Transport yourself to the real world Jurassic Park by traveling the famous Road to Hana on the east side of Maui. With over 600 hairpin turns, the Road to Hana with kids is not for the faint of heart but it is hands down one of the best experiences in Maui. When we completed this 64 mile route, our boys were 4, 2, and 1 and while there were definitely challenges doing it with littles it was still so much fun and I would do it again in a heartbeat! Check out this article for tips, driving info and top places to stop on the Road to Hana with kids.
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Tips for the Road to Hana with Kids
🌙 Stay Overnight: My biggest tip for really enjoying the Road to Hana with kids is to stay overnight in Hana. This way you are not rushed to do everything in one day and can really enjoy the experience without burning out.
🤙🏼 Download the Shaka Guide: A GPS based audio tour that will guide you along the Road to Hana. This guide is only $25 and really makes your Road to Hana drive feel like you’re on a private tour of your own.
💰 Bring Cash: Many vendors along the Road to Hana don’t accept credit cards so be sure to have cash on you.
🍴 Pack Snacks: There are not a ton of places to stop for food on the Road to Hana and you never know when some will be open. Be sure to pack snacks for the drive.
🤢 Motion Sickness Relief: The Road to Hana is very windy and if you’re someone that gets motion sick, this is the easiest way to turn a fun adventure into a nightmare. I personally get really bad motion sickness but I used a nausea relief band and it was a life saver. I was able to make it through the entire drive both directions without any major motion sickness. Be sure to pack kids Dramamine and adult Dramamine as a backup.
⛽ Top Off Your Gas: There is a gas station in Hana; however, you don’t want to be worrying about your gas levels when gas is not readily available. Fill up in Paia before you start on the Road to Hana with kids.
🚻 Plan Bathroom Breaks: Especially with little kids, there are only a few places to stop for bathrooms along the Road to Hana so be sure to know where your options are ahead of time. See bathroom break callouts throughout the article below.
🎧 Don’t Forget the Car Entertainment: Our kids do ok with long drives but anything over a couple hours calls for reinforcements. We loved having their travel Yoto players and tablets for some car entertainment to break up the drive for them.
👙 Bring Swimsuits + Towels: If you plan to stop for any waterfall swims, be sure to have swimsuits and towels easily accessible.
Driving the Road to Hana with Kids – What to Expect
Yes, the Road to Hana is very, very windy but we thought the overall roads were in great shape and driving conditions were fine. As long as you go at your own pace and remain vigilant of your surroundings, you will be alright. Here are our top driving tips for the Road to Hana with kids:
🤙🏼 Let Locals Pass: You will see signs for this everywhere but make sure to let any vehicles behind you pass. Just make a quick pull to the side and let them go around you. They’ll probably give you a nice honk and a Shaka.
↪️ Be Cautious Around Turns: There are many turns where you cannot see around the curve. Be mindful of yield signs and take turns slowly.
☀️ Drive During the Day: Driving the Road to Hana at night adds more difficulty to the already challenging roads. If you’re driving the Road to Hana all in one day, be sure to leave in time to get back before sunset.
🕚 Drive at Off Peak Times: Most people try and do the Road to Hana in one day which means it’s really busy one direction in the morning and the other direction in the late afternoon. Another benefit of staying in Hana overnight is that you can leave for Hana mid-day and avoid a lot of the traffic.
🗺️ Use GPS Maps to Help see Upcoming Turns: Having maps loaded to your gps helps you see what turns look like ahead helping you have a better idea of what’s coming up. It makes driving an unfamiliar road much easier.
📲 Download Maps for Offline Use: Speaking of maps, make sure you download Google maps of the Road to Hana area to your phone for offline use. There is not much service along the Road to Hana so you don’t want to be stuck without directions.
🚐 Join a Tour: If driving the Road to Hana sounds like a lot to manage, you can always choose to take a tour instead. Leave the driving up to a local and let them show you the best stops on the Road to Hana without the stress. Book a small group tour or a private tour for just your family.
Where to Stay in Hana with Kids
As I noted above, staying in Hana is my top tip for having the best experience on the Road to Hana with kids and more time to really explore all the stops. We stayed at the Hana-Maui Resort in Hana and absolutely loved it for a balance of adventure and relaxation. These are our top three favorite accommodations in Hana:
- Hana-Maui Resort – $$ (best for location and amenities)
- Hana Homestead – $$$ (best for larger families)
- Hana Kai Apartments – $ (best budget option)
Top Stops on the Road to Hana with Kids
Ok, here we go, the top stops on the Road to Hana with kids. Keep in mind (especially if you are staying in Hana for one or two nights) you can – and should – divide these stops up between the drive there and home. If you’re trying to do the Road to Hana in one day, you will not have time for all of this so be sure to plan on how much time each stop will take. Pick and choose your favorites and have a few backups if time permits. Be sure to stop in Paia first to top up on gas and grab food before you begin the Road to Hana.
If you’re staying in Hana for two nights (like we did) check out how we divided these stops between our drive to and from Hana and our time in Hana in our 7 Day Maui Itinerary With Kids: The Ultimate Family-Friendly Travel Guide
Twin Waterfalls
Mile Marker #2 | Parking: $10 per vehicle | Stop Length: 30 min-1 hour
This is the first easily accessible waterfalls on the Road to Hana. Stop at the Twin waterfalls for a quick hike and optional quick dip. Follow the trail to the first two waterfalls where you can take a quick dip in the swimming hole if you want. The entire hike is 1.5 miles if you’re up for it but with littles I’d say keep this one short.
