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Haleakala Highway (Crater Road)
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Haleakala Highway (Crater Road)

See all things to do
See all things to do
Haleakala Highway (Crater Road)
4.5

Top ways to experience Haleakala Highway (Crater Road) and nearby attractions

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
290 reviews
Excellent
201
Very good
76
Average
11
Poor
0
Terrible
2
beth ann k
Halstead, KS1,792 contributions
A little scary in rain and fog
Feb 2023
We went up in the afternoon and it was a nice drive, with wonderful views. We came down after dark and it was foggy and raining. That was not so much fun.
Written 2 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FactotumDellaCitta
London, UK3,837 contributions
Scenic road
Sep 2022
This is an excellent road (one lane each way) that goes all the way up to the peak of Haleakala. There are great views along the road and places to park and hike.
Written 30 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zs812
4 contributions
Amazing Views
Dec 2022
This drive is much better than Hana Highway... Very safe and easy drive on your way up. On your way down, use lower gear and go easy on brakes. If needed, take a break for few mins so your car/ brakes cool down, but this is just out of caution. Amazing drive, you won't regret this one!
Written 27 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GRZ
Chicago, IL10,071 contributions
Great Drive for Sunset
Nov 2022
There are 3 major drives/road trip ideas in Maui -

1. Road to Hana = easy, even with full cicle (see my separate review under Road to Hana)
2. North Loop = moderate and scenic, yet super difficult and dangerous in one area (see my separate review under North Loop Coastline Road Hwy 30)

3. Haleakala Highway - moderate, nicely marked, but tiring and requiring attention at all times!

Chances are everyone takes #1... and that you will take #3 either for the sunrise or sunset... or just during the day to explore the Haleakala National Park. We took the road for the sunset so we drive up to the summit in the day light and then return down in the pretty much pitch black as we stayed as long as we could (was super cold!) - it's a great scenic route, but at times people drive a bit too fast and there are curves non stop so needless to say we had once or even twice someone almost end up on our lane coming from the opposite directions... it's a looooooong ascend/descent and people get inpatient...

Take your time, you will do it only once, be safe and make others safe! There are no light posts at night but the lights from the cars in front and behind you help a lot to mark the outline of the road ahead of you

At first through quite a lot of the ascend you go through residential areas, very surprising to me as I thought it would be a big desert/mountain of old lava :) and then you go higher and higher and higher - you definitely do feel the altitude but so many people do it, it's not that type of a big deal issue - I felt weird in Big Island going to the Visitor Center at Mauna Kea but here I think the open views help to get used to in your head better :)

There are restrooms at the visitor centers (there are centers, one at the entrance, and 2nd at the "top").

TIP: no AWD/4WD requires, it's a perfectly paved road - of the 3 road trips this one is the absolute best road quality -
Written 13 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jim
Seattle, WA36 contributions
Breathtaking
Apr 2022 • Couples
It was well worth it to wake up early and drive up before sunrise. Only a few parking spots so get there early. Breathtaking as the sun rises. Truly at the top of the island. Make sure you use you phone to locate the west so you will be positioned right for the sunrise.
Written 2 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
Bellflower, CA25,097 contributions
Mount Haleakala highway is 34.9 miles long twisting two-lane paved road.
May 2022
Running east-west from Kahului to Pu'u'ula'ula (Red Hill), it ascends the tallest peak of Haleakalā mountains, to an elevation of 10,023ft above sea level. It holds the world record for climbing to the highest elevation in the shortest distance of 35 miles. Construction of the well-maintained two-lane paved road started in 1933 and took two years to complete, it contains many blind turns, very steep drop-offs without guardrails, and 32 switchbacks, it was opened to the public in 1935.
Sometimes animals including cows and geese cross the highway, watch out for them when the conditions are foggy. Even though The National Park Service has suspended commercial bicycle tours within the park after many fatal bike accidents, they are still a danger on the lower slopes of the highway, especially on blind corners when the cyclists tend to swing wide.
To drive the road without stopping to admire the "moon like" scenery will take between 1 and 1.5 hours. Do not try and visit the Park for sunrise without an appointment, as they have only 75 parking places. (have to book one-two month in advance)

TIP: The last place for food or petrol is in Makawao.
I would appreciate a thumbs up below if you found this review informative.
Thank you.
Written 22 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Teacher20052013
DeLand, FL577 contributions
Not for the faint of heart!!!
Jul 2022
We traveled the highway up into the heavens and had a wonderful view of sunset over the island. We could not see land below but it was soooo worth the trip to see the mountain!!!
Written 1 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marriott946
London, UK668 contributions
A Cut Above The Average
May 2022 • Friends
Well when in Maui it would seem a shame to miss the million year old volcano crater.

Quite a switchback journey through the clouds to the top. Our driver was Maui with a fabulous name meaning the Prince, we called him Henri.

Brilliant explanations and history as we drove, stopped in places for photo opportunities and at top no cloud cover meaning perfect views of the crater. Apparently sunrise views are spectacular.

This was a great experience thank you Henri.
Written 18 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carl f
ashland, mo.44 contributions
So much to offer
Jan 2022
The switchback road travels maybe 5 miles as the owl flies. Your car will travel about 20. But nearly every twist or turn offers a new wonderful view, and as you climb from sea level to just over 10,000 feet the vegetation changes and changes. It is a unique experience. Then at that high, windy and distinctly cool (temp and otherwise) summit, you are looking down on the cloud tops, with the ocean and neighboring islands below, and the chance to look into the remnant crater of the volcano that began on the floor of the Pacific Ocean and pushed its way to become one of the great mountains on earth and is now slowly sinking and eroding its way back down. It is a combination of so many contrasts and beautiful vistas.
Written 2 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ken L
35 contributions
Check the weather forecast
Dec 2021 • Family
The drive to the top is worth the price of admission which is $30 at the ranger station 7 miles from the summit I would recommend highly the drive during any kind of weather however if you want to see anything be sure to check the weather forecast in advance as it was cloudy the day we went.
Written 26 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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HALEAKALA HIGHWAY (CRATER ROAD): All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Haleakala Highway (Crater Road)
According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Haleakala Highway (Crater Road):