We're thinking of doing the drive around the North shore of Maui when we're there in November. My husband is a little nervous about the driving itself. Has anyone around here done the drive, and is it worth it?

Are you refering to the Road to Hana?

It is a simple drive. Not that bad at all. If you've ever done the Big Sur Highway, this is a piece of cake.

The ride is beautiful and you are stopping constantly. The thing to note though is that it is 33 miles one way (we stopped around mile 24 and turned around). After you get done you have to come back. Most people are speeding on the way back so that can be problematic. Generally guide books give you mile by mile information so you know what to stop and see or do. We turned around at a nice park area because it seemed to be the last thing before Hana anyway.

At some stops along the road you can see the road you just traveled and it is windy and narrow, but when you are driving it, it doesn't feel that way at all. Mainly because the speed is low.

During high tourist season the road can be crowded. We went in May and it was perfect.

Hope this is what you were referring to.

gnr

It is mentioned on our website - http://groups.msn.com/bernsteinalbum. Click vacations then Hawaii. You can look at the full trip or skip straight to the Maui page.

gnr

Thanks, GNR. We are planning on doing the Road to Hana but I was referring to the drive around the northwest corner of the island. Supposedly there is a lot of wild country around there, some of it even better than Hana.

The Maui northshore loop -- at least the western portion -- is fairly easy to drive. It's the Route 340 section that is slow-going, due to the many twists and turns. Here's a map (notice that Hana is on the southeast, not north):
http://www.bestofhawaii.com/maps/images/maui.jpg

The drive is definitely "worth it"!

Yes, but the ROAD TO HANA, is on the north shore of the eastern section. And Hana is east not southeast.

gnr

I didn't drive the North Shore, but know a couple who did and they were pretty horrified by it. It's not for the anyone with fragile nerves. This couple also did the Road to Hana and found that relatively easy. It is worthy to note, however, that they did it when it was rainy, probably making it more frightening. But their details of the trip made my husband and I go only as far as the Blow Hole and then we turned around.

If you are sure that it will be a nice day at that section of the island, it might be worth it. But when it started to rain on our day as well, there was no way we were going to chance it.

"Maui Revealed" warns that it can be treacherous and they are the same people who recommended that you go all the way around the volcano in the Road to Hana (which we did and were not sorry).

Hope this helps.

We have done this route twice and love it! The scariest thing is that the road gets very narrow and its scary going around tight curves when you can't tell if another car is going to hit you head on. Honking is a good idea around the curves. You are up quite high at times and there aren't always guardrails on the road so I would definately start from Kapalua so you are hugging the inside of the road! I wouldn't want to do the same drive coming from the opposite direction. It is definately worth it!

We enjoyed the drive around the North shore of Maui much more than the road to Hana. There was a long section that was a very narrow and curvy one lane. Just take it slow - it really wasn't that bad a drive - there wasn't much traffic. We stopped to see the Dragon's Teeth, the blowhole and the Olivine pools. Definitely worth the trip!

We have been all the way around the island. It is very well worth it, but I would do it on a day when there is not alot of rain expected. I really dont know why they say to not go all the way around. I think the road to Hana is the worst of it myself. It is all very beautiful and worth the drive and the time.

I may be the minority here... but I had a problem with this drive. The turns with little visibility paled in comparison to some of the steep hills. I was there with my sister and we were literally pulled over to the side deciding whether to go further. We finally decided to turnaround. Not for the faint of heart... that is for sure.

Beautiful drive. DH drove and I was a little scared at times, but he is a great driver. Lots of twists and turns on narrow roads, but so worth it!

I just came back and did both drives. The drive around the west side (Kahana north and around) is spectacular but does have about 1 1/2 mile of one way road. Meaning only one direction at a time. Sounds scary but there are turn outs. It is also well paved. You might have to back up once or twice but no big deal, just roll down your window, enjoy the novelty and say Aloha to the driver in the other direction. Make sure you go clockwise so you are going with traffic so you will have to back up less. The good thing is that MOST people you meet going the other way are good natured tourists like yourself.

Don't miss the blow hole or the olivine pools. Like nothing I have ever seen.

The Hana drive is not as narrow but much bumpier. No need for a 4-wheel drive. Once you pass the Oolewo gorge (I'm sure I spelled that wrong but it is 7 miles past Hana) it gets narrow for a short time and is gravel road but nothing horrible when we went in July. The winter months may change that but I'm now sure.

Both drives were well worth it and I would recommend them to anyone.