Only 64-Mile Road Long, And Still Ranks Among America’s Most Scenic Drives
The Road to Hana has long been more than just a drive. It is a journey through waterfalls, rainforests, and sea cliffs along one of Maui’s most dramatic coastlines.
Now, a new study has put the 64-mile route back in the spotlight, not for its length but for the sheer volume of admiration it inspires online.
0-60 Specs, a leading source for vehicle performance data, ranked scenic drives by their popularity on Instagram to reveal which highways travelers most want to capture.
Short but Mighty: Road to Hana’s Place Among the Giants
With millions of posts analyzed, Hawaii’s Road to Hana earned the No. 5 spot in America’s top ten most scenic drives, with over 409,000 Instagram posts dedicated to its lush tropical vistas.
What sets Road to Hana apart is its modest 64-mile length, which is unusually brief compared to others in the top ten. Most competitors in the ranking stretch for hundreds or even thousands of miles.
By contrast, the chart-topping Route 66 covers nearly 2,500 miles, running from Chicago to Santa Monica, and gathers over 2.3 million Instagram posts.
The Blue Ridge Parkway, at No. 2, also dwarfs Road to Hana in length, yet still attracts less than a third of Route 66’s photo-sharing popularity, with 728,000 posts.
The prevalence of longer routes among the top ten makes Road to Hana’s ranking even more notable. It is easier to garner more posts on lengthier trips across several states.
What Makes Road to Hana So Popular
The Road to Hana traces a 64-mile journey along the northeastern shore of Maui. The drive starts near Kahului and eventually leads to the small town of Hana, or the other way around.
Unlike many mainland scenic routes lined with endless cities, the Road to Hana winds past only a handful of villages, with long stretches of rainforest and dramatic sea cliffs in between.
Part of Road to Hana’s enduring social media appeal could be its combination of cascading waterfalls, emerald rainforests, and the striking contrasts between volcanic beaches and tropical vegetation.
Among the most photographed spots are Wailua Falls, one of the many waterfalls in Maui that are directly visible from the Hana Highway.
The black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park seems tailor-made for selfies. The ever-changing weather and light along the coast give visitors new scenes to capture every time.
The Pipiwai Trail is also a popular hiking trail across a bamboo forest leading to two waterfalls, Makahiku Falls and Waimoku Falls.
The Garden of Eden Arboretum is one of Maui’s most striking stops, and a must for nature lovers visiting Hawaii. It features more than 700 botanically labeled plants, from native Hawaiian species to exotic flowers and towering bamboo groves across 26 acres.
For those craving more than scenic overlooks, Jungle Zipline Maui near Haiku offers an adrenaline-charged detour just off the Hana Highway. While it is not the longest zipline in Maui, soaring 70 feet above the canopy with views of both the Pacific Ocean and Haleakala volcano is a worthwhile stop.
The Best Time to Road Trip Along The Hana Highway
Travelers frequently question the best time to road trip along the Road to Hana. While the road is accessible all year, the experience can shift with the seasons.
Winter months may see increased rainfall, leading to muddy trails and reduced visibility.
Summer, meanwhile, often draws larger crowds, making stops busier and traffic slower.
Fall strikes a balance for travelers hoping to avoid the densest tourist throngs while still enjoying being outdoors and in nature.
The Road to Hana proves that a journey doesn’t need thousands of miles to leave a lasting impression. Its 64-mile length embodies the idea that small can be mighty, or as a saying goes: ‘Good things come in small packages.’
Syndicated from The Roam Report.
Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.