Take A Drive Above The Clouds On This Incredible 38-Mile Highway In Hawaii
Just 27 square miles short of equaling the entire size of Oahu, Mount Haleakala is a gentle giant — a dormant volcano that has inspired those who make the journey to its summit for centuries. The mountain comprises 75 percent of Maui Island and is home to desert-like conditions, rainforests, and everything in between. While we love writing about Hawaii’s third tallest mountain peak — including their infamous sunrises — we’ve never talked about the incredible journey to reach the summit along Haleakala Highway.
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The drive to the summit of Mount Haleakala is exhilarating, to say the least. While the Haleakala Highway is certainly known for its incredible destination, the steep, winding road is deserving of its own time in the spotlight.
Measuring in at approximately 38 miles in length, the two-lane Haleakala Highway, often referred to as Crater Road, is easily one of the most incredible drives you can take in Hawaii. After all, there are very few places in Hawaii — and even the entire United States — where you can drive above the clouds.
Your journey will begin in the upcountry farming and flower-growing region of Kula at approximately 3,200 feet in elevation before climbing up the mountainside. At Mile Marker 10, you will be required to pay a $25 fee to enter Haleakala National Park and continue to the summit.
...as well as barren, red dirt landscapes that will make you feel as though you’ve been transported to an alien planet as you reach your final destination. In fact, it is said that you will encounter as many ecological zones along this 2-hour drive as you would on the journey from Mexico to Canada — how cool!
Don't forget to bring your camera! Awe-inspiring, panoramic views abound along this incredible highway, and it’s almost as though you are driving upwards towards the heavens.
Have you ever visited the summit of Mount Haleakala? Tell us, do you prefer driving or being a passenger as you make your way up the mountainside? I’ve done both, and I definitely prefer not driving so I can admire the views and snap some photographs.
To check out more of our favorite scenic drives across Hawaii, click here.
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
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