how long does it take to drive around the whole big island of hawaii

How long does it take to drive around Hawaii?

To drive around Hawaii based on my itinerary, it’ll take about eight hours. However, that’s without making many stops, and you’ll want to spend time at these places. To adequately see everything on this list and have enough time for meals, I would allow about 12 hours to drive around the Big Island.

How many days to drive the Big Island?

Drive around the Big Island of Hawaii. BI is about half the size of New Jersey. Your 1 day at best would be over the top stopping only at Akaka Falls, Some stops on Crater Rim Drive in VNP Then Punalu'u Beach. Keep going if you must around the South but it may be Dark at some point anyway.

How long does it take to drive from Hilo to Kona?

It takes about 2 hours to drive the 90 something miles between Hilo and Kailua-Kona along the Hilo-Hamakua Coast Route 19, while the Kau-South Kona route 11 takes about 3 hours. The recently improved Saddle Road (Route 200) across the middle of the Big Island can save up to 20 minutes time compared to the north coastal route.

What is the Big Island of Hawaii like?

Talk to many travelers who have been to the islands of Hawaii, and a majority of them will have spent most of their time soaking up the sun on the beaches of Maui or Oahu. While those are both beautiful islands, you’ll want to plan a drive around the Big Island of Hawaii. The island is so massive you could fit several other Hawaiian islands in it.

How long does it take to drive from Kona to Hilo?

What are the big islands in Hawaii?

Which side of Hawaii has the lowest cost of living?

How long has the volcano been erupting?

Is there running water on the island?

About this website

Can you drive the whole Big Island of Hawaii?

How long does it take to drive around Kona island?

How long does it take to explore Big Island Hawaii?

How many days do you need in Big Island?

Which Hawaiian island is the prettiest?

How can I spend 5 days in Hawaii?

What is the best time of year to visit the Big Island of Hawaii?

Is the Big Island crowded?

Is 5 nights in Hawaii enough?

Is it better to stay in Kona or Hilo?

What can you not miss on the Big Island Hawaii?

Does the Big Island have good beaches?

How long does it take to drive around Hawaii?

To drive around Hawaii based on my itinerary, it’ll take about eight hours. However, that’s without making many stops, and you’ll want to spend time at these places. To adequately see everything on this list and have enough time for meals, I would allow about 12 hours to drive around the Big Island.

How long is the hike to the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park?

You’ll probably be tired from your six-mile hike, so enjoy the rest you’ll get on the drive to the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. You continue up the main highway going north on the east side of the island, and the signs for the park are pretty obvious.

How long is the drive from Hilo to Kona?

Just a note – the drive time from Hilo to Kona is two hours. If you’re getting tired at this point, it’s probably best to end your Hawaii road trip and take Saddle Road back. The road cuts through the island, so you don’t have to go all the way up and around. This ends up saving you a ton of time.

How many stops are there on the Big Island?

Here’s a quick itinerary of where to stop on the Big Island and how long it will take to drive to each point. This itinerary for one day in Hawaii has eight stops, and you can adjust them as needed by skipping some if you’re short on time.

What to do in Kona?

There are so many amazing things to do in Kona that you could spend several days here. Stop at one of the cafes here for breakfast in the morning, and take a casual stroll as the sleepy shops start to open up for the day.

Where to stay on Big Island?

Where to Stay on the Big Island 1 King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel – For a mid-range hotel on the water, stay at this hotel. It’s right in town so you can walk to plenty of stores and restaurants during your stay. (rates start at $230 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com) 2 Hilton Waikoloa Village – This is a little north of Kona, but you’ll love how much privacy you have here. It’s a hotel you stay in when you want to treat yourself. They have fantastic views, restaurants, and even a little boat to take you around the canal that goes through the property. (rates start at $225 per night; book your room on Booking.com or Hotels.com)

Where to see Maui sunset?

For your last stop of seeing the Big Island in a day, visit the northern part of the island, Hawi. This small town is a great place to watch the sunset go down. If you look hard enough, you can almost see Maui. There are several small shops, restaurants, and even a post office here.

How long does it take to drive from Kona to Hilo?

Hawaii Island, aka The Big Island takes about two hours to drive from Kona on the west side to Hilo on the east, over the saddle road. If you take the coastal road it takes about 2 1/2 hours. It takes about four hours to drive around the perimeter of the island. 638 views. ·.

What are the big islands in Hawaii?

The big island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Lanai, or Kauai. If you plan on living in Hawaii, prepare yourself for the cost, the traffic, and the politics. Those things drove me away, born and raised, after 43 years. That said, it really depends on what you want.

Which side of Hawaii has the lowest cost of living?

The Big Island, Hilo side, has the lowest cost of living for the average person. WAY lower than the Kona side of Oahu. (This is being written January 2018)-As an example, there is a modern ranch style home near where I live that is 10 years old, in an upscale and very safe neighborhood.

How long has the volcano been erupting?

