Travel Itinerary: Kona to Volcano in 12 Hours

Kilauea lava flow

Kilauea lava flow

Kona to Volcano

The drive from Kona to the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is lengthy at 2.5 hours each way, but well worth the trip.  The Kilauea Volcano is the highlight of many visitor’s Big Island vacation.  Make sure you plan your trip accordingly of you plan to drive back to Kona late at night after viewing the Kilauea lava flow.

 

Kona to the Volcano in 12 Hours

Event Time Elapsed Time Activity Description
START 0:00 Depart Kona or Kohala Coast
2:30 2:30 Drive to the Volcanoes National Park (10$ entrance fee per vehicle) View road map
0:45 3:15 Volcanoes National Park Visitor's CenterStop at the Visitor’s Center, view exhibits and walk across street to the Volcano House and observation deck
1:45 5:00 Halemaumau Crater with Mauna Loa in BackgroundDrive around Crater Rim Drivecounter-clockwise stopping at these attractions:  Sulphur Banks; Jaegar Museum; Halemaumau Crater; Thurston Lava Tube
2:00 7:00 Sea cliffs, Chain of Craters RoadDrive to the ocean via the Chain of Craters Road and stop at these attractions: Scenic Overlooks; Holei Sea Arch; end of road where lava flowed
2:30 9:30 Lava flow ocean entryHike to scenic lookout to see thelava flow at dusk.  The first scenic lookout is a short 30 minutes from the parking area, the distant lookout is about 3 miles hike over rough lava each way (add additional time for this hike)
2:30 12:00 Drive back to Kona at night

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Kilauea Lava Flow
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