Why rent a car in Hilo
Find the perfect car for your Hilo adventure by using the search form at the top of the page. Select “Hilo, HI” as your pickup location (or Hilo Airport ITO), choose your dates, and click Search. You’ll instantly see available cars and prices from multiple providers. It’s easy to filter by vehicle type (like SUV, minivan, or convertible) and compare what’s included. Once you’ve found the right ride, reserve it online with no prepayment in most cases, you’ll typically pay when you pick up the car in Hilo. Tip: If you have an early flight into Hilo, enter your arrival time, some agencies offer after-hours pickup with advance notice.
Hilo is the gateway to Hawaiʻi Island’s natural wonders, from active volcanoes to lush waterfalls, and having a rental car is essential to truly experience it all. AirportVanRental connects you with the best Hilo car rental deals so you can cruise the Big Island with ease. We work with major rental companies at Hilo International Airport (ITO) and in Hilo town, bringing you a wide choice of vehicles at affordable rates. Whether you need a compact car for zipping around Hilo’s waterfront or a sturdy 4x4 SUV to venture up Mauna Kea, we’ve got you covered. Enjoy our no-hidden-fee pricing, unlimited mileage on nearly all rentals, and the convenience of securing your car online in minutes. With your Hilo rental, you’re free to drive to black sand beaches, coffee farms, or across Saddle Road to Kona, the Big Island is yours to explore!
Why Choose AirportVanRental for Hilo Car Rentals?
One-Stop Comparison: Our site lets you compare prices from all the top Hilo car rental companies in one place. No need to browse multiple sites, see all deals at once and pick the cheapest or the one that suits your needs.
Great Rates & Transparent Pricing: We specialize in finding cheap Hilo car rental rates. What you see is what you pay, our quotes include taxes and standard fees, so you won’t get hit with surprise charges at the counter. Plus, we frequently have special discounts for Hilo rentals that you won’t find elsewhere.
Convenient Pick-Up & Drop-Off: Choose from Hilo International Airport (ITO) or downtown Hilo locations for pickup. Many visitors fly into Hilo Airport, grab your keys right after landing and be on your way to Volcanoes National Park. Planning to leave from Kona? Some agencies allow one-way rentals on the Big Island (Hilo to Kona), we’ll show you those options when available.
Unlimited Miles, No Worries: All standard rentals in Hilo come with unlimited mileage. Drive as much as you like, circle the island, go up and down the coast, without any extra per-mile charges. It’s perfect for exploring the Big Island’s expansive terrain.
Flexibility & Support: Enjoy free cancellation on most bookings up to 48 hours before pick-up, giving you flexibility if your plans change. Our customer support team is available 24/7 to assist, whether you have questions before booking or need help on the road in Hawaii, we’re here for you.
Top Car Rental Deals in Hilo
Economy Car, from $38/day (Nissan Versa or similar). Ideal for couples or solo travelers staying around Hilo town and short trips. Easy to park and fuel-efficient for those scenic drives along the Hamakua Coast.
Jeep Wrangler 4×4, from $55/day. A popular choice on the Big Island! Perfect if you’re heading to off-the-beaten-path spots or simply want that top-down, open-air experience. (Great for Chain of Craters Road in Volcanoes NP or rougher roads, but check rental policies for off-road use.)
Minivan (7-Passenger), from $60/day (e.g. Chrysler Pacifica or similar). Plenty of room for family or group luggage. Comfortable for longer drives (like Hilo to Kona) and comes with modern features. Excellent for touring the island together.
Pricing fluctuates with demand and season. Book early for peak times (summer, Christmas) to secure these low rates. Prices include unlimited miles and are in USD.
Hilo Driving Tips
Rain & Weather: Hilo is one of the rainiest cities in the U.S., showers are common, especially in the afternoon. Roads can get slick during downpours. Use your headlights when it’s raining and drive cautiously on wet roads. It’s wise to keep an umbrella or rain jacket in the car; you might start a trip in sunshine and encounter a sudden rain shower 10 minutes later.
Fuel Up Smartly: If you’re driving long distances (say, Hilo to Kona or to remote areas), fill up your tank in Hilo. Gas stations become sparse once you head out of town, for example, there are no gas stations along the 50-mile Saddle Road stretch. Fuel in Hilo tends to be a bit cheaper than in more remote parts of the island, too.
Road Conditions: The Saddle Road (Route 200) connecting Hilo to Kona is now a modern, paved highway, a huge improvement from years past, making cross-island drives much quicker (about 1.5 hours to Kona). If you plan to drive up Mauna Kea, note that rental cars are typically not allowed beyond the Visitor Information Station (~9,200 ft elevation) unless you have a 4x4 and explicit permission. Similarly, the road down into Waipio Valley is extremely steep and currently closed to public traffic, do not attempt it with a rental. Always heed “No Rental Cars” signs (some rough local roads have them).
Easy Parking: Hilo is relatively small, and parking is generally easy. Downtown has plenty of street parking (some metered spots, but rates are low) and a few free public lots. Places like the Hilo Farmers Market or popular restaurants might get busy, but you can usually find parking within a block or two. At tourist sites (Rainbow Falls, ʻAkaka Falls, beach parks), parking is usually free in designated lots. As always, lock your vehicle and don’t leave valuables on the seats, Hilo is safe, but petty theft from unlocked cars can happen anywhere.
