How long is the road to Haleakala?

Okay, buckle up for the Haleakala Highway, Maui's crazy climb! This road, also called Crater Road or Route 378, is paved the whole way. Starting near Kahului, it snakes 35 miles up to the summit of Haleakala at Red Hill, a staggering 10,023 feet above sea level.

Built back in the 30s, this road is no joke. Expect some seriously steep sections (up to 15% grade!), with an average gradient of 5.39%. You'll be tackling 32 hairpin turns, some with blind corners and major drop-offs. Keep your eyes peeled for cows and nene geese wandering across the road, and be prepared for fog that can roll in and cut visibility. Fill up your gas tank and grab snacks in Pukalani or Makawao, because that's your last chance. Speaking of bikes, commercial tours have been suspended within the park, so you'll have to drive yourself up.

Give yourself 1 to 1.5 hours to drive to the top without stopping. And trust me, you'll want to stop! The views are unreal, like you're driving on the moon. One thing to remember: it gets cold up there! For every 1,000 feet you climb, the temperature drops about 3 degrees F.

The changing landscape is incredible. You'll pass through so many different ecological zones, it’s like driving from Mexico to Canada without leaving Maui!