Going to Maui in March and wondering about the drive to Hana. First is worth it, second is there more traffic on the weekends?

The road to Hana is probably worth it, unless you are only on Maui for a few days. That part of the island is unlike the rest, much more lush and tropical. My hesitation to recommend is because I spent the entire trip terrified of getting in a head-on collision at one of the many blind, sharp curves. Plan to leave early to avoid some of the traffic and I have heard weekends are quite a bit busier.

The pineapple trucks were in abundance when we were there. They made the road even narrower! I still would not have missed the trip. It was something. My only suggestion is, if you have the time, spend the night in Hana. We did it all in one day and it was a very long trip. Had I known what we were getting into, I would have overnighted there.

What's the deal with the road to Hana? It's something my wife and I really want to do but I've heard so many different responses. Some people say if you leave around 6:00AM to drive to Haleakala, you can climb the volcano, swim in some natural pools and still be back to your hotel by 2 or 3:00PM. How true is that? We'd like to be back at the hotel before dinner. Is that possible?

The road to Hana is narrow, and has more hairpin turns and one lane bridges than you can shake a stick at. It also has some beautiful scenery. It was an experience. I'm glad I did it but if I ever go back I'm not sure I'll do it again. Over and back was a long ride in one day. In a car I'm almost as bad as a kid...LOL

we were back at our hotel by supper time. it is a gorgious drive. however, i felt really bad for my husband cause while i was enjoying the scenery, he had to concentrate on the road. you might want to consider a mini-van tour so you can both enjoy the day.

The drive to Hana was one of the highlights of our visit to Hawaii, I would say don't miss it! We saw things there that we didn't see anywhere else and our best pictures are from there.

We left early in the morning (before the sun rose) and picked up a driving tour on tape. It came with a map and gave information about things on the drive that we would have missed, otherwise. It was so helpful.

As for time... we stopped at just about everything there was to stop at, we spent longer at each stop than most (others would arrive and leave while we were still there), even stayed for a liesurely swim in the 7 sacred pools at the end, and we did it all in one day. I wouldn't have wanted to stay overnight, personally.

We even tacked on a drive up Haleakala at the end, but I would NOT recommend that. We were up there in time to see the sunset and get some great photos, but after the long day we were tired and the drive down in the dark was incredibly stressful. Save it for another day.

The only reason you might not do the drive to Hana is if you have no confident drivers with you. It's a winding road with some blind hairpin turns and a nervous driver might get stressed out or go too fast when pressed from behind.

Drove to Hana end of February. Start early, buy the CD or tape narrative, very informative but goes fast. Take a picnic lunch. Take a windbreaker, this is the windward side of island & can be cooler & windy.

Take your swimsuit, if it is warm you will want to take a dip in the 7 pool. It was very cool the day we were there but there were intrepid swimmers.

The road is not for the faint of heart, many hairpin turns & blind corners. We were very adventurous & took the road all the way around rather than turning around & going back same way. The scenery is spectacular & completely different from the road to Hana. What there is of a road is very rough but driveable.

It was worth the drive, but it is a very long day & tiring. Glad we did it, but would not be interested in a repeat.

It is a must if you want to experience Maui. DEFINATELY get the tape. Stop at Picnics and get a bag lunch, they're terific. While theroad is winding, you are not doing 65 mph. I hear so many people overly concerned. Be cautious and have fun. We have done the trip 2x and think that a jeep is a must. It makes for a more pleasant experience and the drive is much better.

Good luck, one final recommendation, stop at Mama's Fish House on the way back for dinner.

It's just a twisty but very scenic drive. Main problem is, of course, all the other drivers ! We did it in a van tour (Oct 2000, all day, went right around the "end" past Hana) so we could both just gawk. Downside to that is that you don't control the pace or the stopping places but as a first time it was, I believe, a good choice.
See www.ekahi.com

Have a great trip !

I second the recommendation to stop at Mama's Fish House on the way back. Our timing was perfect as we ended up at Mama's about 5pm. We didn't have reservations because we had no clue when we'd get back, but there was no wait at that time. We got the best table in the house. That was the best dinner (including the atmosphere) that I have ever had.

Well, the trip to Hana was pretty, but I will not go there again. I live in Oregon and most of what I saw there is all around us here. It's a hairpin drive and maybe if I didn't live here in Oregon, I would have enjoyed it much more. Pretty though and Maui is awesome .. love that sunshine!!!