Day trip to Volcano National Park?
 

Aloha!

I wonder if I could fit a day-trip from Maui to Volcano National Park on The Big Island into my upcoming Hawaii vacation.

The schedule would be to arrive in Hilo around 10am, rent a car, visit the park then return back to the airport in order to catch the 7:20pm flight

What do the experienced Hawaii travelers think: Would we have enough time in the park to make it worth this effort?

Thanks!

Its possible although it can take a while to get the rental car at the airport.

Note that the volcano resumed eruption today!

Expect extra traffic and parking issues.

https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvis...on-viewing.htm

"The schedule would be to arrive in Hilo around 10am, rent a car, visit the park then return back to the airport in order to catch the 7:20pm flight"
Arrive from where and catch the flight back to where?

Thanks! Evidently I'm still sleepy.
I asked because we did it as an overnight trip from the other side of the Big Island.
Anyway, if you can make the flights to/from Maui work, I'd definitely add it in. Even better if you could make it an overnight trip.

If you have flexibility as to your flights and hotels, I agree it may be a good idea to overnight in Hilo so that you can see the glow at night, now that we know it's erupting. Or can you fly one way into or out of ITO?

Some stay in Volcano but for a morning flight I would stay in Hilo to be close to the airport. You can get a flight as early as 6am going back to OGG (Maui).
I would recommend going during mid week if possible.

Come back if that's an option you want to consider.

I wouldn't if you are just arriving at 10AM, and have to be back at the airport by 5:30 (plus take time to collect & return rental car). Are you flying from Maui, then back to Maui? When you arrive or leave Maui, are you flying out of Honolulu? In that case, I would go to big Island on either your first or last day in Hawaii, then spend the night there before/after Maui. You really get the best volcano viewing if you can be there in the evening.