Hana Dr versus St. John

Question

I have been to USVI St. John and traveled the entire island with a car rental. It was about as hairy as I like my driving to get but I handled it fine. Wondering how the road to Hana compares to the average roads on St. John? Similar? Scarier?

Answer

The Road to Hana on Maui is often compared to the roads on St. John in the USVI in terms of winding, narrow passages, but there are some key differences that might influence your comfort level and driving experience.

Overall, the Road to Hana is longer, more populated with tourists, and has significantly more curves and one-lane bridges. While St. John has some narrow and steep roads, Hana is famous for its extremely tight switchbacks, over 600 curves, and more than 50 one-lane bridges. The scenery is beautiful but can be distracting, so caution is essential.

Here’s a more detailed comparison:

Road Width and Curves: Hana is generally narrower in spots than most roads on St. John, with frequent sharp curves and hairpin turns. St. John roads are narrow in places but usually have fewer consecutive tight switchbacks.
Traffic: Hana sees a lot of rental cars, tour vans, and local traffic, which can make passing tricky on one-lane bridges. St. John has less dense traffic overall.
Bridges: The Road to Hana has numerous one-lane bridges requiring careful negotiation with oncoming traffic. St. John has fewer one-lane bridges, and they tend to be shorter.
Scenery and Distractions: Both routes offer stunning views, but the Road to Hana features dense rainforest, waterfalls, and coastal cliffs, which can tempt drivers to stop suddenly or drive slower, requiring more vigilance.
Road Condition: Hana is mostly paved and maintained, but some sections can be rough or narrow. St. John roads can be paved or gravel, depending on the area, with some potholes.

Tips if you’re planning to drive Hana and have experience on St. John:

Drive slowly and cautiously, especially around blind curves and one-lane bridges.
Start early in the day to avoid heavier tourist traffic and give yourself plenty of daylight.
Consider the type of vehicle you rent; smaller cars handle curves and narrow bridges better than large SUVs or vans.
Take breaks at safe pullouts to enjoy the scenery instead of stopping mid-road.

In summary, if you were comfortable driving around St. John, you can likely handle the Road to Hana, but it is generally considered “hairier” due to more curves, more one-lane bridges, and the length of the drive. Patience and caution are key to enjoying the experience safely.

Hana Dr versus St. John

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