Road To Hana (Maui) - Toughest Section
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- čas přidán 5. 05. 2015
- This is the dashcam video of the toughest 30 minutes on the famous Road to Hana in Maui. As you can see, the drive is not dangerous as long as the driver keeps his/her eyes on the road and watches out for those occasional speeding demons that don't know what "Yield" means.
Just drove this road yesterday and contrary to some comments below, and while we encountered plenty of stupid reckless tourists, the worst drivers we encountered on the Road to Hana were clearly locals, generally driving large SUVs or large beat-up pickup trucks, many hauling trailers, and they were seriously scary. They have no evident concern for oncoming traffic as they barrel down the road at high speeds, routinely driving in the middle of the road and often even on the wrong side. At one point, we were stopped for one of the many single lane bridges and just as we prepared to go, a local, coming the other way, blasted into the wrong side of the road, accelerating around 2 cars patiently waiting for their turn, that he was evidently tired of being behind, and roared across the bridge as I slammed on the brakes. I don't think he missed us by more than a few inches. This was only the most egregious act, but it was scary how common it was as we drove the rest of the way to Hana then turned around to head back. Another local on a motorcycle passed myself and 3 other cars on a blind curve. Just HUH?
Wow, a lot has changed since I last drive this road in the late 80s. At that time, the car rental companies had a clause in the contract that you had to sign, promising that you would not drive their car on the Road to Hana unless you were renting a jeep. I did it anyway, in a Nissan Sentra, and there were times on the sections of the road that were gravel and bad;y rutted or with deep potholes where I was picking the route for my tires and inching along with some part of the car's underside scraping the top layer of gravel (gently, I hoped). On some of the high altitude hairpin turns, there was no guard rail or anything along the edge to prevent just driving off into space and a LONG fall to the ocean. Much of those sections were very narrow and single track. I recall coming around one of those turns and meeting a truck full of workers coming the other way....I was currently heading uphill and the truck was heading downhill, and he could not back up....I had to back down to the nearest wider area without any ability to see anything behind me except open air....very scary.
It was a spectacular drive, though, and I was glad that I did it. I had heard that the state had since improved and fully paved this road, and it looks like it is much easier to drive now, although there are clearly still narrow areas and you can't make any kind of speed on the road.
I also recall not being able to find places to pull over and park to take short walks to the edge or to see all the little waterfalls. But the traffic then was very light, and I often just stopped in the road and walked short distances from the car to take pictures.
Once at Hana, I realized there was no 'there' there.....just a little one horse town with no reason to stop. But I also realized that I had been lucky with my little rental car, getting to Hana without damaging it, and I did not want to risk going back the same way. So I continued on clockwise around the island, on what I think was highway 37 past Kaupo. I recall that stretch was a much easier and faster drive, but the road was entirely empty of other cars, and it was often just dirt. There was not as much of a steep slope on the mountainside either, so not too many switchbacks and hairpin curves to deal with. But at one point the road just ended at a field or pasture, although my map showed an unimproved road proceeding ahead (and this was in the days long before GPS navigation). I finally realized that under the brass there was a dirt path or road, and just inched along carefully until I got to the other side of the field, where I got onto a better and more obvious dirt road and eventually got 'back to civilization'. I later found a car wash and made sure to hose away all evidence, especially from under the car, that it had been 'off road'.
Thanks for the information! I learned a lot reading your posting.
Love the classic soothing music but too scary for me😥
This is such good insight and very helpful. Great idea to post this and thanks for doing it.
Thanks. Glad you found it useful. If you are planning a trip to Maui, plan on spending at least a day at Hana. That place has its own enchanting beauty.
Just got back recently and the video helped my mindset so much. Started early morning and didn't head back till night. The night drive was in pitch darkness...woooo. What a thrill, and you are right about it having its own magic. Maui is a beautiful place. Thanks again.
Just dove through here yesterday. What an awesome and amazing drive. The best in my 44 years alive and the best in Maui. Well the worst drive for me was today in you guessed it , Maui also ! I drove all the way around Maui, the last part was scary as hell. After visiting a blowhole, it started raining and got worse through some of the worst roads I've seen since Mexico lol.
what road was scary???? I'm going this summer and want to AVOID that!!! lol
I am so nervous to do this drive. There are a few things I want to do on my honeymoon this year which involve the road to hana and I have pretty bad car anxiety so I am nervous so ive been watching videos of people drive it haha. Im glad to see that most people go pretty slow, makes me feel a bit better.
