Kona to Hilo: A Complete Guide to Driving Across the Big Island
The Big Island of Hawaii is one of my favorite places I’ve visited to date! Why? Because there is SO much to do on this incredible island. From Kona to Hilo, the Big Island does not disappoint when it comes to choosing activities.
A lot of people visit the Big Island and only stay in Kona. In fact, before planning a one week trip to the Big Island, I had no idea how much there was to do outside of Kona! There is so much more to this island, and the best way to see it all is to make the drive from Kona to Hilo and stay on both sides of the island. Hilo is the main town on the east side of the Big Island, and it’s the perfect launching point for tons of different activities.
In this detailed guide, I break down everything you need to know about driving from Kona to Hilo, including route options, how long it will take, and most importantly, everything there is to do along the way!
So take my advice and make sure to stay on both sides of the Big Island when you visit – there’s so much to see between the two!
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you!
A Quick Look at the Big Island
Don’t have a lot of time? Here’s a quick mini guide to the Big Island to help plan your epic adventure!
Where to Stay:
Royal Kona Resort: The PERFECT place to stay in Kona! Great location, awesome pool and bar, and spacious rooms!
SCP Hilo: An environmentally conscious hotel that perfectly represents Hilo!
Read my full guide on Where to Stay here!
When to Visit:
– My favorite time is April/May (great weather and shoulder season)
– High season is December – March (also whale season!)
– Summer (July-August) is very warm and also sees a good amount of crowds
Things to Do:
Snorkel with Manta Rays (the TOP activity to do on the Big Island – full guide here!)
Mauna Kea Stargazing Adventure (pricey but a very unique experience)
Whale Watching Cruise (only in the winter!)
Read my full list of things to do here!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the drive from Kona to Hilo?
It depends which route you take! The shortest route will get you from Kona to Hilo in about 1.5 hours. The longest route will take about 3 hours.
Is it safe to drive from Kona to Hilo?
Yes! All routes are paved and totally safe.
Is there a shuttle between Kona and Hilo?
Yes, there is! The Hele-On Bus is offered by Hawaii County and has a route directly between Kona and Hilo. The bus will take around 2.5 hours and it costs $2 per person. This is a great option if you are on a tight budget. However, you won’t get to explore any of the incredible places along the way!
Can I fly from Kona to Hilo?
Not really. Both Kona and Hilo have their own airports; however, there are no direct flights between the two. You would have to connect in Honolulu, which of course makes absolutely no sense! Stick to driving!
Why should I visit both Kona and Hilo?
Great question! Kona and Hilo are two very different places, and I recommend seeing both on your trip! Kona is the drier side of the island, famous for its beaches and sunny weather. Hilo is the wetter side of the island and has waterfalls, rainforests, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park! I recommend staying in both Kona and Hilo to have the best experience.
Route Options
As you start planning your drive from Kona to Hilo, you might think about taking the most direct and quickest route. However, I am here to tell you NOT to do this!
In fact, the rest of this blog post is going to be based on not taking this route 🙂 But don’t fret, I have your best interests at heart!
As you can see on the below map, there are 3 main routes you can take as you make the drive from Kona to Hilo. Below, I will give you a quick breakdown of each one, and the rest of this post will focus on Option 3!
Option 1: Kona to Hilo via Saddle Road
Option 1 is the quickest and most direct route I mentioned! On the map above, it’s the one that cuts directly across the middle of the island. This route is approximately 78 miles and will take you around 1.5 hours to make the journey from Kona to Hilo.
This route is absolutely beautiful, as you pass between the island’s two largest volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea. At some points on this drive, it really feels like you’re on Mars!
While this route is stunning, there isn’t much to see along the way. So if you are looking for the shortest and quickest way across the island, this is your best option! However, I don’t recommend it if you are trying to maximize your time exploring every inch of the Big Island.
Option 2: Kona to Hilo via Highway 11
Your second option when driving from Kona to Hilo is to take Highway 11 across the southern tip of the Island. This route is the longest of the 3 options. It spans about 120 miles and will take you just under 3 hours from start to finish.
