Do I Need a Car?

Yes, you will need a car to properly access and explore the area. If you plan to visit without a car, be sure to make arrangements well in advance for transportation and private guide(s).

Discount Hawaii Car Rental

Book your car with Discount Hawaii Car Rental for low rates and exceptional customer service. They work with all the major car rental companies and offer additional benefits such as a free extra driver. Reservations do not require payment until you pick up the car. 

Best Time to Arrive

To receive a personalized check-in, arrive between 3 and 5 p.m. This gives you an opportunity to familiarize yourself with Volcano, a rural village and gateway to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The town has eight restaurants/delis and three general stores. Visit our Plan Your Visit page for more information and hours of operation. If you are unable to arrive by 5 p.m., we offer an express/self-check-in option with advance notice. It is best to arrive before it gets dark as highways and roads are quite dark and rain can be heavy at times. 

When You Arrive

Turn into the one-lane driveway and follow the signs. The driveway does not have lights, so drive slow. The driveway will bring you to a large paved parking lot. Follow the signs to the Reception Desk located on the porch/lanai of the main house. If you arrive after 5 p.m., go directly to the room you booked. Our three B&B rooms are located in the green building next to the parking lot. If you are not sure which room you booked, email us before 5 p.m. on the day of arrival. 

Location

Hale 'Ohu B&B is located only 35-45 minutes from the Hilo International Airport and five minutes to the Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park entrance, which attracts over two million visitors a year. There is plenty of free parking at Hale 'Ohu B&B.

View Volcano area map

Driving Tips

  • Saddle Road/Highway 200 - This is the quickest way from Kona to Hilo. This route is safe and well paved. Today, you should feel completely comfortable traversing the island via this road. However, the road can be dark at night and has low visibility when fog and rain move in. 

  • Speed Limit - Watch your speed! Always drive the posted speed limit especially in Volcanoes National Park and when passing the military installation along Saddle Road. Both areas are subject to Federal not local laws. 

  • Highway 11 South - From Kona to Volcano, this route is much more picturesque than the Saddle Road and you can make stops at attractions such as the Black Sand Beach, Ka'u Coffee Mill and the Punalu'u Bake Shop. This is a two lane road (one lane in either direction) and has many curves. We do not recommend taking this route from Kona at night.  

  • 4-Wheel Drive - It is not necessary to have a 4-wheel drive car unless you plan to drive from Mauna Kea's Visitor Center to the summit or to the Green Sand Beach. 

Driving Directions 

Use Google Maps or download directions (PDF) to Hale 'Ohu B&B. Our address is 19-3896 Old Volcano Road, Volcano, HI, 96785. Driveway entrance is located between Pearl Ave. and Wright Rd. A helpful note: Look for the black lamp post and white stones at the start of our driveway.

If 19-3896 Old Volcano Road, Volcano, HI, 96785 does not come up on your GPS navigation system as an exact address, your GPS is NOT going to get you to the B&B. You can try these coordinates: [Latitude: 19.433248 | Longitude: -155.227911]. 

Alternatively, below are the driving directions to Hale 'Ohu B&B from the two airports that serve the Big Island. Hilo is the closest airport to Hale 'Ohu B&B.  

From the Hilo airport

  1. Head northwest on Airport Road/Kekuanaoa Street toward Ailolo Street for 1.4 mi to exit the airport.

  2. Turn left onto HI-11/Hawaii Belt Road/Kanoelehua Avenue.

  3. Continue to follow HI-11/Hawaii Belt Road for 25.5 mi.

  4. After mile marker 26, turn right onto Pearl Ave.

  5. Turn left onto Old Volcano Road.

  6. Hale 'Ohu B&B will be on the right.

  7. If you pass Wright Road, you have gone too far.

Distance: 27 miles
Time: 35 minutes

From the Kailua-Kona airport – Via Saddle Road

  1. Take Keahole Airport Road towards HI-19.

  2. Turn right onto HI-19.

  3. Turn left onto Kaiminani Drive.

  4. Turn left onto HI-190.

  5. Turn right onto HI-200 (Daniel K. Inouye Hwy that becomes Saddle Road).

  6. Continue onto Kaumana Drive.

  7. Take slight right onto Puainako Street (HI-2000).

  8. Take right onto Komohana Street then left onto Puainako Street.

  9. Turn right onto HI-11 (Hawaii Belt Road).

  10. After mile marker 26, turn right onto Pearl Ave.

  11. Turn left onto Old Volcano Road.

  12. Hale 'Ohu B&B will be on the right. 

  13. If you pass Wright Road, you have gone too far.

Distance: 100 miles
Time: 2 hours

From the Kailua-Kona airport – Via Highway 11/Southern Route

  1. Take Keahole Airport Road towards HI-19.

  2. Turn right onto HI-19.

  3. Keep left to stay on HI-19.

  4. Continue onto HI-11/Hawaii Belt Rd.

  5. Turn right onto HI-11/Hawaii Belt Rd.

  6. Turn left onto HI-11/Hawaii Belt Rd/S Kona Belt Rd.

  7. After mile marker 27, turn left onto Pearl Ave.

  8. Turn left onto Old Volcano Road.

  9. Hale 'Ohu B&B will be on the right. 

  10. If you pass Wright Road, you have gone too far.

Distance: 104 miles
Time: 2 hours 35 minutes

Driving Distances

A helpful tip: The Big Island as its namesake is big. Be sure to allow enough time to travel around the island. To Volcano Village, expect to encounter these drive times:

Hilo: 26 miles (30-45 minutes)
Kailua-Kona: 100 miles (2-2.5 hours)
Waimea: 84 miles (2 hours)
Captain Cook: 85 miles (2 hours)