Can anyone tell me how long it would take now a day's to drive from Kona to Hilo going around the South Point way? My understanding is that one cannot go
around via the northern side (i.e. through the horse shoes) because it's been blocked off from the lava flow. Is this still the case or did I maybe misunderstand?

Normally I'd take the Saddle Road, but I'll be in a rental car and I believe the rental car companies don't allow you to take their cars on the Saddle Road.
(which to me is stupid, because as I recall its a perfectly fine road, just a little curvy in spots)

It's been forever since I've done this drive (since before the road to Kona was improved) so I have no way of judging now. My guess is about 4 - 5 hours
but I wanted to double check to see if anyone has current info.

Thanks!

You can go both North or South. It's 100 miles going North and 120 miles going South. If you don't stop anywhere it would take about 2 1/2 hours going North and 3 hours going South.

Hmm it takes about 3 hours.
We made a few stops so it has been taken about 5 hours... but with the stop.

I think 2 1-72 or 3 hours is right...

Hope I can help

We just made our first Costco run from Hilo to Kona and back. Hilo to Waimea via Saddle Road and stopped at Hawaiian Style Cafe for breakfast. Then on to Costco and back to Mountain View via the belt road through Ka'u. We stopped and looked at our house in Ocean View. It was about 3 hours of driving total.