the first day, though. So if you REALLY know its just going to be too much and even the thought of it is keeping you up at night, Its time to let the pros do the driving. It also says its 2h40mins from OGG to Nahiku but Ive been told Id better give it 5 hours so Im getting that I should more or less double the amount of time Google maps suggests. There is nothing but sharp - blind turns, one way roads, one car bridges on roads that continuously turned and not wide enough for two cars. What is scary to some is nothing to others. I have regretted not trying since we arrived home. The road is endlessly winding and many corners are seriously blind. 9. Well over 50 in total and most of the single lane for both directions. 2) Youll experience the best part of the drive (what youre most expecting to seecrazy lush vegetation, wild jungles, waterfalls, etc) early in the day when youre still fresh and excited (and not 6-8 hours in when youre starting to run on fumes energy wise). that people are always looking for a headstart or a leg up. The Surface is pretty well maintained but is often wet, slippery, and covered in jungle debris. As you continue driving down the Piilani Highway youll come up on some old homes and a bunch of run down old cars. I carry AAA independently (plus my auto insurance and credit card cover this) so I always decline all extra insurance. But in general, I did not think the Road to Hana was dangerous or scary. Bring cash: most places on this part of the island dont except credit cards. The trailhead is located after the bridge on your left. Soon you will come up on St. Josephs Church, this is such a beautiful piece of Maui. Check out these Hana guides to assist you on your travels. There are some spots that are popular with locals for camping and fishing, but I think those are best left unexplored by visitors unless youre taken there as a guest. It has an arid quality. After growing up on these the road to Hana was no problem. HAWAII VOLCANOES HI Risks include tow trucks that take a long time and costs lots of money. If you couldnt look out and see the ocean, youd probably think you were in parts of Texas or another western state. TSA lines have been very long. Everything You Need to Know About Dining in San Diego. It is such a unique and wonderful Road through some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. 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. 1. What is it about the road that strikes terror into your heart? A very anxious and scared driver is a dangerous one. ALL OF THIS BEING SAIDif this makes you nervous, if youre not an easy driver, if youre not used to trail driving or driving outside of a city, if you have an overwhelming fear of heights or significant anxiety, or if you question the safety for ANY reason, its always best not to go! 1-2 Week Maui Itinerary, Best Time to Visit: Best Time to Visit Maui. UTAH more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. This being said, travel at your own risk. I guess depending on what youre most interested in seeing/doing you could try this, but here are my thoughts: I strongly recommend driving the Road to Hana the right way or clockwise from Paia for a couple of reasons: 1) youll be on the inside lane the whole way around (no hugging the tight shoulder where theres a 200 foot drop off mere feet away from your tire) which is a bigger deal when youre driving on the road past Hana. (I think the back road may be closed to traffic anyway) That part of the road (going on from Hana towards Kula) is the part that is prone to washouts, etc. However, the Road to Hana is not dangerous in and of itself, and for seasoned drivers, the trip should be a breeze. 10 Best USA Road Trips Drive These Before you DIE. What we wanted to do in the west was bathe in the waters of Kanapali (which we hear is a world class beach) and maybe (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? ), read my reviews of staying at the Four Seasons and the Fairmont Kea Lani. have no issue at all, but it is narrower, more exposed, and in places has no asphalt topcoat (Dirt Track). I say if youre brave enough to get to Hana and Kipahulu, you might as well go the whole way around! 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. And some of those narrow and windy parts of the road are without a guard rail. Even really confident drivers who have rarely experienced this type of road suddenly find their grip tightening and the beads of sweat forming. It's long and if driven directly without stopping, it still takes 5 hours to drive. As we made our way along the southern coast of Maui, we found the scenery to be beautiful and varied. MOUNT RUSHMORE SD Ive yet to see a current rental car contract that even mentions where you can or cant take the car on Maui (and I always read the fine print!). Their reasoning is that the popular sites closer to Hana would be less crowded by getting there earlier and then I guess they think that the crowds at the stops closer to Paia will have moved on towards Hana so by the time they retrace their steps theyll have all the popular spots to themselves. If you aren't planning on stopping at any of the waterfalls, trails, scenic viewpoints, etc., the drive straight from Lahaina to Hana will take a good 2.75-4 hours, depending on time of day. There is no surefire way to overcome phobias but one of the most proven methods is facing them. My favorite travel hack is cashing in points to score free flights to Hawaii. The Single file traffic is easily regulated with simple give way systems and you just wait your turn at the give says one each side of the bridge until it is your turn to cross. The offer free wine tastings and are known for their pineapple wine. Besides the black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, this really is the crown jewel of the Road to Hana. Take a van or coach tour Having an air-conditioned vehicle with a driver/guide is really the best way to see Hana. The first is one we dont advise. If you continue on in the loop, youll eventually come through Ulupalakua (where Maui Wine is) and Kula in upcountry Maui and can take the highway back down towards Paia and Kahului. * *The final 5 stops are on the natural route along the Hana Hwy, but come prior to Mile Marker 0 *. You suggest skipping Kanapali altogether. Unsubscribe at any time. How long does it take to drive to Hana backside? If you take the road past Oheo Gulch (Seven Pools) and past Lindbergh's grave and continue around the south side of Maui to go all the way around, you will have to drive on about 5 miles of unpaved dirt and gravel road. Avengers Campus Disney California Adventure- Ultimate Guide, 10 Best Things To Do In Chicago, Illinois Our Guide to the Top Attractions in Chicago, Illinois. I did not want to drive this most scary and dangerous part, and I walked part of the back road to Hana. Also through yourself into the Navigation. Our Hawaiian Food Guide to Hawaiis Must Try Foods, Best Beaches in Maui, Hawaii Our Ultimate Maui Beach Guide, How To Visit Maui on a Budget Saving money on your Maui, Hawaii Vacation. Strange, our hosts at our lodgings told us the southern road was faster back to the airport from Haleakala you say its longer for sure? If you need road assistance it's cash costing $800-1200 if and when a tow truck comes. Google has no clue what the drive times are on Maui and Hawaii in general. 1. The Jungle Canopy envelopes the road leading to mild claustrophobia and an uncomfortable sense of being consumed. The back road to Hana is not like this the whole way, or even most of the way, but it is there! More! You want to go back the way you came, most likely, rather than going around the back way. And finally, someone with little experience outside of their comfort zone, someone who driving is an anxious experience for in the best of times would just fond the road far too much. And then, most people will end the Road to Hana at Hana or Kipahulu. What did you do to mitigate them? The Keanae Peninsula is one of the most famous Road to Hana stops. Want flexible cancellation terms? They all flow directly into each other, but they have their own mile markers, which are crucial navigation points on this beautiful rainforest drive. At last youve made it to Hana town. Super dangerous. If you go, (just like anything you do), you do so at your own risk. The bridge was completed in 1926 and is one of the 80 Hana . These Rickety looking relics strike fear into many peoples hearts as they meet traffic head-on with no passing place and drops either side. Full Gas Tank - You most likely won't need a whole tank, but just in case. P.S. That is such a shame for you both, but it is understandable, and probably the right decision. Travel to or from the region of Hana to any other major population center takes several hours by car. Its a completely different adventure than driving the front side. 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