A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Roanoke vs. Maui for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Roanoke or Maui?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Roanoke or Maui? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Roanoke

Roanoke is a laid back, scenic, and outdoorsy town. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Roanoke travel costs.

Maui

Maui is a stunning, idyllic, and adventure-filled island. Many visitors also come to Maui because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Maui travel costs.

Roanoke and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Roanoke or Maui?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Maui. Although Roanoke and Maui are both popular with visitors, Maui has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Maui is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Roanoke is known for its museums and attractions and nightlife. Maui is more touristy than Roanoke and is popular for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also home to Haleakala National Park. Roanoke is popular for its welcoming hospitality and convenient access to the Blue Ridge Mountains.

How is Roanoke different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Maui and Roanoke. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Roanoke or Maui?

Roanoke is a popular place for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Roanoke offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several museums and sights around town such as the Living-Coral Reef Aquarium, the Science Museum of Western Virginia, and the Taubman Museum of Art. There's also the Harrison Museum of African American Culture and even the Roanoke Pinball Museum.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

Is the Food Better in Roanoke or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at decent restaurants in both Roanoke and Maui.

Roanoke may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. There are burger joints, pizza restaurants, and plenty of other casual eateries where you can grab a quick meal.

Maui offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Roanoke or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Roanoke is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Roanoke has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There are local venues in the area that have drinks and often live music. You'll find jazz, country, rock, and bluegrass, particularly along Crooked Road in Franklin County.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Roanoke or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Maui is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

Roanoke is not a resort destination.

Is Roanoke or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is a great island for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Roanoke is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Roanoke is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Roanoke or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is renowned for the beach. However, Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Maui. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Roanoke is not a beach destination.

Is Roanoke or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is renowned for hiking. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for the nearby hiking options.

People visit Maui specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

Roanoke is a popular spot for hiking. The surrounding countryside is filled with mountain hikes. The Blue Ridge Mountains are crossed by trails that take you to waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and through serene forest. McAfee Knob, Sharp Top Mountain, and Roaring Run Trail some of the best hikes in the area.

Is the Shopping Better in Roanoke or Maui?

If you're looking to go shopping, Roanoke and Maui both offer plenty of good spots.

Roanoke has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Market Street in Downtown Roanoke is lined with local vendors, particularly at the Historic Roanoke City Market. The town also has a mall and several shopping centers.

Maui is a great destination for shopping. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is Roanoke or Maui More Beautiful?

Maui is renowned for its scenery and beauty. However, Roanoke is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Maui because of it's amazing beauty. With its dramatic mountains and beautiful blue water, this island offers stunning beauty.

Roanoke is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Roanoke or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is renowned for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Maui is a very family-friendly destination. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

Roanoke is a family-friendly place to visit. The Blue Ridge Parkway is filled with kid-friendly hiking trails and fun outdoor activities. You can visit the Blue Ridge Institute & Farm Museum or Smith Mountain Lake Farm. There's also Virginia Children's Theater.

Is Roanoke or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is renowned for couples. Also, Roanoke is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Maui makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

Roanoke is a very popular place to visit for couples. Staying at a quaint bed and breakfast, tucked into the beautiful mountain setting is the perfect romantic getaway. Nearby there are vineyards and wine cellars, as well as gardens, hikes, and other outdoor activities.

Is Roanoke or Maui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Roanoke is a popular place for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Roanoke. There are several campgrounds in the area as well as great hiking trails.

Maui is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Like most of the Hawaiian Islands, everything is expensive here and even though there are a couple of hostels, you can still expect to pay high prices for them. Public transportation is also limited so you'll really need to rent a car if you hope to explore the island in depth.

Is Roanoke or Maui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Roanoke and Maui both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Roanoke. There are buses as well as a free trolley service through the downtown, but you really do need a car to get most places.

Public transit is generally limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is Roanoke or Maui a more walkable city?

Roanoke is a town with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Roanoke is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, with sidewalks and more dense development styles.

Maui is not a very walkable town. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

For even more information, also check out Is Roanoke Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Roanoke?

How long in Roanoke or Maui?

Both Roanoke and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in Roanoke. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Roanoke, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

Families should spend more time in Maui than Roanoke. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Maui, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Maui than Roanoke. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Maui that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Roanoke than Maui if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Roanoke.

One day in Roanoke or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Roanoke. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Maui, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Roanoke or Maui?

Roanoke is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Maui, you'll find shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Roanoke or Maui?

You'll find shopping and museums around the scenic destination of Roanoke. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Maui is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Maui has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Roanoke or Maui?

The outdoorsy town of Roanoke offers museums and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Maui. In Maui, you'll find shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roanoke and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Roanoke much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Roanoke would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roanoke and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui than you might in Roanoke.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Roanoke Expensive? and Is Maui Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Roanoke or Maui?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Roanoke or Maui in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Roanoke as well as Maui. The summer months attract visitors to Roanoke because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Maui this time of year.

In July, Roanoke is generally around the same temperature as Maui. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 79°F (26°C), and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Roanoke this time of the year. In the summer, Roanoke often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Roanoke gets 273 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun.

Roanoke receives a lot of rain in the summer. Roanoke usually gets more rain in July than Maui. Roanoke gets 4.2 inches (106 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Maui in the Autumn?

Both Maui and Roanoke are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Roanoke this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Roanoke is much colder than Maui in the autumn. The daily temperature in Roanoke averages around 60°F (16°C) in October, and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Roanoke. Roanoke usually receives less sunshine than Maui during autumn. Roanoke gets 210 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Maui. Roanoke gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Roanoke or Maui in the Winter?

Both Maui and Roanoke during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Roanoke for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Maui in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Roanoke. In the winter, Roanoke is much colder than Maui. Typically, the winter temperatures in Roanoke in January average around 38°F (3°C), and Maui averages at about 72°F (22°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Roanoke often gets less sunshine than Maui. Roanoke gets 165 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun.

Maui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Roanoke usually gets less rain in January than Maui. Roanoke gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Roanoke or Maui in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Roanoke and Maui. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Roanoke is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Roanoke average around 59°F (15°C), and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Roanoke, it's very sunny this time of the year. Roanoke usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during spring. Roanoke gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Roanoke usually receives more rain than Maui. Roanoke gets 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Maui and Roanoke