Do you need 4 wheel drive to visit Volcano National Park?

Do you need 4 wheel drive to visit Volcano National Park? Visiting the park by car is easy to do. The two main roads visitors will travel are Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road. All roads in the park are two-wheel drive roadways and do not require four-wheel drive vehicles.

What kind of car do you need in Volcano National Park?

A 4WD vehicle is a must for this Big Island adventure! 4WD is the only way you'll be able to access all the best “off the grid” spots. Besides taking a day for Hawaii Volcanoes National park or a few in Kona/Kohala, here are some of our other favorite places to go, with Volcano Village as your home base…

Do you need 4WD for Mauna Kea Visitor Center?

The drive to the summit of Mauna Kea is very dangerous and must only be undertaken by experienced drivers. Four-wheel drive vehicles are required above the Visitor Information Station located at the 9,000 ft. level. Individuals with certain health conditions should not travel to high altitude.

Do I need 4 wheel drive in Kauai?

Do I need a 4wd vehicle anywhere on Kauai? No - any rental car type will get you where you need to go, as long as you stay on the paved roads. There are some road restrictions on Kauai where rental cars are not allowed, and you would need to check at the counter when you pick up your vehicle.

Is Volcano Park worth it?

But even without an active volcanic eruption, this is still a great park to visit. If you are planning to visit Hawaii, it's still worth visiting Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, even without an active lava flow.

Is driving in Hawaii difficult?

Even the paved roads aren't in the best condition, so be prepared for some rough driving. The traffic in Hawaii can also be surprisingly heavy, especially on O'ahu. In fact, the traffic conditions in Honolulu rank among the worst in the nation, competing with famously gridlocked cities like Los Angeles and New York.

How long is drive from Kona to volcano?

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is located on the island of Hawai'i. From Kailua-Kona: 95 miles southeast on Highway 11 (2 to 2.5 hour drive), or 125 miles through Waimea and Hilo via highways 19 and 11 (2.5 to 3 hours).

Is volcano National Park worth it?

Absolutely, visiting Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is worth it, especially if you're interested in geology, natural landscapes, and the unique opportunity to witness volcanic activity.

How much time do I need at Volcano National Park?

If you want to visit lava up close and personal, then you should allow at least TWO full days for visiting Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

How many days in Big Island is enough?

To discover Big Island as a whole, we recommend staying ideally 8 to 10 days so that you have time to explore it at your own pace, as the island is quite large.

Do you need a special car to drive the Road to Hana?

Rent something reliable that gets decent gas mileage. We sometimes see massive SUV's driving the road to Hana, which is weird to us. Unless you have a really big family, choose a mid-sized car.

Can you drive to the Mauna Kea Visitor Center in a rental car?

You are welcome to drive your vehicle on the Mauna Kea Summit Rd. to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station. Driving is not allowed in the restricted area beyond the visitor center. Albeit, there are a handful of hikes you can take from the parking area.

Is it worth it to rent a Jeep in Hawaii?

Pros of Renting a Jeep in Hawaii Feel the wind in your hair as your cruise alongside the beaches. If you do a little off-roading, your vehicle can handle it. You won't have to use air-conditioning as the wind will handle that for you.

Which Hawaiian island is easiest to drive?

If you do decide to rent a car, Shaka Guide's driving tours will make sure you don't miss any of the important attractions. Oahu is the easiest island to get around. There are several car rental companies at the Honolulu Airport if you'd like to drive the island.

How long does it take to drive around Volcano national park?

This 38-mile (61 km) round-trip drive descends 3,700 feet (1,128 m) to the coast and ends where lava has covered 10 miles of road since 1986. Allow 90 minutes to two hours round-trip, depending on how often you stop and how far you hike. Note: There are no services (water, gasoline, or food) on Chain of Craters road.

Is driving in Big Island difficult?

However, driving in Hawaii does come with its own set of challenges that you should be prepared for, including poor road conditions. While the more populated islands like O'ahu or the Big Island have decent roads, the more rural isles like Kaua'i have roads that are often unpaved and difficult to drive on.