Ok, I wouldn't drive fast. I wouldn't take a ferrari there. If you can do it in a 4WD, do, but it will be fine in a sedan. You're alone, the road is narrow and sometimes a bit rough. Don't hit anybody. Don't get a flat. Absolutely stunning drive. Done it several times. You rise over Parker ranch and drive... more

Saddle Road might be the only stretch of road that takes you from rain forest to desert in the span of 45 minutes. It's a rugged and unforgiving environment. I'd only recommend driving it during the day in a 4WD vehicle and that's only if you have some guts. You'd be out of your mind to drive this road at... more

Family and I drove Saddle Road from Hilo back to Kona. The road is paved and nice in some areas, while completely torn apart in others. The scenery is amazing... you go from the green rainforest atmosphere in Hilo to forest like areas to what seemed like being on the surface of the moon. The road can get extremely foggy,... more

We were just on the Big Island and drove the Saddle Road to Hilo (April 2009). It was an awesome highway with a long stretch of new pavement and more under improvement. We were staying in the Kohala area so it was a lot faster to get to Hilo via Saddle Road, than going the southern route. Totally worth it... more

I had read many bad things about this road and I found it ok, it was a bit narrow at times but that was all and half of it was recently paved so it was really no big deal and very well worth the views. more

This was a pretty road. After all the warnings about this road, we only took it because it went to Mauna Kea. Our rental company didn't have a problem with us taking this road (only with South Point and Waipio Valley) It wasn't nearly as bad as we thought it would be. It is a little rough in places, with... more

We really didn't understand why anyone would question the safety of this road. Once upon a time it may have been a little rough, but today it is a normal, everyday country road with scenic points and detours around every turn. Any driver that is challenged by this road should seriously question their capacity as a motirist in general... it... more

I cannot figure out what all the hulla-balloo about this road is! Maybe it is because I'm from New York and used to crappy roads. If you drive sensibly there will be no problem. It's actually kind of cool going through the different climates as you drive. There are some funny signs along the way warning of artillery fire near... more

Before arriving on the "Big Island" we were warned not to drive the Saddle Road between Kailua-Kona and Hilo. We've now driven it the entire way once, and halfway (Kailua-Kona to Mauna Kea) twice. The road is rough in places - particulary the Kailua-Kona half, where it is easier to drive down the middle of the road (if there is... more