We were nervous too before we did this drive. Our biggest fear was going off the road and falling off a cliff. But that fear was soon gone - the guard rails and trees won't allow you to do it even if you wanted to. Plus the slow speed of traffic due to the frequent bends in the road is reassuring.
The thing that's seems tough is the length of this drive. I'm very conflicted to do this drive on my upcoming solo trip bc I dont want to spend that much time in a car for seemingly little reward from what I'm viewing online via research. Also not sure how scenic or fun it will be when you are the driver on a solo adventure.
Watch the guard rail on the way back. It looks like it had it’s fair share of hits.
Planning a trip to Maui this summer. Is there a big risk with falling off the cliff?? Eeeekkks, I’m so nervous.
No danger from cliff falls as there are plenty of guard rails. Biggest risk is running out of endurance handling those never-ending road curves. Just don’t drive and watch the view at the same time. This requires continuous focus from the driver.
I saw in another video that there’s an unpaved single lane dirt road. Is this the case? We will be in a van because that’s the only way we can fit with our children so I’m concerned if this is an unavoidable road. They mentioned a “full loop” so maybe it’s an added path?
The dirt road is optional and is on the other (West) coastline of Maui. What you see in this video is the worst you will need to encounter if you choose the quickest drive to Hana.
The road to Hana is beautiful but if you have a weak stomach avoid it! I was so sick and wanted to kick myself for not taking something for car sickness. When we reached the top and stopped at the Hasegawa General store. I purchased packet of air sick meds. I asked my daughter which way we were going to get back to Maui she said the same way we came. Reason I wanted to see Hana was my mother went to school in Hana. Wonder how she handled that because she had a weak stomach too.
It is only dangerous when some crazy mainland tourist drives irresponsibly and recklessly. Drove it today and had several near misses with upscale SUVS not yielding.
Black Sand beach is worth it!!
If I had more time, I would have went to OHEO Gulch further down.
BTW I am from the mainland and those shitty drivers are from the mainland, probably metro LA which is close to my neck of the woods.
Thanks for the video, I'm going to Maui in 2 weeks and this is on the list. The drive doesn't look bad at all:)
Are there a lot of turnoffs to stop at for pics? Also how much driving is involved? 8hrs round trip not including stops?
The turnoffs for pictures are very limited. Not too many places to pull over and take pictures or go on a short hike, especially by the numerous waterfalls. A one-way trip takes about a couple of hours. Hana makes a good day trip. Hope you have a great trip to Maui.
DrMKC hanks a lot I appreciate it. 2 weeks and counting:)
I this on the way back from Hana?
You are correct. We recorded the journey both ways, but on the way back the clouds set in and it started to rain. Since we want to show viewers the worst they may expect, rain and all, the video clip is of the return journey. Actually the worst situation would be driving at night in a thunderstorm ... but that is what most drivers would seek to avoid.
Which driver gets right of way at a bridge?
The driver who gets to the bridge first gets the right of way. However, if you are part of a convoy of vehicles, then the unspoken rule seems to be to let the whole convoy through.
Thanks for the reply. You could always be courteous and allow the car on the other side to come through by flashing your lights, even if you technically have the right of way :-)
Cool
if this road was 2 laned for its entire length, it would be so much fun. Those one lane bridges ruin it.
Did this last week...not worth it. Would have stayed all week on Kaanapali Beach instead. Seen one waterfall, seen them all.
There's lots more to the drive than just waterfalls. We found Hana to be a charming little town with scenic views, especially at Hana bay. A little further is the grave of famed aviator Charles Lindbergh. The drive itself has its own charms with the lush greenery, hairpin bends and relatively slow speed of travel.
agree. My wife and I have taken the back road twice. Amazing journey through a desert like area then through the forests. Stopped at Alelele Falls; great place for a quiet hangout .Recommend the hike through the bamboo forest.
I think it's the kind of thing to do once imo to say that you did it. I lived on the Big Island. We have places pretty similar to this where the roads aren't as crowded either. If someone has limited time on a trip I would skip doing the R2H. It seems to be either people love it and say shit like it changed their lives (lol) or that it was a waste of a day and overrated (which to me it is).
The toughest part is when mainlanders start honking recklessly on slow drivers. Saw two today trying to bully tourists off with their giant trucks. I thought you guys all drive slow? Lol