Even though we can’t take a traditional road trip like our friends on the mainland, the Hawaiian Islands are home to several incredible scenic drives just waiting to be explored — and we can almost guarantee that our views are better. While we love Maui’s Hana Highway as much as the next person, today we’re taking you on a unique adventure back in time along one of the oldest roads in Hawaii.
Meandering around most of Hawaii Island, the Hawaii Belt Road is not only one of the state’s oldest roads but easily one of the longest as well, measuring in at approximately 150 miles.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Encircling the Island of Hawaii, it’s easy to see why this highway is known as the Hawaii Belt Road.
Rosa Say/Flickr
A modern name for the Mamalahoa Highway, the Hawaii Belt Road consists of Hawaii Route 11 between Hilo and Kailua-Kona, Route 19 between Hilo and Waimea, and a split route between Waimea and Kailua Kona (the original “mauka” Route 190 and the “makai” Route 19 road).
Ken Lund/Flickr
During your journey around Hawaii Island, you will drive through lush rainforests full of tropical plants…
rjcox/Flickr
…and along the Hawaiian coast, with views of the vibrant blue Pacific in your windshield.
Les Williams/Flickr
The Mamalahoa Trail was built as a foot trail in the nineteenth century, and has since developed into the highway we know today.
Steve Boland/Flickr
Various sections of the highway have been widened and re-aligned throughout the years, and much of the Hawaii Belt Road through North Hilo and the Hamakua area was built on the roadbed and bridges of the Hawaii Consolidated Railway as part of the recovery from the 1946 tsunami that ravaged the landscape.
Robert Linsdell/Flickr
Though the names “Hawaii Belt Road” and “Mamalahoa Highway” refer to the road system that encircles the Big Island, many sections of the road are known by their local names.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Whether you’re interested in history, breathtaking landscapes, or adventure, you’re sure to find it along the Hawaii Belt Road. This highway is easily the longest — and greatest — road trip you can take in the Aloha State, and it should be on everyone’s bucket list.
David Baron/Flickr
Have you ever driven around the Big Island on Mamalahoa Highway? Did you know that it is one of the state’s oldest roads? For a detailed account of which stretches of road are considered part of the Hawaii Belt Road, click here.
Ken Lund/Flickr
Rosa Say/Flickr
rjcox/Flickr
Les Williams/Flickr
Steve Boland/Flickr
Robert Linsdell/Flickr
David Baron/Flickr
If you’re short on time, consider instead driving along the breathtaking Kohala Mountain Road. Not local to Hawaii Island? Consider embarking on a drive down any of these scenic backroads instead.
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