Wear something comfortable. These have an ocean view and they are only 8 miles from the famous Seven Sacred Pools (Oheo Gulch.). A truly enjoyable road trip isn’t about getting from point A to B, it’s about the relaxed pace, the freedom of the open road and the adventures along the way. Snacks: Throw some sandwiches in your cooler bag along with some granola bars and other snacks to keep everyone from getting hangry. Stock up on ample snacks and beverages. Road to Hana waterfalls are definitely worth visiting. Stay on the Path. Or even better, follow a set tour itinerary designed by a professional guide to ensure you hit all the highlights and maybe even a few little-known spots (you know, for bragging rights). The Road to Hana can be dangerous if you have a hard time keeping your eyes on the road. hover over image to pin for Ever wanted to do a day trip on Maui but don't know what to do? Try to stick to your plan. This 5 hour tour is the best Road to Hana tour for families who just don’t want to commit a full day to the long drive. It’s very, very dangerous and you could easily get hit by a car. I know the scenery can be a bit distracting, so one option is to switch drivers every hour or two. There are little shops and restaurants. That’s why you’ll see souvenir t-shirts that read “I Survived the Road to Hana!”. If there’s someone behind you that looks as if they’re driving rather than sightseeing, pull over to the side of the road whenever it’s safe to do so. Start in Paia, then stop at the Garden of Eden, see a few waterfalls, and then end at the Halfway to Hana stand. 6. Take your time and enjoy the stops along the Road to Hana. If you are short on time or you are driving the Road to Hana with kids, you might be wondering if you have to do the entire Road to Hana to get the experience. Some mile markers are easy to miss. Because it’s such a long day of driving, you’ll want to fill up your gas tank before you head out. Plus, it’s just bad karma. However, it’s important to check to see the pools are open before you trek all the way here. You’ll also want to check your car rental contract to see if it mentions anything about the Road to Hana. Be sure to book in advanced, as they don’t accept same day bookings. Plus you’ll get to safely do the backside of the Road to Hana. There are hairpin turns, scenic lookouts, and narrow one-lane bridges. Filled with even more natural beauty (if that was possible) with fewer people and worse roads. Toddlers who are rear-facing may feel extra sick with all the twists and turns. So why get stuck behind some slow-poke for the entire trip? There’s a short hike where you can get to the pools and go swimming. One of the most luxurious Road to Hana tours is this Skyline Hana tour, which uses a roomy climate-controlled vehicle with lots of leg room. And if you are up for a splurge, book a night at the rustic (yet chic) Travaasa Hana. Leave the driving to someone else and enjoy the ride with your family. My personal opinion is that the first half of the Road to Hana is the most scenic, so I suggest families traveling to Maui with a toddler or small kids just do the first half. Because there are SO many interesting Road to Hana stops, it’s really important to use some sort of guide so you’ll know which stops are right for your family. Road to Hana Tips App and Guidebook There’s no cell signal for most of the Road to Hana so you’ll need to plan your navigation. It’s a 52-mile highway stretch with winding and narrow You won’t want everything to get wet (including yourself.). From spectacular seascapes and taro patches to botanical gardens, this 70 mile/110km stretch has a reputation for being one of the top drives in the world. Always start early and take your time. So instead, prioritize what you want to see. Bug Spray: There are plenty of Road to Hana stops that can get really buggy. You can also plan to hit this on the way back, as the sea turtles make their way to the beach around sunset. Definitely a highlight on the Road to Hana with kids! South of Hana, Venus Pool (Waioka) is unlabeled and invisible from the road. Click HERE to learn more. There’s a little parking lot, so it’s an easy stop. It’s a gorgeous garden with some amazing views of the ocean, an enchanted forest, and cute photo ops. Or check out the pristine ambience at Hana Kai Maui. The best Road to Hana stops for your Maui trip (Tips + Pics) LAST UPDATED ON 04/07/2020 By Travelling Dany 76 Comments Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission. Until you actually arrive in Hana, there are few spots to grab a drink or bite to eat along the way. TIP: Aunty Sandy's, Coconut Glen's ice cream, & Braddah Huts in Hāna are some of our favorite spots! The road to Hana is one of the most difficult and dangerous roads to drive. Road to Hana Guide: 15 Things to Know Before You Drive the Road to Hana. So don’t let hunger ruin this brilliant road trip. It’s best to avoid getting scratched and stay protected in a vehicle that has a roof. In fact, the Hana Highway has 620 curves and 59 bridges, which can either make it fun or scary. The honest truth is that it really depends on how many stops you plan on doing. Cruising the Road To Hana can be one long road trip if you tackle it in a single day. Halfway to Hana Stand: This small food stand is hard to miss. But, it’s mostly become a top thing to do in Maui because of the road itself. If you try to stop everywhere, you’ll end up getting stressed out as you try to jam all these attractions in. If you tend to get motion sick, bring along some Dramamine so you can enjoy the scenic drive without feeling nauseous. Tips for Making the Most on the Road to Hana If you plan on visit Maui, you absolutely must add the Road to Hana to your itinerary. Most tourists start sometime between 7am-10am in order to make it back before dark. We had plans to Drive the Road To Hana with kids. Backpack: If you are planning on exploring the Road to Hana stops, bring along a waterproof backpack to store some towels, snacks, water bottles, and extra clothes. Parking was easily accessible, and I was tempted to try some fresh fruit from the Twin Falls Farm 1. Are you traveling to Maui? Coconut Glen’s: Get some famous vegan ice cream here. Road to Hana The Road to Hana is world-renowned for being a long, beautiful drive that features incredible sights and stops that make it one of the go-to destinations on Maui. Each family is different and people have their own ideas of what makes a stop “worth it.” Read a few blog posts and TripAdvisor reviews to see which ones you’d like to do the most. This is set up for tent or van camping. This is especially true in the winter months, when it tends to be a bit rainier. There are hairpin turns, scenic lookouts, and narrow one-lane bridges. Keep scrolling to find out all the best Road to Hana tips to make the most of your drive. Both are swanky options for R&R. You can spend all your time enjoying the road to Hana, leaving little time to enjoy the road past Hana! And whatever you do, do NOT stop in the middle of the road to take a photo. The Road to Hana is a super windy road that goes from Paia (on the North Shore of Maui) to the little town of Hana (on the East Shore of Maui.). There’s even a 100-year-old mango tree that’s pretty impressive. You’ll also get breakfast at Jaws Country Store in Peahi and lunch provided by Hana Fresh. This 8.5 hour tour is custom designed and you’ll get to decide if you want to see lava tubes, ocean blowholes, ancient lava formations, or do a waterfall hike. You’ll be driving in the mountains and there’s a good chance it will rain on your at some point. You’ll start at Haleakala National Park and drive to Seven Sacred Pools and then reach Hana. This tour also includes a bento box breakfast and a picnic lunch. You won’t want to get stuck on the Road to Hana after sunset. Or you can fill up in Paia. © 2020 GPS Tour Guide Inc All Rights Reserved. Book your Hana Waterfalls & Beach Full Loop Tour. Take a van or coach tour. You’ll want to wear bug repellent or use essential oils (like peppermint and lemon oil) to save your skin from annoying bug bites. I am so excited to share my Road to Hana tips with you! If you drive straight to Hana, it can take anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on traffic. Sunglasses: These are really helpful for driving and while going on adventures. 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