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Haleakalā National Park is one of the national parks of Hawaii and is located on the island of Maui. Originally, it was part of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park but was later separated into its own park. Hawai'i Volcanoes protects Manua Loa and Kilauea over on Big Island. There are a couple of excellent drives in Haleakala National Park and the park is also home to plenty of hiking trails that explore Maui's wilderness.
Maui Island is full of lush forests and farms and scenic overlooks and is just made for a scenic drive. These scenic drives are just one of many reasons why people should visit Maui and Haleakala National Park.
What To Know About Hawaii's Haleakalā National Park
Haleakalā National Park is a great destination for sightseeing, hiking, solitude, adventure, camping, and exploring other-worldly landscapes. Haleakalā is a Hawaiian term for "house of the sun" - legend has it that the demigod Maui imprisoned the sun so that the days would be longer.
- Haleakalā Size: 52.0 sq mi; 134.6 km2
- Haleakalā Entrance Fee: $30 Per Vehicle
The last time the dormant Haleakalā Volcano erupted was around 500 years ago between 1480 and 1600 AD.
The park has two sections - the coastal Kipahulu area and the summit area. There are only two roads that venture inside the park. People who would like to explore Haleakala National Park by car can drive on the coastal road or take the highway to the summit. The roads make for scenic drives, although the best way to explore Haleakala National Park is by hiking the trails through it.
Take the time to get out of Honolulu and see Maui - home to some of Hawaii's most stunning natural scenery.
The Crater Drive Up To The Volcano Summit On The Haleakalā Highway
People can take a paved road to get up to the Haleakalā Crater and the summit of the volcano. It is well-maintained, although it is also extremely winding. The route is accessed by taking Routes 37 to 377 to Hawaii State Road 378. The main attraction along this road is the Haleakalā Crater at the top. The driving time to the summit is 2.5 hours from Kahului, 3 hours from Wailea, and 3.5 hours from Lahaina.
Driving Times To Summit
- Kahului: 2.5 Hours
- Wailea: 3 Hours
- Lahaina: 3.5 Hours
The Haleakala Crater is in fact not a crater; instead, it is an erosional valley. Within the erosional valley is a range of volcanic features (notably large cinder cones).
At the peak, visitors can find an observatory (without facilities), a visitor center, and some parking areas with restrooms. The visitor center is at an altitude of 9,740 feet (2,970 meters) and offers breathtaking views. Along the way, there are plenty of pullover places where people can stop, take pictures, and soak up the views.
Visitors should consider getting up early and driving up to the Visitor Center for one of the world's most picturesque sunrises. Those who would like to watch the sunrise need to plan in advance. Visitors are required to register with the National Park Service before going up for sunrise.
There are no gas stations (or charging stations) within the park, the largest gas station along this route is in the town of Pukalani. This route is not suitable for electric vehicles - even ones with a full charge.
Take The Kipahulu District Coastal Drive Through Lush Rain Forests
The second road that explores Haleakalā National Park is the coastal road. The coastal Kipahulu District is very different from the rest of the park and is reached by taking Route 36 to 360 and then to 31. The driving time from Kahului to the Kipahulu District is around 4 hours.
- Driving Time: From Kahului Approx. 4 Hours
The coastal routes 36, 360, and 31 are known as The Hana Highway (Route 36 & 360) and the Pi'ilani Highway (Route 31).
The Hana Highway (which visitors can take a guided tour of) is 64 miles long and takes quite a long time to drive. Even though the section from Hana to Kipahulu is only 52 miles long, it takes around 2.5 hours to drive non-stop. The road is very narrow and windy and passes over 59 (mostly one-lane) bridges. The road passes through lush tropical rainforests. The Hana Highway is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hana Highway is also a favorite tourist attraction in Maui (stop to find the waterfalls along the way).
On the other side of the Kipahulu District is Route 31 aka the Pi'ilani Highway. Parts of this route are dirt tracks, and it is sometimes closed due to landslides (so check the conditions first). It is 38 miles long. The last gas station heading to the Kipahulu Area is on the Hana Highway in Pa'ia before Hana.