While there are definitely TONS of things to see along this southern route, I don’t recommend it if you are driving straight to Hilo for that exact reason.
What do I mean by this? This route from Kona to Hilo takes you right past the entrance to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, as well as coffee farms, South Point, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach and the Mahana Green Sand Beach. Of course, if you are visiting the Big Island, these things should absolutely be on your itinerary.
However, I recommend visiting these places as a day trip (or multiple!) from Hilo, or staying in the town of Volcano itself, instead of stopping along the drive from Kona to Hilo.
If you were to drive from Kona to Hilo in one day, while also visiting the National Park and all the other incredible places along this route, you would be MISERABLE. There just isn’t enough time to see and do it all.
Instead, I recommend taking Option 3 to get from Kona to Hilo and then exploring the southern side of the island as a day trip from Hilo at some point during your trip!
Option 3: Kona to Hilo via Highway 19 (recommended Route)
Welcome to Option 3, which will be the focus of the rest of this blog post! In my opinion, this is the best way to get from Kona to Hilo! On the map above, it’s the route that goes along the top of the island.
This route is just under 100 miles long and would take you about 2 hours if you drove straight through. However, I don’t recommend that!
In the rest of this post, I’ll go over all of the incredible places to stop along this route. I recommend making a little road trip out of this drive, as it gives you a chance to see many different parts of the island! Each place I mention is also linked in the above map 🙂
P.S. If you are visiting the Big Island, you absolutely NEED to rent a car! This island is huge – did you know all of the other Hawaiian islands could fit inside of it?!
The Drive from Kona to Hilo: Everywhere to Stop Along the Way (with Map + Photos)
Part 1: Kona to Waimea
Distance: 40 miles
Travel Time: 50 minutes
Things to Do: Coffee & Shopping
On the first leg of this journey, you’ll make your way out of the historic Kona town and along the northwestern edge of the island to the town of Waimea. I recommend taking Highway 19 as you leave Kona (instead of Highway 190), as it’s a beautiful scenic route with great views of the ocean!
As you make your way north towards the Kohala coast, you’ll pass by the Kona Airport, as well as the Waikoloa area, where some of the island’s most expensive resorts are. Hotels like the Fairmont Orchid, Mauna Lani, and the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel all call this area home!
Continue driving until you reach the small town of Waimea, also known as Hawaiian cowboy country! Waimea is a historic town that is home to cattle, cowboys and ranches. You can see why as soon as you arrive. The rolling green hills and pastures looks like something out of movie!
I recommend using this as a quick stop to stretch your legs and grab some coffee & breakfast from the yummy Waimea Coffee Company. Right next store, there’s an adorable General Store that makes a great spot to grab some souvenirs.
If you are looking for a little adventure, you can also visit Kahua Ranch, a working cattle farm tucked into the rolling hills. Here, you can go on a horseback ride and learn about Hawaii cowboys (called paniolos)!
Part 2: Waimea to Waipi’o Valley
Distance: 22 miles
Travel Time: 30 minutes
Things to Do: Waipio Valley Lookout
After you’ve had your fill of Waimea, it’s time to make your way to the incredible Waipi’o Valley. It’s a quick drive from Waimea to the northeastern coast of the island. Make your way to the Waipi’o Valley Lookout, which is sure to make your jaw drop!
The Waipi’o Valley was once the home of Hawaii’s royal families, including King Kamehameha I. This is why the area is also known as the “Valley of Kings”. Waipi’o Valley has a strong cultural history and significance to the Hawaiian people. You can read more about the Valley here!
The road into the Valley itself is actually closed to non-Hawaiian residents as a safety measure due to the deteriorating conditions. However, you can visit the Valley on an organized tour like this one.
If you don’t want to do a tour (we didn’t), the Waipi’o Valley Lookout is still a great place to stop as you drive from Kona to Hilo. It’s a quick 2-minute paved walk from the parking lot, and the views are absolutely breathtaking!
