Auto Touring

There are two main driving routes for Haleakala National Park: the route to the volcano's summit and the coastal road leading to the Kipahulu District, also known as the Road to Hana. Visitors who intend to drive the summit road should leave plenty of time to ascend and descend, as the road is filled with switchbacks and traffic can be heavy. This is especially true if you want to see the sunrise from the summit, which is very popular and also involves driving the twisting summit road in the pre-dawn darkness. Typical driving time to the summit from Kahului is about 1.5 hours via Highway 37, to 377, to 378. Drivers can reach the coastal Kipahulu area via Route 36 to Route 360 to Route 31. The Hana Highway also features a number of switchbacks, as well as one-way bridges. Drivers should leave plenty of time for traffic and to stop along the way. Driving time from Kahului is approximately three hours. You can also drive to Kipahulu along the south coast via Route 31 east, although this is a rougher road.