Chain of Craters Road
Chain of Craters Road descends through Hawaii Volcanoes National Park from crater overlooks to coastal lava fields, with Pu'uloa 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
Find Big Island scenic drives, from coastal routes and lookout stops to mountain roads, historic highways and easy day-drive ideas.
Macadamia Road
Macadamia Road is a short Big Island drive near Hilo, passing orchards, pastureland, rainforest edges and the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Company area.
Mauna Kea Beach Drive
Mauna Kea Beach Drive is a short Kohala access road from Queen Kaahumanu Highway toward Kaunaoa Beach, Mauumae Beach access, resort landscaping and golf course views.
Mauna Lani Drive
Mauna Lani Drive is a short South Kohala road from Queen Kaahumanu Highway to resort entrances, lava fields, palms, golf views, shore access and nearby historic places.
Old Mamalahoa Highway
Old Mamalahoa Highway is a short rainforest drive north of Hilo, with narrow curves, tropical greenery, Onomea Bay views and access to Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden.
Queen Kaahumanu Highway
Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway is a major west Hawaii road linking Kailua-Kona, the airport, Waikoloa, the Kohala Coast and Kawaihae through wide lava-field scenery.
Red Road (Kapoho-Kalapana Road)
Red Road, also known as Kapoho-Kalapana Road, follows Highway 137 through Puna lava fields, tropical vegetation, black-sand shore areas and places reshaped by the 2018 Kilauea eruption.
Saddle Road
Saddle Road, officially Daniel K. Inouye Highway, crosses Hawaii Island between Hilo and west Hawaii, passing high lava plains between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
Waikoloa Beach Drive
Waikoloa Beach Drive is a resort-area road on the Kohala Coast, passing lava fields, beach access, golf areas, shops, fishponds and resort entrances near 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.