Chain of Craters Road
Chain of Craters Road descends through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park from crater landscapes to coastal lava fields, with pit craters, lava flows, Puuloa Petroglyphs and Holei Sea Arch along the way.
Big Island Scenic Drive Guide
Big Island Scenic Drives
Find the best Big Island scenic drives for volcanic landscapes, coastal lava fields, rainforest roads, resort routes, mountain views and memorable day trips, from Chain of Craters Road and Saddle Road to Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Red Road, Old Mamalahoa Highway and Waikoloa Beach Drive.
Scenic drive directory
Big Island Scenic Drives
Browse Big Island scenic drives, from coastal routes and lookout stops to mountain roads, historic highways and memorable day-drive ideas.
Macadamia Road
Macadamia Road is a short East Hawaii orchard drive south of Hilo, leading through macadamia nut groves toward the Mauna Loa Visitor Center in Keaau.
Mauna Kea Beach Drive
Mauna Kea Beach Drive is a short Kohala Coast road from Highway 19 toward Kaunaoa Beach, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Mauumae Beach access, golf course views and resort landscaping.
Mauna Lani Drive
Mauna Lani Drive is a short Kohala Coast road from Queen Kaahumanu Highway into the Mauna Lani resort area, with lava fields, palms, golf course views, shoreline access and nearby historic sites.
Old Mamalahoa Highway
Old Mamalahoa Highway is a short rainforest drive north of Hilo, winding through the Hamakua Coast near Onomea Bay and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden.
Queen Kaahumanu Highway
Queen Kaahumanu Highway follows the Big Island's west side from Kailua-Kona toward the Kohala Coast, with lava fields, ocean views, airport access, beach roads and resort turnoffs.
Red Road (Kapoho-Kalapana Road)
Red Road, also known as Kapoho-Kalapana Road or Route 137, follows the Puna coast through tropical scenery, lava landscapes and shoreline areas changed by the 2018 Kilauea eruption.
Saddle Road
Saddle Road, also known as Route 200 or Daniel K. Inouye Highway, crosses the Big Island between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa with lava fields, high-elevation scenery, fog-prone areas and wide mountain views.
Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa Beach Drive leads from Queen Kaahumanu Highway into Waikoloa Beach Resort, with resort entrances, shopping, golf course views, landscaped roads and access toward Anaehoomalu Bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best scenic drives on the Big Island?
Popular Big Island scenic drives include Chain of Craters Road, Saddle Road, Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Red Road, Old Mamalahoa Highway and Waikoloa Beach Drive.
Which Big Island scenic drive is best for volcano scenery?
Chain of Craters Road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is the best-known route for crater views, lava fields, coastal cliffs, Puuloa Petroglyphs and Holei Sea Arch.
Which Big Island drive crosses between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa?
Saddle Road, also known as Daniel K. Inouye Highway or Route 200, crosses the island between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa with high-elevation views.
Which Big Island scenic drive is best for rainforest scenery?
Old Mamalahoa Highway north of Hilo offers a short rainforest drive near Onomea Bay and Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden along the Hamakua Coast.
Do Big Island scenic drives require advance planning?
Yes. The island is large, weather can change quickly and some drives pass remote areas with limited services, so check conditions, fuel up and plan by region.