Best place to stay near Road to Hana

Question

Hi, my family will be vacationing in Maui in June. We’d like to be near the road to Hana but also close to beaches and restaurants and in the sunnier, dryer part of the island. Would the Kihei area be best? Wailea is a bit further south but I suppose that also could work if we took the road to Hana backwards?

Answer

If your goal is to be near the start of the Road to Hana while also enjoying beaches, restaurants, and sunnier, drier weather, the best base largely depends on how much driving you’re comfortable with and what type of accommodations you prefer.

Kihei: Kihei is on the southwest coast of Maui, in the sunnier, drier region of the island. It offers plenty of vacation rentals, hotels, and condos with easy access to beaches, casual and fine dining, and shopping. Kihei is about a 1–1.5 hour drive to Paia, which is the gateway town for the Hana Highway. Staying here allows you to enjoy a dry, sunny climate and more developed amenities, but it means an early start for a full-day Hana trip.

Wailea: Wailea is slightly further south than Kihei and is known for luxury resorts, beautiful beaches, and excellent dining options. It’s around 1.5 hours to the start of the Hana Highway in Paia. Wailea offers a more resort-style experience and quieter atmosphere compared to Kihei, but driving to Hana is a bit longer. Many visitors still make the Hana trip from Wailea and find it very manageable, especially if starting early in the morning.

Other Considerations:

Paia / Haiku: These towns are right at the beginning of the Hana Highway. Staying here minimizes drive time to Hana, allowing you to enjoy more stops along the way. However, these areas are wetter and more exposed to trade winds, and there are fewer beach options and dining choices compared to Kihei/Wailea.
Makawao / Upcountry Maui: Offers a more rural experience and easy access to the north side of the Hana road. Good for a quiet stay, but beaches are not nearby.

Summary Recommendations:

If you prefer sun, beaches, dining, and don’t mind a 1–1.5 hour drive to Hana, Kihei is an excellent choice. It’s versatile for both beach days and the Hana trip.
If you want a more luxurious resort stay and are okay with slightly longer drives to Hana, Wailea is very appealing, with beautiful beaches and top-notch amenities.
If your main goal is Hana itself and you want to minimize driving, consider Paia or Haiku, but be aware of wetter conditions and fewer beaches/restaurants.

Many families choose Kihei or Wailea as their base because they balance sunny weather, beach access, and amenities while still being within reasonable driving distance of the Road to Hana. Planning a full-day Hana trip from these areas is common and very doable, especially with an early start.