Mauna Kea Access Road
From Saddle Road to the Visitor Information Station and (for experienced drivers in 4WD-Low) the summit road. Permitted in our Rubicons and Extreme Recons; daylight only, weather-dependent.
Routes and use cases
Where Big Island Jeeps actually go.
A short list of the drives our Jeep rental Kona guests actually do.
Waipiʻo Valley overlook
Waimea up over the Hāmākua Coast to the Waipiʻo Valley overlook (the descent road is closed to rentals; the overlook is the legal turnaround we recommend).
Volcanoes National Park loop
Crater Rim Drive, Chain of Craters Road, Thurston Lava Tube. Highway-only — but you'll want the high seating position when fog rolls in at Kīlauea.
Hapuna → Kohala Coast
Hapuna Beach, Kaunaʻoa, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, Spencer Beach Park. Resort drop-off available between Hapuna and Keauhou — your car rental in Kailua-Kona includes no extra fee for this run.
Ka Lae & Green Sand Beach
The southernmost point in the U.S. and the rough road out to Papakōlea. The residents cannot visit this place; however, a Hawaiian resident can take them through the place.
Saddle Road sunset
Drive between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa as the sun drops behind Hualalai. Best done open-air; the temperature change is dramatic — bring the soft top.
Fleet for the Big Island
Pick the Jeep that fits the road.
Three popular pairings for Big Island stays.
4dr Wrangler Rubicon Xtreme Recon Edition Sky 1-Touch
Rubicon Xtreme Recon Edition, 1.5" Lift, 35” Tires, 5 Seats, 4 Doors, Automatic, Sky One-Touch Convertible Soft Top…
Vehicle details
4dr Gladiator Rubicon Soft Top
5 Seats, 4 Doors, Automatic, Truck Bed with Tonneau Cover, Rubicon Edition, 33” Tires, Convertible Soft Top Roof,…
Vehicle details
INEOS Grenadier
Luxury SUV, 5 Seats, 4 Doors, Automatic, Safari Window Top, Holds 4 Large Suitcases, Four Wheel Drive, Leather…
Vehicle detailsBig Island travel guides
Local notes worth reading.
Written by the same people who hand you the keys to your car rental Kona pickup. No top-10 lists — just the stuff we'd tell our own family if they were renting next week.
Big Island FAQ
Honest answers, no fine print.
Questions our car rental guests in Kona ask before their Big Island stay. If yours isn't here, text us — we answer in real time.
Can your Big Island Jeep rentals legally drive Mauna Kea?
Yes. Our lifted Wranglers, Rubicons, and Rubicon Extreme Recons are inspected, insured, and contractually approved for the Mauna Kea Access Road and Saddle Road. Most mainstream rental companies prohibit driving above the visitor center — we do not. The Rubicon Extreme Recon with factory 35-inch tires and 4.88 axle is our top pick for summit road conditions.
Where exactly is your Kona Jeep rental pickup location?
We stage our Kona car rental fleet at Kona International Airport (KOA) for curbside meet or at our Kailua-Kona shop for self-pickup. Hotel and vacation-rental delivery is available along the Kohala Coast resorts with a 24-hour notice. Rates vary depending on location and service. No counter. No shuttle bus. We come to you.
Do you offer airport pickup at Kona (KOA)?
Yes. Our private airport shuttle meets you curbside at both airports for $129 round-trip total. Your car rental in Kona, Hawaii, is fueled, walked through, and ready before you leave the curb.
Is your Kona Jeep rental price all-inclusive — no hidden fees?
Yes. The quoted daily rate includes unlimited miles, all state taxes, four named drivers, beach mat and cooler, local route guide, and 24/7 support from a real Hawaiʻi number. We do not add tracker fees, GPS fees, or cleaning surcharges. The final rates depend on the season in which you are booking.
What's included with every Big Island rental?
Unlimited miles, taxes, and up to 4 named drivers are included. Travelers pay a one‑time $5 fee plus taxes. Young drivers can be added for $20. No tracker fees. No surprise cleaning surcharges.
What is the best 4WD rental on the Big Island for Saddle Road?
The Rubicon Extreme Recon is built for it — factory 35-inch BFG tires, 4.88 axle ratio, 4WD-Low, Hill Descent Control, and 11+ inches of ground clearance. The Wrangler Rubicon handles Saddle Road and the Mauna Kea Access Road comfortably. Both are contractually permitted for high-elevation driving. Neither is available through mainstream car rental Hawaii counters.
How does the damage deposit work?
A standard hold is placed at pickup and released after a clean inspection at return. We walk through every panel with you on both ends and only charge for damage we can show you..
Wagoneer or Wrangler — which fits a Big Island family trip?
If you have three rows of people, the Grand Wagoneer is unmatched. If you want open air and capability, the Wrangler Rubicon is still the right answer. We help you decide before you book.
Ready when you are
A Jeep waiting at KOA.
Hold one in 60 seconds — no card needed. We text from a real Hawaiʻi number to confirm your Kona car rentals and answer route questions before you fly.