Highway 200

Information about Highway 200, a highway on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Highway 200 is commonly known as "Saddle Road" because it crosses the center of Hawaii Island in the "saddle" between the Mauna Loa Volcano and the Mauna Kea Volcano. It was originally constructed in 1942 to provide the U.S. Army with access to their military training facilities in the island's interior.

For many years the Saddle Road was considered unsafe and difficult to drive because it was not well-maintained and had many one lane bridges. Most rental car agencies prohibited driving their cars on Highway 200. The state of Hawaii has been gradually improving the belt road since 1992 with the goal of eventually upgrading it to State Highway status.

Highway 200 is the longest segment of the shortest route between the island's two largest towns, Hilo on the east coast and Kailua-Kona on the west coast.

Facts About Highway 200
ALSO KNOW AS: Saddle Road
LENGTH: About 53 miles
MAXIMUM ELEVATION: About 6,630 feet above sea level
NORTHWEST TERMINUS: State Route 190 south of Waimea
SOUTHEAST TERMINUS: State Route 19 within Hilo

Attractions on Highway 200
- Mauna Kea County Recreation Area
- Mauna Kea Coounty Recreation Area Playground
- Pohakuloa Military Training Area
- Bradshaw Army Airfield
- Puukeekee Game Management Area
- Mauna Kea Access Road
- Kaohe Game Management Area
- Pohakuloa Game Management Area
- Puukeekee Game Management Area
- Kaohe Restoration Area

Resources

Wikipedia "Hawaii Route 200" Article

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Transportation on the Big Island

Hawaii Island Travel Guide

Other Islands of Hawaii

Hawaii for Visitors

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