Driving the Road to Hana (aka The Perfect Road Trip)

The 64.4-mile long Hana Highway is the ultimate road trip. Wrapping around the north, east, and parts of the southern coast of Maui, the drive has more scenic views than you can possibly imagine! Expect to see jaw-dropping vistas, magnificent waterfalls, and lush rainforests just to name a few.

As you drive along this epic highway, you’ll quickly come to see why the Road to Hana driving tours are some of Shaka Guide's most popular excursions.

Shaka Guide's Road to Hana Tour Comparison

*See more details below. 

Learn more about each tour and check out the complete list of pros and cons for all three Shaka Guide Road to Hana experiences below!

Which Road to Hana driving tour is right for you?

Because this road trip is so epic, Shaka Guide has created three different Road to Hana tours:

• Classic Rood To Hana Driving Tour
• Loop Road To Hana Driving Tour
• Reverse Route Road To Hana Driving Tour

Keep scrolling to find the perfect tour for your Maui adventure!

Classic Road to Hana Driving Tour

Shaka Guide's Classic Road to Hana Driving Tour takes you along the most common route tourists take to experience the Hana Highway. This drive starts near the airport in Kahului, heads to Kipahulu just past Hana Town, and returns the way same way you came along Hana Highway, ending in Pa'ia (about 15 minutes from Kahului). You'll make most of the stops on your way to Hana. On the way back, the Shaka Guide tour will captivate you with facinating stories and local history so that you can focus completely on the drive. You'll be entertained the entire way!

The drive alone takes about 2-3 hours from Kahului to Kipahulu. (The round trip drive time is 4-6 hours.) However, you should budget around 10-12 hours to see all the sights and activities.

Along the way, you'll find natural wonders like cascading waterfalls, lush rainforests, enchanting beaches, and scenic lookouts.

Advantages to Shaka Guide's Classic Road to Hana Tour:

• The road is well-mainted and paved the entire way. 
• It’s the easiest driving route of the three options.
• The entire route has beautiful scenic spots where you can stop and enjoy nature.
• You'll listen to stories and get turn-by-turn navigation and trip guidance along the entire route.
• You can turn around at any point for a shorter journey. 
• Because it's an out-and-back route, you can visit spots you missed earlier on your way back.
• The entire return trip is filled with stories about Hawaiian history -- you'll leave with a deeper love for Hawaii!

Disadvantages to Shaka Guide's Classic Road to Hana Tour:

• It's the most popular route, meaning it's more crowded with traffic.
• Because this route is an out-and-back route, you miss the back road to Hana, which has some great stops (but is not for the faint of heart -- see more below)

For more information about the Classic Road to Hana Driving Tour check out our suggested itinerary here. And, if you're ready to take the tour, here's everything you need to know before you go! 

Loop Road to Hana Driving Tour

Shaka Guide's Loop Road to Hana Driving Tour is a beautiful journey that starts in Kahului and ends at Kula in Upcountry Maui. However, unlike the Classic tour, you won't be returning the same way. Instead, you'll continue driving past Kipahulu and circle around the back side of Haleakala Volcano on what is known as the Back Road to Hana.

The Loop Road to Hana Driving Tour is a more difficult drive compared to the Classic route, but the Loop route offers exceptional scenic views, including sights you’ll only see by going beyond Kipahulu. 

Advantages to Shaka Guide's Loop Road to Hana Tour:

• Experience the scenic Back Road to Hana, full of breathtaking natural beauty.
• Get amazing sunset views from the leeward side of the island.
• More adventure compared to the Classic tour.
• Less traffic on the return drive -- you don't need to drive the same road back with everyone else returning to Pa'ia. 
• The return drive offers new scenery and views to explore. 
• The entire route has beautiful scenic spots where you can stop and enjoy nature.
• You'll listen to stories and get turn-by-turn navigation and trip guidance along the entire route.

Disadvantages to Shaka Guide's Loop Road to Hana Tour:

• The back road is poorly maintained and may be closed to visitors at times. (Please check the road status and respect all road closure signs.) 
• There are fewer facilities and amenities on the back road.
• The Back Road to Hana includes sections of dirt road, narrow lanes with blind corners, sheer coastal cliffs with rusty guardrails, and a risk of falling rocks. The drive is not for insecure or inexperienced drivers or people scared of heights. 
• Many rental car agreements don't cover the Back Road to Hana - check your rental car agreement or travel at your own risk. 
• If you need a tow, it takes full day for companies to come out. 

