Drive to the Summit of Haleakala National Park
Written by Vacation Idea.com Travel Editors.
How Long is the Drive?
The drive up Haleakala takes about 2.5 hours one way from popular resort areas, such as Kapalua, Napili, Ka'anapali, Kihei and Wailea. The summit is one and a half hours from Kahului airport.
The road is very well maintained all the way to the top. It becomes curvy near Kula and stays that way until you reach the peak of the mountain.
What You'll See on the Way
Once you head upcountry, you'll notice the slopes of Haleakala become quite lush. There are many forests, beautiful plants and several botanical gardens open to the public. One of the most popular spots for lunch is the Kula Lodge Restaurant (808-878-1535) which has a beautiful view. Be sure to book ahead of time because tour buses stop here.
Entrance Fees
Admission to Haleakala National Park is $10 per car and is valid for 7 days. You can stop at the park headquarters a few minutes after the entrance station to get more information about the park. There is a second visitors center located near the summit. The drive from the park headquarters to the visitors center takes about 30 minutes.
Once you pay your fee and enter Haleakala National Park, there are no gas stations or food along the way. Therefore, make sure you have enough gas and food to get to 10,000 feet and back.
Read more about visiting Haleakala National Park on Maui.
