Driving and Transit in The Big Island
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: what getting around The Big Island really takes.
Matt, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Matt was born and raised on Oahu and currently makes the North Shore playground his home. He has lived in four states, half a dozen countries, and more houses across Oahu than he can remember. Each move requires relocating something like 40 surf, foil, and paddle boards and the sobering realization that they all have to fit somewhere. He is an adventure journalist, backcountry snowboarder, rock climber, mountain biker, and relentless swell tracker who loves scouting out obscure waves in far-flung corners of the world. Favorite constants include swell checks, tide charts, and vegan sushi at Tane. At Snappy Scout, Matt edits Hawaii guides with saltwater honesty and local precision.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
How Do You Get Around The Big Island?
Commutes, congestion, transit, and parking: the daily logistics nobody puts on the listing.
The time I spend getting to/from work every day is
12 minutes, unless a cow has plans.
Traffic congestion areas to avoid include
Kona Palani Road at sunset and cruise ship days.
Ability to get around without a car?
Possible in town, otherwise you should buy stock in Uber to offset your expenditures.
Locals dream of driving around in a
lifted Tacoma, clean enough for Foodland parking lot.
The reality is that most locals drive
a sunburned 4Runner with sandy floor mats.
Quirky local driving habit?
Wave a thankful shaka, then brake for the view.
The likelihood of finding parking is
high, except at Costco Kona (good luck, brave soul).
#1 driving tip?
Always let the aunties merge.
Where I Go for a Quiet Escape
For all the talk about Mauna Kea's summit (snow, views, stargazing, etc.), very few people actually make the effort to go all the way to the top. When I'm looking for a long day of quiet solitude (and a lot of exercise), I'll bike up as far as I can go, then hike the rest of the way.
— Matt Rott
Hawaii Local Expert
Ready to See If The Big Island Fits You?
Compare neighborhoods, check the routes, or head back to the full The Big Island guide for the bigger picture.