Review: Road to Hana

So, can you tell us a little bit about this? The curvaceous Road to Hana, which hugs Maui's northeastern shore around Haleakalā National Park, is one of the island's most memorable experiences, one that will make the hassle of renting a car worth it. The 52-mile road harkens back to a Hawaii before shopping malls and crowds, with 59 bridges to cross—46 of which have only one lane. It's a feast for the eyes and the senses as well, with plenty to see as you pit-stop along the way. 

Any standout features or must-sees? There are practically countless waterfalls, lookout points, and short hikes along the way. Be sure to download one of the many Road to Hana apps before beginning your journey (though look at it beforehand as cell signal may be hard to come by). And whatever you do, be sure to stop at one of the many roadside fruit stands that sell fresh fruit, smoothies, hand-carved Koa wood mementos, and—best of all—oven-warm banana bread.

Was it easy to get around? The road takes about 2.5 hours to drive end-to-end if you make no stops along the way, but where's the fun in that? The trip can easily take up a full day if you stop for hikes and photo ops—and two full days if you decide to sleep overnight in Hana. The roads are quite windy, so those prone to motion sickness should proceed with caution. And remember to drive carefully, especially when the road narrows to a single lane.

All said and done, what—and who—is this best for?
The Road to Hana is the perfect experience for travelers who like to take things as they come. Want to skip this waterfall and wait for the next one? No problem. Want to hike here, not there? Easy to do.