How many hours does it take to drive around the Big Island?


How many hours 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 scenic coast route in one direction and the Saddle Road route between the mountains coming back!


Do you need more time in Hilo or Kona?

Generally speaking, most tourists who are visiting Hawaii for a tropical paradise vacation experience will want to spend a little more time on the Kona side than the Hilo side.


Should I stay on both sides of the Big Island?

We suggest splitting your stay between Kailua-Kona on the west side and Hilo (or Volcano) on the east side during your trip. This will ease a lot of extra driving and allow you to experience both sides of the island.


Can I sleep in my car on the Big Island?

Bad idea, sleeping in your car is illegal on all public property in Hawaii and police *do* enforce that law. If you want to sleep in a car or camper you'll also need to find a campsite or parking space to rent.


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).


Can I drive to Volcano on Big Island?

Drive from Waimea/Hilo to Volcano. From the Saddle Road, North Big Island, or Hilo Airport, you can arrive at Aloha Junction via Route 11 on the Eastern shore of the Big Island to Volcano (45 Minutes).


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.


Is the Big Island expensive?

You should plan to spend around $250 per day on your vacation in Big Island of Hawaii, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, $106 on meals for one day and $38 on local transportation.


Why is the Big Island so expensive?

We have among the highest income taxes and tourism taxes. Now, Hawaii also has a tax called the general excise tax, which is kind of like a sales tax, except it's on all goods and services at every step in the production process. So even though it looks small, it's actually really big by the time it hits the consumer.


Can you drive around the Big Island in one day?

Because of its size, navigating around the Big Island can be daunting, and driving around the entire island will take around eight hours.


Can you drive all around the Big Island?

Driving around the island takes about six hours – and that's without stopping or running into any traffic. If you're looking to break up your trip a bit, try taking a self-guided tour like the one Action Tour Guide offers. Action Tour Guide's self-guided tour allows you to drive through the Big Island at your own pace.


What is the best time to see the volcano on the Big Island?

The best time to observe the glow from Halema'uma'u is before sunrise, or after 9 p.m., when most visitors have left. The park is open 24 hours a day.


Is it difficult to drive on the Big Island Hawaii?

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.


What is the best month to visit Big Island?

But, that said, some months are still better when considering things like weather and your budget. The best times to visit the Big Island of Hawaii, taking into consideration the weather, how crowded, or not, the island is, and demand for accommodations are the month(s) of April, May, August, September, and October.