Big Island Hawaii scenic driving and transportation

Getting Around & Logistics

Navigating the Island - Transportation Made Simple

Written by a Local Expert

The sheer size of the Big Island presents its biggest logistical challenge. Planning your transportation is just as important as planning your activities.

Do I absolutely need a rental car? And do I need a 4x4 or Jeep?

🚗 The Bottom Line

Let me be direct: yes, you absolutely need a rental car. This isn't Oʻahu where you can get by in Waikiki without one. The island is massive, public transportation is limited for visitors, and the best sights are spread far and wide.

Now, about that shiny Jeep you're eyeing... you probably don't need it. We locals get a little chuckle seeing tourists in them, because unless you have one very specific goal, a regular car is all you need. Here's the breakdown:

✅ Regular Car is Fine

A regular car is sufficient for 99% of travel. All major highways, including the Saddle Road that cuts across the island and all the main roads within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, are paved and well-maintained.

⛰️ The Mauna Kea Exception

The only common tourist destination that requires a 4-wheel drive vehicle is the road to the summit of Mauna Kea, past the Visitor Information Station at 9,200 feet. The steep, unpaved road to the 13,803-foot summit is treacherous, and rangers will not let you pass without a true 4x4 with low-range gearing.

🤔 "Nice-to-Have" Situations

Some remote and beautiful spots, like Kekaha Kai State Beach (home to Makalawena Beach) and the trail to Papakōlea Green Sand Beach, are accessed by very rough, unpaved roads. While some people attempt these in regular cars, a vehicle with higher clearance like an SUV or Jeep makes the journey much more comfortable and less risky.

⚠️ Critical Rental Agreement Warning

This is the most important insider tip I can give you. Virtually all rental car contracts on the island—even for 4x4 Jeeps—explicitly forbid driving on unpaved roads. This includes the road to the Mauna Kea summit. If you get stuck, have an accident, or damage the vehicle off-pavement, you have violated your contract. All of your insurance (personal, credit card, and rental company's) becomes void, and you could be personally liable for the entire cost of the vehicle. Many visitors take this risk, but you must be aware of the significant financial consequences if something goes wrong.

Which airport is better: Kona (KOA) or Hilo (ITO)? And should I fly into one and out of the other?

This is a great question, and thinking about it can save you a ton of driving time. My pro move, especially for anyone staying a week or longer, is to book an "open-jaw" ticket—fly into one airport and out of the other.

✈️ Kona International (KOA)

• Located on the sunny west side
• Island's primary airport - larger
• More direct flights from U.S. mainland
• More amenities
• Unique open-air design with thatched roofs
• Best if staying in Kona, Waikoloa, or Kohala Coast

✈️ Hilo International (ITO)

• Located on the lush east side
• Much smaller and quieter
• Primarily serves inter-island flights
• Most convenient for Hilo, Puna district
• Gateway to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
• Less crowded, faster processing

🎯 The "Open-Jaw" Strategy

I highly recommend this for trips of 7 days or more. It allows you to explore the island linearly without having to backtrack. For example, you could fly into Kona, spend 4 days exploring the west side, drive across the island to Hilo, spend 3 days exploring the east side and the volcano, and then fly home from Hilo. This saves you the 2-3 hour drive back across the island on your departure day. Most major car rental companies allow you to pick up at one airport and drop off at the other, often with no extra fee, but you must arrange this when you book.

How long does it take to drive around the island?

⚠️ Don't Trust Google Maps Blindly!

It might give you the fastest time, but it doesn't account for our winding roads, the incredible scenic pull-offs you will want to stop for, or the sudden craving for fresh malasadas. To drive the full circle around the island without any significant stops would take about 6 to 8 hours—it is not a day trip.

Realistic Driving Times Between Key Locations:

Kona to Hilo (Central - Saddle Road)

1.5 - 2 hours. The fastest route. A dramatic drive through high-elevation lava fields between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Remote, with no gas or food services.

Kona to Hilo (Northern - Hāmākua Coast)

2.5 - 3 hours. The "scenic route." Passes through the ranch town of Waimea, lush valleys, and stunning coastal cliffs and waterfalls. More towns and stops along the way.

Kona to Hilo (Southern - Kaʻū)

3 - 3.5 hours. The longest route. Passes through Kona coffee country, South Point (southernmost point in the U.S.), and Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach.