Road to Hana Stops in Order, With Time for Each

The best Road to Hana stops depend on how far you plan to go: for a one-day drive, prioritize Keanae, Waianapanapa and Hana, then add Kipahulu only if you can give the day enough time. A full day with stops can take 10 to 12 hours, while the drive itself takes about 4 to 5 hours without stops, according to Pride of Maui.

Below, stops are listed in the order you reach them from Paia, with approximate mile markers and a practical time allowance. Markers vary a little among guides, so use them as navigation cues, not a promise that every pullout sits at an exact number.

Quick answer: Start early in Paia, choose a few stops rather than trying to visit every waterfall, and reserve a timed entry for Waianapanapa State Park in advance. If you want the Pipiwai Trail and Kipahulu, staying overnight in Hana makes for a less rushed plan.

What to know before you set out

Paia is the practical starting point. Fill the tank, bring water and food, and download an offline map or audio guide before cell service gets unreliable. Paia has cafes, restaurants and public parking, and is the last major place to fuel up before Hana; Hana has a small gas pump at Hasegawa Store, but don’t count on it as your plan A, according to Shaka Guide and National Geographic.

The Hana Highway is a slow, demanding drive, with blind corners, tight curves and one-lane bridges. Yield at bridges, follow posted signs, and stop only in designated parking areas or pullouts. Don’t block driveways or stop in the road for a photo. Before leaving, check for road closures and current conditions; guides recommend planning for spotty or absent cell service beyond the early part of the route.

If motion sickness is an issue, prepare before the drive. Pack snacks and water, wear shoes you can walk in, and keep a swimsuit and towel handy if you’re considering a waterfall or beach stop. For more trip-planning context, see our Road to Hana guide and Maui car rental guide.

Best stops on the Road to Hana, in order

These are stop times, not drive times. Traffic, a full parking area, weather or a longer hike can add time. The classic drive is about 52 miles to Hana according to Pride of Maui; other guides describe the route from Kahului to Kipahulu as longer, so make sure your map destination matches how far you intend to go.

Paia to Keanae: early stops worth considering

Paia, Ho’okipa and Twin Falls, before and around MM 2

Take care of fuel and supplies in Paia, then consider Ho’okipa Beach Park for a quick look at the surf. It has upper and lower parking areas, restrooms and outdoor showers; turtles may be seen along the shore. Watch from a distance and stay at least 10 feet away from turtles, as Pride of Maui advises. Allow 15 to 30 minutes if you’re just viewing the coast.

Twin Falls is a popular first waterfall stop near MM 2, with short hikes to falls and a farm stand. Set aside 45 to 90 minutes if you want to walk, and expect the trail to be muddy or slippery. Shaka Guide reports a $10 per vehicle parking fee, with limited parking at the farm’s lot; it also notes that roadside parking is prohibited. The fee and access details can change, so check the farm’s current information before you go.

Waikamoi and Garden of Eden, MM 9 to 10.5

Waikamoi Ridge Trail is a short rainforest loop, about 30 minutes at a leisurely pace. It can be muddy, so sturdy shoes are more useful than sandals. The Rainbow Eucalyptus trees are listed at different markers by different guides, roughly MM 6.7 to 10; treat them as a roadside sight rather than a reason to stop in an unsafe place. Hawaii Magazine describes the Waikamoi Ridge loop as about 0.8 mile, while other guides list a shorter trail.

Garden of Eden is the better choice if you want a managed garden walk and can spare the time. It has trails, labeled plants, ocean views and a viewpoint toward Puohokamoa Falls. Allow at least an hour to explore; Pride of Maui lists a $20 parking fee, while prices can change, so confirm the current admission and hours with the garden before setting out. Skip it if your priority is reaching Hana early rather than adding another paid stop.

Keanae to Puaa Kaa: views, food and waterfall breaks

Keanae Arboretum, peninsula and Wailua Valley, MM 16 to 18

Keanae Arboretum has an easy half-mile path through tropical plants, including rainbow eucalyptus, and typically takes about 30 minutes. It’s a good short walk if you want greenery without committing to a long hike. Bring mosquito repellent, and don’t expect facilities at the arboretum, according to Tangled Up in Food.

The Keanae Peninsula detour is for dramatic rocky-coast views, not swimming. Ocean conditions can be dangerous along this exposed shore. Aunty Sandy’s is the local banana-bread stop on the peninsula; it can sell out, so don’t leave it until late in the day. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the detour, snack and viewpoint. Park only in designated areas.

Wailua Valley State Wayside is a brief stop for views across the valley, taro fields and coast. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the viewpoint and steps. Facilities vary in descriptions across guides, so don’t make this your planned restroom stop. A Halfway to Hana stand near MM 17 is another option for banana bread, fruit, snacks and a short break; Shaka Guide lists it as open during daytime hours, but check before relying on a particular vendor.

