North America

Chain of Craters Road

United States

Point-to-point

Kīlauea Visitor Center Holei Sea Arch

In short: Chain of Craters Road is a 55 km scenic road trip in United States, typically driven over 1 day, best in Year-round. Highlights: Kīlauea Visitor Center, Kīlauea Iki, Thurston Lava Tube.

Distance

55 km

Duration

1 day

Best Season

Year-round

IconicEasyScenicEV-friendly

The most geological road on Earth, descending 1200m from Kīlauea's active summit caldera to the Pacific coast, past pit craters and still-smoking lava fields, ending where a previous flow swallowed the road whole and entered the sea.

Practical notes

Chain of Craters Road is paved but has no food, water, fuel, or reliable mobile service. Check the dated NPS conditions page immediately before travel: storm and volcanic closures changed repeatedly in March 2026, and every summit stop, including Uēkahuna, is conditional. Carry lunch and water and turn back at any signed closure.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park / Chain of Craters Road

One open Kīlauea summit viewpoint · Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs · Volcano House Restaurant

Stops along the route

Departure

Kīlauea Visitor Center

Orientation for the most active volcanic landscape on Earth. The Halemaʻumaʻu crater glows at night; the ground is warm underfoot on the caldera rim.

Hotels

Arrival

Holei Sea Arch

The road's end at sea level where the Pacific pounds lava cliffs. A natural basalt arch marks where later flows swallowed the road and entered the sea.

Hotels

Things to Do

Kīlauea Iki — Landmark — Chain of Craters Road — United States

Landmark
Kīlauea Iki
A side crater that erupted in 1959, sending lava fountains 580m high. The hardened lava lake floor is now a surreal walk across frozen black rock.

Thurston Lava Tube — Landmark — Chain of Craters Road — United States

Landmark
Thurston Lava Tube
A 500-year-old tunnel bored by a river of lava, its ceiling draped in ferns and roots. Walk through 200m of hollow volcanic rock into cool darkness.

Mauna Ulu Lava Fields — Landmark — Chain of Craters Road — United States

Landmark
Mauna Ulu Lava Fields
Eruptions from 1969 to 1974 buried 14km of the original road. The new road cuts across the frozen flow; the old asphalt lies metres below.

Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs — Landmark — Chain of Craters Road — United States

Landmark
Puʻu Loa Petroglyphs
23,000 images carved into pahoehoe lava, the largest petroglyph field in Hawaii. Ancient Hawaiians preserved newborns' umbilical cords in the rock hollows here.

Devastation Trail — Hike — Chain of Craters Road — United States

Hike
Devastation Trail
A short, paved trail through a landscape devastated by the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption, showcasing rapid ecological recovery.

Uēkahuna / Kīlauea Overlook — Viewpoint — Chain of Craters Road — United States

Viewpoint
Uēkahuna / Kīlauea Overlook
The current publicly accessible summit vantage near the former Jaggar Museum site, with sweeping views into Halemaʻumaʻu Crater and the collapsed caldera floor.

Show 1 more

Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) — Landmark — Chain of Craters Road — United States

Landmark
Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube)
A walk-through lava tube formed hundreds of years ago, surrounded by lush rainforest.

Where to Eat

Volcano packed lunch — Prearranged provisions — Chain of Craters Road — United States

Prearranged provisions
Volcano packed lunch
Carry food and water from Volcano because there are no services on Chain of Craters Road.

Volcano House Restaurant — American — Chain of Craters Road — United States

American
Volcano House Restaurant
Located within the park, this restaurant offers panoramic views of Kīlauea Caldera alongside a diverse menu.

Tuk-Tuk Thai Food Truck — Thai — Chain of Craters Road — United States

Thai
Tuk-Tuk Thai Food Truck
A popular food truck serving authentic Thai cuisine, perfect for a quick and flavorful meal.

Nearby and similar drives

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Chain of Craters Road drive?

The Chain of Craters Road covers 55 km from start to finish.

How long does the Chain of Craters Road take to drive?

Most travellers spend 1 day on the Chain of Craters Road, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Chain of Craters Road?

The recommended season for the Chain of Craters Road is Year-round.

Where does the Chain of Craters Road start and end?

The Chain of Craters Road runs from Kīlauea Visitor Center to Holei Sea Arch.

What are the main stops on the Chain of Craters Road?

The Chain of Craters Road passes through Kīlauea Visitor Center, Kīlauea Iki, Thurston Lava Tube.

How difficult is the Chain of Craters Road to drive?

The Chain of Craters Road is rated easy and is best handled with any vehicle.

Can I drive the Chain of Craters Road in a regular car?

Yes — the Chain of Craters Road is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Chain of Craters Road EV friendly?

Yes — the Chain of Craters Road has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Chain of Craters Road safe to drive?

What scenic tier is the Chain of Craters Road?

The Chain of Craters Road is a iconic drive — Iconic road trips that anchor a region's reputation — postcard scenery, headline highways, and the routes most travellers want to drive.