Part 3: Waipi’o Valley to Laupāhoehoe Point
Distance: 26 miles
Travel Time: 38 minutes
Things to Do: Snacks and Sightseeing
Upon leaving the Waipi’o Valley area, you’ll start making your way southeast along the coast towards Hilo. Don’t worry, there’s still plenty of awesome stops along the way! The first of which is the Waipio Fruit Shack, which you will pass on the right side of the road.
I still think about how adorable and yummy this place was! They have a variety of local Hawaiian fruits, some of which we had never even heard of before! They also have fresh coconuts, lemonade, and more. It was the perfect snack break after leaving the Waipi’o Valley Lookout.
After your snack stop, continue your drive along Highway 19 to Laupāhoehoe Point. This scenic area has a rich but tragic history. It started as a small fishing village and became one of the Big Island’s biggest ports thanks to a booming sugar plantation industry. However, in 1946, a tsunami devastated the area, killing over 150 people, including several schoolchildren.
Now, the area serves as a beach park with stunning lava rock and strong surf. Visiting Laupāhoehoe Point is a great addition to your drive from Kona to Hilo. The area is truly stunning, and it is remarkable to learn about the strong history of the area.
Part 4: Laupāhoehoe Point to ‘Akaka Falls State Park
Distance: 19 miles
Travel Time: 30 minutes
Things to Do: Waterfalls and Hiking
It’s time to leave Laupāhoehoe Point and continue making your way towards Hilo! The next stop is one of my favorites and definitely should not be skipped.
Located 30 minutes away from Laupāhoehoe Point is the famous ‘Akaka Falls State Park, which is home to not one, but two gorgeous waterfalls!
Pssst: Make sure to check out my guide to the Best Waterfalls on the Big Island for more info!
The park costs $5 per person to enter (plus $10 per vehicle to park). Once you arrive, the park is extremely easy to navigate, with paved walkways and well-marked trails. This is a perfect stop for the whole family.
I recommend taking the counterclockwise loop so you can see both Kahuna Falls and ‘Akaka Falls. On top of the gorgeous waterfalls, the park is full of lush greenery, tropical flowers, and more. It was raining when we visited, but I think that added to the magic! You can plan to spend about an hour here taking in the incredible scenery.
Part 5: Akaka Falls State Park to Onomea Bay
Distance: 11 miles
Travel Time: 19 minutes
Things to Do: Botanical Garden, Onomea Trail
If you still have daylight and energy, there is one more stop I recommend before completing your drive from Kona to Hilo! Halfway between ‘Akaka Falls State Park and Hilo is the area of Onomea Bay. Here, you’ll find the Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden, a 40-acre natural garden of tropical plants.
The Gardens are open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm and cost $30 per person to enter. This might seem a little steep, but if you are a photographer or tropical plant lover, it’s worth it!
Another great (and free) option while visiting the area is to hike the Onomea Bay Trail, a quick half-mile out and back trail that does not disappoint!
The trail actually cuts across the Botanical Gardens, so it’s a great way to get a taste of the tropical landscape without the price tag. In addition, you’ll be granted with some incredible views of the ocean and Onomea Bay. Just make sure to bring your inspect repellant!
Part 6: Onomea Bay to Hilo
Distance: 6 miles
Travel Time: 13 minutes
Things to Do: Watch the surfers, Explore Hilo!
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably had an action packed day! This is the last leg of the journey as you make your way from Onomea Bay to your final destination: Hilo, Hawaii!
Looking for one last stop? Watching the surfers and sunset at Honoli’i Beach Park is a great way to end the day. It’s just a few minutes outside of Hilo town as you make your way from Onomea Bay.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up my Ultimate Guide to Driving from Kona to Hilo! I hope this guide was helpful in planning your adventure to the Big Island.
As I mentioned in the beginning of this post, I highly recommend making your drive from Kona to Hilo a productive one, instead of just taking the most direct route (where’s the fun in that anyway?!)
The Big Island of Hawaii has so many amazing adventures to choose from! If you are looking for more, make sure to check out my list of 30 INCREDIBLE Things to Do on the Big Island!
Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!
We plan on going to Hawaii in the next couple of years, so this is so helpful. Thank you for sharing everything about how to visit the Big Island! I hadn’t done any research at all yet. Will definitely be using this.