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Chain of Craters Road, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Photo: George Mitchell · CC BY 3.0

Drives Hawaii Hawaiʻi Island

Chain of Craters Road

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii · Crater Rim Drive → Hōlei Sea Arch

Sweeping17.3 mi45 min200 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,600 ftOne way
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The drive

Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park starts at the highest part of the East Rift Zone and descends about 3,700 feet to the south coast. This drive runs 17.3 miles in about 45 minutes with mostly gentle curves, from Crater Rim Drive toward the Hōlei Sea Arch.

Along the way are pit craters, including Lua Manu, Puhimau and Koʻokoʻolau, the Mauna Ulu cinder cone, dormant lava flows and Kipuka Nene, a forest of 1,100-year-old trees surrounded by fresh lava. The road has been closed by lava flows several times, in 1969, 1986, 1995 and 2016.

Along the way

  1. Crater Rim Drive
  2. Hōlei Sea Arch
Elevation
200 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,600 ft
Crater Rim DriveHōlei Sea Arch
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
Crater Rim DriveHōlei Sea Arch
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The park charges $30 for a private vehicle, and the America the Beautiful pass covers it.
  • The park warns of closures and delays from a two-year construction project at the summit.
  • Hazardous volcanic gases can be a danger to sensitive groups, so check air quality during a visit.
  • Parking lots can be full by about 10 a.m.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park: conditions.

Questions about this drive

How long does Chain of Craters Road take to drive?

Chain of Craters Road from Crater Rim Drive to the Hōlei Sea Arch is 17.3 miles and takes about 45 minutes.

How far does Chain of Craters Road drop?

It descends about 3,700 feet from the East Rift Zone to the south coast.

Is there a fee for Chain of Craters Road?

Yes. It is in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which charges $30 for a private vehicle.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Chain of Craters Road, from Crater Rim Drive to Hōlei Sea Arch