Since the volcano has been erupting continuously for the past 36 years, you may have to wait a while, so make sure you bring a bunch of bentos and pack a cooler with your favorite beverages. Also, Hawaii is in a different time zone, so time moves more slowly in the Islands. John Borovka.

Is there running water on the island?

On infrastructure - there is in fact running water every where. Not all of it is city water, but city water is available over much of the island. In parts of the island catchment is the norm. People install filtration systems and have access to as much water as they can store. Other parts of the island have wells.

What is the most important thing to remember about driving on Hawaii Island?

The most important thing to remember about driving on Hawaii Island is to drive with "aloha.". The local residents are typically courteous to visitors, as long as they show respect to the island by staying off private roads, observing local laws, and refraining from reckless driving. Speeding: Hawaii’s speeding laws are no joke.

How long is the saddle road in Hawaii?

The road reaches a maximum elevation of 6,765 feet and stretches for 54 miles.

What makes Hawaii so special?

What makes this island extra special, however, is the fact that it is continuously growing. With every volcanic eruption and lava flow, the island is putting on more and more surface area. Following the historic 2018 eruptions that destroyed 700 homes and buried 14 square miles of already existing land on Hawaii Island, ...

How much is the speeding fine in Hawaii?

Speeding: Hawaii’s speeding laws are no joke. A first-time speeding violator can face fines of up to $200 and license suspension. For reckless driving, a first offense can mean up to 30 days in jail and a maximum of $1,000 in fines. Gasoline: Due to the cost of shipping gasoline to the Big Island, gas prices (along with the price of groceries) ...

What is the most dangerous road in Hawaii?

Along the way, you’ll find crossroads that will take you to Mau na Kea and Mauna Loa, as well as black lava fields, moon-like landscapes, and rolling hills. Due to the unpredictable weather changes and rough terrain, this road was once considered the most dangerous road in the state.

How big is Hawaii Island?

The Big Island makes up for more than half of the entire size of the state of Hawaii at just over 4,000 square miles —about half the size of New Jersey.

How tall do you have to be to ride in a booster seat in Hawaii?

According to Hawaii's Child Passenger Restraint Law, children less than four-years-old must ride in a child safety seat, and children from four to eight must ride in a child passenger restraint or booster seat if they are less than 4 feet, 9 inches tall and weigh under 40 pounds.

How long does it take to drive around the Big Island?

To circle the entire Big Island takes almost 6 hours, if you include a loop through North Kohala. When driving between Hilo and Kailua (Kona), you might consider taking the north coast route one ...

How long does it take to drive from Hawaii to Hawaii?

Big Island Hawaii Hilo Kona Drive Times. How long does it take to drive between Hilo and Kailua (Kona) on the Big Island of Hawaii? It takes about 2 hours to drive the 90 something miles between Hilo and Kailua-Kona along the Hilo-Hamakua Coast Route 19, while the Kau-South Kona route 11 takes about 3 hours.

What is the Big Island?

Big Island FAQ. Hilo-Hamakua Coast - This scenic coastal area extends about 50 miles between the historic towns of Hilo and Honokaa. Puna is a rural district in East Hawaii, with Ohia forested land, farms, volcanic lava flow, and a rocky but scenic pacific ocean coast. Saddle Road and Mauna Kea, Hilo Hawaii.

Where is the county seat of Hawaii?

Then Press "Buy Now" To Order Your Maps! Hilo - the County Seat for Hawaii County is located on the east side of the Big Island and has a population of about 55,000. Big Island FAQ. Hilo-Hamakua Coast - This scenic coastal area extends about 50 miles between the historic towns of Hilo and Honokaa.

How long does it take to drive from Kona to Hilo?

Hawaii Island, aka The Big Island takes about two hours to drive from Kona on the west side to Hilo on the east, over the saddle road. If you take the coastal road it takes about 2 1/2 hours. It takes about four hours to drive around the perimeter of the island. 638 views. ·.

What are the big islands in Hawaii?

The big island, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Lanai, or Kauai. If you plan on living in Hawaii, prepare yourself for the cost, the traffic, and the politics. Those things drove me away, born and raised, after 43 years. That said, it really depends on what you want.

Which side of Hawaii has the lowest cost of living?

The Big Island, Hilo side, has the lowest cost of living for the average person. WAY lower than the Kona side of Oahu. (This is being written January 2018)-As an example, there is a modern ranch style home near where I live that is 10 years old, in an upscale and very safe neighborhood.

How long has the volcano been erupting?

Since the volcano has been erupting continuously for the past 36 years, you may have to wait a while, so make sure you bring a bunch of bentos and pack a cooler with your favorite beverages. Also, Hawaii is in a different time zone, so time moves more slowly in the Islands. John Borovka.

Is there running water on the island?

On infrastructure - there is in fact running water every where. Not all of it is city water, but city water is available over much of the island. In parts of the island catchment is the norm. People install filtration systems and have access to as much water as they can store. Other parts of the island have wells.