Local Driving Etiquette: In Hilo and across Hawaii, people tend to drive with aloha, patiently and courteously. It’s common for drivers to let you merge or turn, so a friendly wave to say thanks is appreciated. Speed limits are lower on many roads (and strictly enforced), so resist the urge to speed, even if the road seems empty. Watch for pedestrians in downtown Hilo, many crosswalks, and pedestrians have the right of way at unsignalized crossings. Also, keep an eye out for wild nēnē geese or feral pigs if driving in rural areas; hitting one can be dangerous (and in the case of nēnē, they’re endangered!).
Road Trip Ideas from Hilo
Hilo to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (≈30 miles one-way):Highlights: Drive south on Highway 11 through lush Puna district to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Explore the park by car: tour Crater Rim Drive to see Kīlauea Caldera, stop at the Jaggar Museum overlook (currently closed but the viewpoint is accessible) for a panoramic crater view, and drive down Chain of Craters Road all the way to the Hōlei Sea Arch on the coast. Depending on volcanic activity, you might see steam or even lava (when flowing) from safe viewing areas. Tip: Pack a light jacket, it can be cool and misty at the summit (4,000 feet elevation) even if Hilo is warm. Fill up on gas in Hilo or Volcano Village. If staying after dark to possibly see a lava glow, the drive back is about 45 minutes on a well-marked highway to Hilo.
Scenic Hamakua Coast & Waipiʻo Valley (≈50 miles to Waipiʻo one-way):Route: Take Highway 19 north from Hilo along the Hāmākua Coast, one of Hawaii’s most scenic drives. Stop at ʻAkaka Falls State Park (11 miles north of Hilo) for a short walk to a breathtaking 442-ft waterfall. Continue through charming small towns like Laupāhoehoe (beautiful ocean lookout) and Honokaʻa. End at Waipiʻo Valley Lookout, where you’ll gaze down at a stunning valley with taro fields and a black sand beach. (The road into Waipiʻo Valley is steep and currently restricted, do not drive into the valley unless authorized). Tip: This drive is doable in a half-day. Morning is the best time, the weather is often clearer, and you’ll avoid tour bus crowds at Akaka Falls. Grab some malasadas or locally grown coffee in Honokaʻa for a pick-me-up.
Mauna Kea Stargazing Adventure (≈55 miles round-trip to Visitor Center):Highlights: Experience the night sky like never before! From Hilo, take Saddle Road to the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station at 9,200 ft elevation (about 1 hour from Hilo). Arrive before sunset and watch the stars come out, Mauna Kea’s high altitude and minimal light pollution make for incredible stargazing. On certain nights, rangers set up telescopes for public viewing of planets, galaxies, and more. Important: Most rental cars are not allowed beyond the Visitor Center to the summit (and the summit road absolutely requires a 4WD). It’s also very cold up there (often near freezing at night), so bring warm layers. Tip: Check the Visitor Center hours and weather conditions before going (sometimes they close due to high winds or snow). Leave Hilo with plenty of gas. Drink water and ascend slowly, you are going high, and altitude sickness is a possibility, so skip this trip if you have respiratory issues.
Popular Hilo destinations
Frequently Asked Questions
For most tourist destinations, no, a regular 2-wheel-drive car is perfectly fine. All the main sites (Volcanoes National Park, Akaka Falls, Waipio Valley Lookout, beaches, etc.) are accessible via paved roads. However, if you plan to do specific adventures like drive up to Mauna Kea’s summit (which requires 4x4 and is against most rental contracts) or explore rough lava field roads, a 4x4 is necessary. For the average traveler sticking to marked roads, an economy or standard car will suffice. If in doubt, check if your itinerary includes any off-pavement driving, and remember, damage off-road might not be covered by insurance.
Yes. Hilo isn’t a congested city, and parking is generally easy to find and often free. In Downtown Hilo, you’ll find both free 2-hour street parking and some metered spots (very inexpensive). There are also a couple of municipal parking lots that are free of charge for shoppers and visitors. Tourist attractions around Hilo (Rainbow Falls, beach parks like Carlsmith Beach) have parking lots that are free. On busy farmer’s market days or big event weekends, parking might get a bit tighter downtown, but even then, you can usually find a spot within a short walking distance.
Yes, you can drive across the Big Island from Hilo to Kailua-Kona. It’s about 1.5 to 2 hours via the Saddle Road (Route 200) which is a straight shot west over the island’s center. The drive offers incredible views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. With an unlimited mileage rental, this trip is no problem. Just remember, unless you have arranged a one-way rental (dropping off in Kona), you’ll need to drive back to Hilo to return the car.
If you want to explore the Big Island beyond Hilo town, yes, a rental car is highly recommended. While Hilo itself is compact and walkable in parts, the Big Island’s attractions are very spread out, there’s limited public transit and virtually no rideshare outside of town. With a car, you can easily visit Volcanoes National Park (45 min away), the beaches and waterfalls along the Hamakua Coast, and even take a day trip to the Kona side. Without a car, you’d be restricted to tours or very infrequent buses.