Eucalyptus Rainbow Trees
Mile Marker #7 | Parking: Free – Side of road | Stop Length: 5 min
These beautiful trees are pretty surreal. The sides of them are covered in rainbow stripes and photos do not do it justice. This is a quick stop and so worth it!
🚻 Bathroom Break: Kaumahina State Wayside Park (mile marker #12) is an easy spot to stop for the bathroom in the first half of the Road to Hana!
Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread
Mile Marker #16 | Parking: Free – very limited | Stop Length: 5-10 min
Aunty Sandy’s is a must stop along the Road to Hana. Take a quick detour at mile marker #16 to Aunty Sandy’s where you can order Banana Bread (of course), smoothies and other snacks. They do make their banana bread fresh all day so depending on when you stop, it’s possible you will have to wait 15-20 minutes for bread. If that happens to you, head to the Ke’anae Peninsula for some awesome views while you wait.
🚻 Bathroom Break: If you keep driving past Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread there is a bathroom building on the right if you need it.
Ke’anae Peninsula
Mile Marker #16 | Parking: Free | Stop Length: 15 min
Drive down to the Ke’Anae Peninsula and lookout for some awesome views of the crashing waves and rugged coastline! This tiny little Hawaiian village is a nice little pit stop off the main Road to Hana highway.
🚻 Bathroom Break: Pua‘a Ka‘a State Wayside (mile marker #22) is an easy bathroom stop toward the middle of the Road to Hana.
Hana Lava Tube
Mile Marker #31 | Entrance: $15/pp (Under 5 free) | Stop Length: 45 min
If you’ve never seen a lava tube, this is a unique experience worth a stop on the Road to Hana. Lava tubes are natural tunnels formed by flowing lava that forms a crust on the outside but the molten inner lava keeps flowing downhill. Stop here for a self-guided tour with a high powered flashlight between 10: 30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Better for kids that are sure footed and not afraid of the dark.
Waiʻānapanapa State Park
Mile Marker #32 | Parking: $10/vehicle + $5/per person | Stop Length: 1-2 hours
We loved the Black Sand Beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park; however, this one can be a bit more difficult to plan for due to strict reservation entrance times that you must book well in advance. If you’re doing Hana in one day, book this for later in the afternoon. If you’re staying overnight in Hana, book this for a morning time slot and try and get there right when it opens. The Black Sand Beach does get very crowded very early so be prepared to share this stop with a lot of people. We loved exploring the small little cave right at the bottom of the stairs and the short coastal hike at the far end of the beach.
✔️ Be sure to make reservations for Wai’anapanapa State Park at least a week in advance to be sure you can secure the time you want. Make your reservations here!
Hana Town + Food Trucks
Mile Marker #34 | Parking: Free – Side of road | Stop Length: 30 min
If you aren’t staying overnight, be sure to stop in the town of Hana and grab some food at the food trucks. There are two different food truck stops right off the highway. We loved Da Mean Bean and Poke Bob’s at the first food truck stop on your left and Orale Tacos at the second food truck stop on your right. Note: If you’re trying to do the Road to Hana in one day, this would be an easy spot to skip so you have more time for hiking and other scenic stops assuming you have food with you.
If you are staying in Hana, end your trip here for the day and start your day tomorrow with a nearby hike in Haleakala National Park or Waianapanapa State Park.
Wailua Falls
Mile Marker #45 | Parking: Free – Side of road | Stop Length: 5 min
This is a really easy side of the road stop provides great views of Wailua Falls. Park on the side of the road and walk over to the small bridge for an up close look – keep a close eye on kiddos with cars passing.
Pipiwai Trail/Oheo Gulch Trail – My Favorite Stop on the Road to Hana with Kids
Mile Marker #42 | Parking: $30 per vehicle | Stop Length: 2-4 hours
Both of these hike are easily accessed from the same parking lot located in Haleakala National Park from the Road to Hana.
The Pipiwai Trail Hike is a 4-mile out and back hike that goes past a giant banyan tree, through a bamboo forest and ends at a beautiful waterfall. This is an easy hike for kids who are willing to hike four miles. If your kids aren’t up for such a long hike, you could go to the banyan tree (about .6 miles each direction) or the bamboo grove (about 1 mile each direction) and turn around.
The Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) Hike is a 1.5 mile out and back hike to see the seven pool and multiple waterfalls. This one is an easy option for younger kids. If you have time, you can easily do both trails during your time here.
Note: There is no swimming in the park due to safety concerns.
Keep your Haleakala National Park Pass: If you visit the summit of the Haleakala Volcano on the west side of the island during your time in Maui before the Road to Hana, keep your pass with you as you can use it again when you visit Haleakala National Park from the east side for these hikes.
Other Reads
- 7 Day Maui Itinerary With Kids: The Ultimate Family-Friendly Travel Guide
- Maui Activities for Families: Complete Guide to Maui with Kids
- Best Affordable Maui Tours for Families: 10 Adventures Under $100
- Packing for International Travel with Kids: Complete Packing Guide
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