Driving on Maui

We are going to Maui for 4 nights and being as we are Brits that drive on the other side of the road, we wondered what the roads were like to drive on? We are used to driving in Europe on the other side - but not keen on the large and complicated freeways or whatever they are. Help!!!

Can anyone give us the lowdown?

Driving on Maui

Hi

There are not that many roads. No overpasses and only a few 2 lane highways (2 lanes each way).

There is one bit of windy road between the airport and the West Maui Hotels.

There is a basic bus system but a car is pretty convenient.

Most drivers are pretty corteous, because so many other drivers are lost or hitting the breaks when they spot a whale.

Think you would do fine.

Where are you staying and will you be arriving at night?

Driving on Maui

JimGloria,

We are feeling much the same as the poster (we are from Australia)but wondered what you meant by asking ';are you driving at night';?

Its just that we are arriving just about sunset in a months time from Vancouver and I am little hesitant about driving from the airport to west Maui in the dark? What do you think?

Thanks

i think what the poster meant was that if you arent used to driving on the right (correct) side of the road and if you are driving on strange roads that driving at nite will simply add to the confusion of getting used to the first two items

there are no real carriageways on maui so dont worry about complicated turns and having to make split second decisions -- there are numerous signs that will let you know whats ahead on the road

Americans coming from the mainland cities are surprised at how *dark* some roads are on Maui. If you%26#39;re used to driving in less built-up areas that may not seem at all strange to you.

You%26#39;ll find %26#39;traffic%26#39; within Kahului and around Lahaina/Kaanapali in West Maui (four-lane plus turning lanes in many places). It%26#39;s four lanes along the valley from Kahului to Maalaea and Khihei and four lanes on Piilani Hwy. through Kihei to Wailea. All good, clearly marked roads.

The connector road from Maalaea to West Maui isn%26#39;t my favorite. It%26#39;s a two-lane road curving up through the West Maui Mountains (very mild grade). Just take your time. Be aware that there are a lot of other visitors unfamiliar with Maui -- sometimes the worse for wear of an evening! Once you%26#39;re through the mountains it%26#39;s flat all the way to Kaanapali.

Visitors drive all over Maui night and day year in and year out; don%26#39;t worry.

When we are in GB we use this strategy: The passenger reminds the driver to ';Stay Left!'; especially making 90-degree turns. We look out for one another as pedestrians when crossing a street, too, as nearest traffic is coming from the %26#39;wrong%26#39; direction.

When I drove in Maui I did the opposite to what ChiSue does when she drives in the UK, and I got my partner to shout %26#39;Right right!%26#39; when I turned the corner because you are most likely to go onto the wrong side then. Normally its pretty easy though because you just follow the person infront.

The main differences in driving are you will be driving an automatic which you most likely dont at home. Also, you can turn right on a right light if its ok to go - which is a very alien feeling. Its also easier parking because the parking spaces are huge and tend to be slanted. And no one seems to reverse in like they do here. So theres no need to worry about lining the car up so much.

I was pretty nervous but the roads in Maui are normally 1 lane with low speed limits compared to here, and the driving is no where near as aggressive. I would be scared to drive somewhere like Orlando with massive roads and 6 lane highways but in Maui the roads are fine. Its actually fairly enjoyable to drive - just check you keep your eyes on the road and not on the scenery!

ChiSue also made a good point about pedestrians. After almost 3 weeks in Maui I found when we came home, I kept looking the wrong way when crossing the roads here!

Keep in mind that although right turn on red is legal you MUST stop at the red light before turning.