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Road to Hana

Road to Hana Hours & Fees

Driving the 64.4-mile Hana Highway costs nothing and the public road remains open 24/7. Individual stops dictate their own schedules and fees, requiring advance reservations like the $5 entry for Waiʻanapanapa State Park.

Opening Hours

The Hana Highway is a public state road open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Driving after dark is highly discouraged due to severe safety hazards along the unlit route. Individual attractions maintain strict operating schedules, with Waiʻanapanapa State Park enforcing a 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM window.

Day Hours Note
Monday–Friday 24 hours Lane closures for maintenance typically occur between 12:30 AM–11:00 AM or 7:00 AM–5:00 PM.
Saturday–Sunday 24 hours Expect heavy weekend traffic. Leave Kahului by 6:30 AM to stay ahead of large tour buses.
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Extreme tourist crowding during the Christmas holiday season makes securing required reservations for state parks nearly impossible. Heavy downpours during the peak winter rainy season frequently trigger flash floods and rockslides that force sudden road closures. Check the Hawaii DOT website for current highway conditions on the morning of your trip.

Fees & Tickets

Driving the 64.4-mile highway is free, but accessing the individual stops requires separate payments. Waiʻanapanapa State Park charges non-residents $5 per person plus a $10 parking fee, while private attractions like the Garden of Eden and Hana Lava Tube cost between $12 and $20 per adult. Same-day state park reservations do not exist.

Category Price Note
Road to Hana Drive Free Public state road
Waiʻanapanapa State Park Entry (Non-Resident) $5.00 Advance online reservations strictly required
Waiʻanapanapa State Park Parking $10.00 Per vehicle; no same-day bookings
Garden of Eden Arboretum (Adult) $20.00
Kahanu Gardens Entry $18.00 $30.00 for guided tour
Hana Lava Tube (Adult) $12.00 Self-guided tour
Twin Falls Parking $10.00 Flat fee per vehicle; roadside parking prohibited

Hawaii residents with a valid state ID and children ages 3 and under receive free entry and parking at Waiʻanapanapa State Park.

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Best Time to Visit

The best time to drive the highway is between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday during the shoulder seasons. Leaving early keeps you ahead of the slow-moving tour buses and secures parking at spots like Twin Falls. Avoid weekends and peak winter months when heavy downpours frequently trigger flash floods and sudden rockslides.

Period Crowd Level Recommendation
Early morning (06:30–07:30) Low Depart Kahului during this window to stay ahead of tour buses and claim limited parking at initial stops.
Mid-morning (08:00–11:00) High Traffic builds rapidly as day-trippers and guided vans hit the road, causing congestion at the 59 one-lane bridges.
Midday (11:00–14:00) High Required reservations for Waiʻanapanapa State Park fill up fastest during this peak period.
Late afternoon (14:00–17:00) Moderate Drivers begin the 2.5-hour continuous return trip to Kahului before daylight fades and state parks close.
Night (18:00–06:00) Low Navigating 620 sharp curves in the dark presents severe safety hazards and is highly discouraged.

How Long to Spend

A full roundtrip visit requires 10 to 12 hours to accommodate hiking, swimming, and navigating 620 hairpin curves. While a non-stop drive from Kahului to Hana takes 2.5 hours each way, exploring the 4-mile Pipiwai Trail or Waiʻanapanapa State Park extends the day significantly. To avoid rushing, split the itinerary into two days with an overnight stay in Hana Town.

Standard roundtrip sightseeing itinerary 10–12 hours
Guided van tour from Kahului 10 hours
Non-stop drive to Hana (one way) 2.5 hours
Pipiwai Trail hike (4 miles roundtrip) 2–3 hours
Hana Lava Tube self-guided tour 30–45 min

Visitor Tips

01

Leave Early Mid-Week

Start the drive from Kahului between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Beating the large tour buses out of town secures flat parking spots at early stops like Twin Falls. Weekend traffic turns the 59 narrow one-lane bridges into massive bottlenecks.

02

Book Black Sand Early

Reserve access to Waiʻanapanapa State Park weeks before your trip. The state prohibits same-day bookings for the black sand beach, charging non-residents $5 per person and $10 per vehicle. Midday time slots sell out first during the summer and winter holidays.

03

Target Drier Shoulder Seasons

Plan your visit during the drier shoulder seasons to minimize the risk of sudden flash floods. Heavy winter rain frequently triggers rockslides and immediate road closures along the 64.4-mile route. Exit any freshwater pool the moment the water level rises or turns muddy.

04

Wear Closed-Toe Shoes

Lace up sturdy, closed-toe shoes to navigate sharp volcanic rocks and slippery mud trails. Flip-flops leave your feet completely exposed to severe cuts during off-trail hikes. Pack a wet/dry bag to store damp swimwear after visiting the waterfalls.

05

Fill Tank In Pa'ia

Top off your gas tank completely in Pa'ia before starting the winding drive. The only other fuel station sits 64 miles away in Hana and charges exceptionally high prices. Download an offline GPS app like Shaka Guide before leaving town, as cell service vanishes completely along the cliffs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a toll or entrance fee to drive the Road to Hana?

Driving the 64.4-mile highway costs nothing, but specific stops require paid entry. Waiʻanapanapa State Park charges non-residents a $10 vehicle parking fee plus $5 per person. The Garden of Eden Arboretum costs $20 per adult, while exploring the Hana Lava Tube runs $12.

Do I need advance reservations for any stops?

Non-residents must secure parking and entry time slots for Waiʻanapanapa State Park weeks before arriving. Same-day bookings do not exist for this black sand beach location. Accessing the Kipahulu District of Haleakalā National Park requires a standard National Park pass at the gate.

How long does the entire drive take?

A standard roundtrip visit requires 10 to 12 hours to accommodate hiking, swimming, and navigating 620 hairpin curves. Driving non-stop from Kahului to Hana Town takes about 2.5 hours each way. Leaving Kahului between 6:30 AM and 7:00 AM helps drivers beat the large tour buses and secure designated parking spots.

What are the operating hours for the highway and attractions?

Route 360 remains open to the public 24 hours a day, though navigating the 59 one-lane bridges at night presents severe safety hazards. State parks and private gardens enforce strict daytime hours. Waiʻanapanapa State Park opens its gates at 7:00 AM and clears visitors out by 6:00 PM.

How much is the fine for illegal parking?

Maui County issues a total penalty of $235 for parking illegally on the highway shoulders. This includes a base $35 citation plus a $200 surcharge designed to deter drivers from blocking local traffic flow. Visitors must keep both tires over the white line in designated, marked spaces to avoid a ticket.

Where can I buy gas along the route?

The town of Hana operates the only gas station past Pa'ia. Prices run exceptionally high at this remote pump due to its monopoly on the eastern coast. Drivers should fill their tanks completely in Pa'ia before starting the 64.4-mile coastal route.

How much does it cost to park at Twin Falls?

The private farm managing Twin Falls charges a $10 flat fee for access to its dedicated parking lot. Roadside parking outside this lot is strictly prohibited and heavily enforced. Paying the fee allows visitors to walk the short dirt path to the freshwater pools and access the onsite fruit stand.

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