For more information about the Loop Road to Hana Driving Tour check out our suggested itinerary here. And, if you're ready to take the tour, here's everything you need to know before you go! 

Reverse Road to Hana Driving Tour

Some consider Shaka Guide's Reverse Road to Hana Driving Tour to be the best for experiencing this scenic road trop. This route starts from Kula in Upcountry Maui and ends in Pa'ia at the traditional starting point for the journey. 

Advantages to Shaka Guide's Reverse Road to Hana Tour:

• Experience the scenic backside of Hana full with breathtaking natural beauty.
• Arrive at Seven Sacred Pools (Pools of 'Ohe'o) in Haleakala National Park and Hana Town -- two of the most popular stops -- before the crowds. 
• You're driving against traffic (this can also be a con -- see below). 
• More adventure compared to the Classic tour.
• The entire route has beautiful scenic spots where you can stop and enjoy nature.
• You'll listen to stories and get turn-by-turn navigation and trip guidance along the entire route.

Disadvantages to Shaka Guide's Reverse Road to Hana Tour:

• You'll be driving against traffic, which can be good, but also means you might get stopped at one-lane bridges when multiple cars are passing. 
• The back road is poorly maintained and may be closed to visitors at times. (Please check the road status and respect all road closure signs.) 
• There are fewer facilities and amenities on the back road.
• The Back Road to Hana includes sections of dirt road, narrow lanes with blind corners, sheer coastal cliffs with rusty guardrails, and a risk of falling rocks. The drive is not for insecure or inexperienced drivers or people scared of heights. 
• Many rental car agreements don't cover the Back Road to Hana - check your rental car agreement or travel at your own risk. 
• If you need a tow, it takes full day for companies to come out. 

For more information about the Reverse Road to Hana Driving Tour check out our suggested itinerary here. And, if you're ready to take the tour, here's everything you need to know before you go! 

How to Choose the Best Road to Hana Driving Tour for You

Here are some additional ways to determine which Road to Hana tour is the best for your Maui adventure: 

• The best drive will depend on your preferences and capabilities. If you’re afraid of heights or an insecure driver, choose the Classic tour. 
• You might also prefer to stay overnight in Hana Town, if this is the case, we recommend opting for the Classic or Loop tours. 
• If you're looking to spend time hiking the Pipiwai Trail or the Seven Sacred Pools (Pools of 'Ohe'o) trail at Haleakala National Park -- one of the most popular spots on the tour -- we recommend the Reverse tour. You'll get there early before the crowds. On the other routes many people get caught up in the earlier stops and are rushed at this stop because they want to continue home before it get's dark. 
• If you want to see the rarely explored and untamed beauty of the Back Road to Hana, you should opt for the Loop or Reverse tours. 

The Road to Hana remains a must-do road trip when you’re on Maui. Whatever route you choose, the journey will be full of beauty, culture, and adventure. 

If you’re still having a hard time deciding which tour is right for you, send us a message on Facebook and Instagram, and we'll help you out! Or download the Maui Tour Bundle to get all of our Maui tours and try each Road to Hana experience during your trip. 

Please Note: There is only one road into and out of Hana. Locals have to drive this road everyday and the thousands of daily drivers on this one-lane highway greatly impacts their lives. Please be respectful — do not park illegally, pay attention to signs, drive responsibly, and pull over to let locals pass. Do not enter private property or visit sites that are unsafe. And, please remember to pick up your trash.

For more on being a responsible traveler to Hawaii, click here. You can also learn about proper Road to Hana etiquette here. And, before you travel to Hawaii, be sure to take the Pono Pledge here. 

For more on planning your Road to Hana experience, check out our Drive the Road to Hana Like a Pro With These Must Know Tips. 

Traveling to Maui? Shaka Guide have three more driving tours on the island. Check out our Sunrise at Haleakala National Park Tour, Sunset and Stargazing Haleakala Tour, and West Maui Coastline Tour. 

This article was originally published on August 29, 2019. It has since been updated. 

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