Upper Waikani Falls and Puaa Kaa, MM 19 to 22

Upper Waikani Falls, also called Three Bears Falls, is best treated as a roadside photo stop. Pull into a designated space and don’t walk along the highway to improve your view. Puaa Kaa State Wayside Park has restrooms, picnic tables and a short trail to a waterfall. Allow 30 to 45 minutes if you walk; the park is a practical break even if you skip the water.

Waterfall pools and streams are not automatically safe for swimming. Heavy rain can cause flash floods, and murky water is a reason to stay out. Follow posted closures and warnings rather than relying on old trip reports. Shaka Guide advises avoiding streams and pools during heavy rain or flood conditions.

Nahiku to Hana: food, black sand and a timed reservation

Near MM 27.5 to 29, Coconut Glen’s and Nahiku Marketplace make convenient snack stops. Coconut Glen’s is known for coconut-milk ice cream; Nahiku has food vendors, picnic tables and portable toilets. Stay on the main route rather than driving down Nahiku Road, which Shaka Guide describes as a narrow residential road. Allow 20 to 40 minutes for a food stop, depending on lines and whether you sit down.

Hana Farms, around MM 31, has a roadside farm stand and food, including wood-fired pizza at Bamboo Hale. It’s a sensible lunch option before or after the park, but don’t assume every offering or schedule is the same on your visit. Allow 30 to 60 minutes to eat and browse.

Waianapanapa State Park, around MM 32, is the stop to plan ahead for. Its black-sand beach, coastal trail, sea arches and lava features can easily take an hour or more. Out-of-state visitors need an advance timed reservation; same-day entry is not available in the Shaka Guide information. That guide lists fees of $10 per vehicle and $5 per person. Fees and booking rules can change, so confirm the current slot, arrival window and charges through the park’s reservation system before you drive. Bring closed-toed shoes for the trail and don’t enter the ocean unless conditions and signs allow it.

Hana town is a good place to stretch, get food and check basic supplies. Hasegawa General Store and local food options are in town; Hana Bay has public restrooms. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for a short stop, longer if you’re having a meal. If you want to explore the area without squeezing it into the drive, consider a night at Hana-Maui Resort or compare options in our Maui area guide.

Hana south to Kipahulu: decide how much day you have

Hamoa Beach is a detour south of Hana, around MM 50 to 51 in the guides. It has a long sandy shore, but there are no lifeguards and waves or currents can be strong. Allow 30 to 60 minutes for the beach, and check conditions that day. Koki Beach is another nearby coastal stop, but one guide specifically advises against swimming there because of large waves and rip currents.

Wailua Falls, around MM 45, is an easy roadside waterfall viewpoint. Allow 10 to 20 minutes, park only where permitted, and use caution if approaching the base because the path can be slippery. Then decide whether you have enough time and energy for Haleakala National Park’s Kipahulu District. The park is about 10 miles beyond Hana; the route’s mile-marker numbering is reported inconsistently, so follow your map to the visitor center rather than relying on a single marker.

The short Kuloa Point Trail is about a half-mile loop with coastal and waterfall views near Oheo Gulch. Swimming access to the pools has been closed for safety in the guides, so don’t plan your visit around a swim. The Pipiwai Trail is the bigger commitment: about four miles round trip and roughly 2 to 3 hours, through rainforest and bamboo to Waimoku Falls. Add the park’s $30 per vehicle entry fee listed by Pride of Maui, valid for three days and also accepted at Haleakala’s Summit District. Confirm current park conditions, fees and trail access with Haleakala National Park before visiting.

For a one-day outing, the Kipahulu hike can turn an already long drive into a very full day. If Pipiwai is a priority, staying in Hana gives you more time and avoids trying to fit the hike and the entire return drive into the same schedule. See our Pipiwai Trail guide for a closer look at that hike.

How we researched this

We compared published Road to Hana guides, including their descriptions of access and safety rules attributed to Hawaii State Parks and Haleakala National Park, and checked where the guides disagree on markers, timing and fees. We did not receive payment from any business mentioned. Park access, reservations, road conditions and prices can change, so confirm those details with the relevant park or operator before leaving.

Before you go

Pick your non-negotiable stops before you start, then leave room to skip one if traffic or weather changes the day. For most first-time drivers, Keanae, Waianapanapa and Hana make a reasonable core; add Twin Falls or Kipahulu only if the time works. If you’re planning to do the whole route and hike Pipiwai, book a night in Hana rather than counting on a fast return after dark.

Keep valuables out of sight, stay on marked trails, and don’t enter water when signs warn against it or streams are swollen. A stop is optional. A safe parking place and a daylight return are not.