Saddle Road

HI 200 · Mamalahoa Highway → Hilo

Leisurely47 mi50 min4,300 ft climbHigh point ≈ 6,800 ftOne way

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The drive

Saddle Road, the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, crosses Hawaiʻi Island between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. It tops out at 6,632 feet near Puʻu Huluhulu, around mile 28. This drive starts on the Kona side at the Mamalahoa Highway and runs east to Hilo, passing the Mauna Kea Access Road on the way.

Most of the road has been repaved and large parts realigned to modern standards, with rebuilding finished in stages between 2008 and 2013. It carries no tourist services or other infrastructure.

Along the way

Mamalahoa Highway
Mauna Kea Access Road
Hilo

Elevation

4,300 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 6,800 ft

Mamalahoa HighwayHilo

Curves

Mostly gentle curves

Mamalahoa HighwayHilo

GentleHairpins

Good to know

There are no tourist services along Saddle Road, so fuel up before you start.
From mileposts 35 to 44 the road passes the Pōhakuloa Training Area, and military vehicles sometimes cross or occupy the road.
Fog and low visibility are common, with many curves and rises that limit sight distance, especially on the Hilo side.
The Mauna Kea Summit Road is a separate 14-mile road, and only parts of it are paved.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Hawaiʻi DOT Highways: roadwork.

Questions about this drive

How long does Saddle Road take to drive?

Saddle Road from the Mamalahoa Highway to Hilo is 47.4 miles and takes about 50 min.

Are there gas stations on Saddle Road?

Saddle Road has no tourist services or other infrastructure, so plan to have fuel before you start.

How high does Saddle Road go?

Saddle Road reaches 6,632 feet near Puʻu Huluhulu, around mile 28.

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.

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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