Mauna Kea Summit 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 Summit 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 Summit 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 Wrangler Soft Top – Lifted
Sport S Model, 2" Lift & Stepper Bars, 5 Seats, 4 Doors, Automatic, Convertible Soft Top Roof, Holds…
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 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 the access road to the Mauna Kea Summit?
Yes. Our fleet is contractually approved for the Mauna Kea Summit Access Road. None of the large corporate rental agencies allow their vehicles to leave the pavement or go past the Visitor Information Station to the Summit.
Where exactly is your Kona Jeep rental pickup location?
Our pick up location is 73-4241 Hulikoa Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740. We are less than 10 minutes from the Kona Airport.
Do you offer airport pickup at Kona International Airport (KOA)?
Yes. Our private airport shuttle meets you at Kona Airport baggage claim and is available for $129 round‑trip, total, plus tax. Your vehicle is fueled, and ready for self-service as per the check in instructions shared in your booking confirmation.
Is your Kona Jeep rental price all-inclusive — no hidden fees?
Yes. The quoted daily rate includes unlimited miles, all state taxes, one primary driver, our exclusive local travel route guide and 24/7 support. We don’t add tracker fees, GPS fees or cleaning surcharges.
What's included with every Big Island rental?
Unlimited miles, taxes and you can add up to four named drivers for $5 each plus tax. Drivers under 25 are subject to a $20/day young driver fee.
How does the damage deposit work?
We do not collect a damage deposit. Our return process is self-service, so after you drop off the vehicle, our team reviews the return photos, vehicle condition, and fuel level. If everything matches the pickup condition and fuel agreement, you're all set. Any applicable surcharge, such as damage, missing fuel, or excessive cleaning, will be billed based on the inspection and you will be notified of the expense along with supporting documentation.
Ready when you are
A Jeep waiting at KOA.
Hold one in 60 seconds — no card needed. We text from a real Hawai’i number to confirm your Kona car rentals and answer route questions before you fly.