Taking Rental Cars Off-Road or on Saddle Road on the Big Island

Information and Cautions about Off Road and Taking Car Rentals on Saddle Road between Kona and Hilo

Are Rental Cars Allowed Off-Road or on Saddle Road on the Big Island?

Off-Road:

Four wheel drive on a car rental is not necessary on any of the Hawaiian Islands. This is because the car rental companies DO NOT allow any of their cars to be taken off-road or off the pavement, even if they are 4-wheel drive (4WD). Going onto any unpaved or off road area in Hawaii is a car rental contract violation. So as long as you stay on the paved portion you’re fine. 

Saddle Road:

I have been advised by Avis, Budget, Dollar, Thrifty and Enterprise that it is now okay to take their rental cars on Saddle Road. Saddle Road, which is State Route 200 on the Big Island, is now completely paved from the Kona side all the way to the Hilo side of the Big Island. The Mauna Kea Observatory Access Road is also paved between Saddle Road and the Mauna Kea Visitor’s Center. However, beyond the visitor's center and all the way up to the observatory, it is not paved. It can be very dangerous to travel beyond the visitor's center and it is forbidden to take rental cars on this unpaved portion. 

Mauna Kea Observatory Access Road:

Dollar, Thrifty and Enterprise do allow their rental cars to travel on the Mauna Kea Observatory Access Road from Saddle Road to the visitor's center, but not beyond the visitor's center because the road is not paved. Avis and Budget DO NOT allow their rental cars to travel from Saddle Road to the visitor's center on the Mauna Kea Observatory Access Road, even though it is paved.

Avis/Budget cars are not allowed on Mauna Kea Observatory Access Road:

Among other Hawaiian island locations such as South Point, Waipio Valley, Kekaha Kai State Park, Avis and Budget DO NOT allow their rental cars to be taken on the Mauna Kea Observatory Access Road between Saddle Road and the Visitor's Center (even though it is paved) - When you rent a car in Hawaii on any island, you will be asked to sign the Avis/Budget Rental Agreement Addendum Terms & Conditions.

Saddle Road Cautions:

Please be advised of these Saddle Road cautions:

• There are no street lights

• There are no services whatsoever; no gas, no food, nothing. It's a country road.

• The older paved section of Saddle Road can be hazardous because of rough pavement and possible potholes

• Visibility can be poor due to weather conditions

• Little to no cell phone reception.

• If you break down, it could be hours before a tow truck arrives to help

• Military vehicles cross, enter and leave this road. There are also slow-moving military convoys on this road.

Mauna Kea Observatory - How to get there

If you want to go all the way up to the Mauna Kea Observatory, you will need to find a commercial tour company or a car rental company in Hilo to rent you a 4WD and that also allows their vehicles on the unpaved road. But be advised that the road can be treacherous, especially in inclement weather. Mauna Kea is a 14,000 mountain and you can also get altitude sickness.

Does regular car damage insurance and liability issues apply? As long as there is no evidence of going off road. That would be considered a contract violation at which time the coverages would be null and void.

If a rental car has stalled out, quit running, and won’t start on Saddle Road. Does the rental car company pay to come and get it? If the customer purchases roadside assistance protection and there are no contract violations, then yes. But be aware that Saddle Road is in a fairly remote area of the island so it would be hours before anyone would be able to get to them. If they don’t take this insurance coverage then the customer may be charged for the tow depending on the situation. It is suggested that the customer call their own insurance company or auto club for a tow. The Rental locations really try to discourage customers from going on this road because it is dangerous and so far from anything. Cell phones don’t work in most places around there.

If you're traveling between Hilo to Kona and you enjoy beautiful tropical Hawaiian scenery, Saddle Road is not the way to go. It is quite barren, dry and rocky. It's probably better to take the north coast road so you can stop off along the way in the small towns, botanical gardens, and small beach parks along the way.