Southern or Eeastern Drive from Volcanoes to Kona Side?
 

Staying one night at Kiluea Lodge at VNP. Then will drive over to Kona later in the day, just for one night before we transfer to the Mauna Kea. We can stay at the Sheraton in Kona (Southern route) or the Marriott in Waikaloa (North East route) for the same price. Distance is equal to either! Any suggestions on which route is more scenic?

thx

I like waikola area a lot. Much prettier. I'd go with Marriott.

I think southern route is more scenic but the northern (or even the saddle road) is much faster.

Southern route is the truck route. Very pretty drive up the Hamakua Coast (waterfalls along the road), then interesting transition from 'wet side' to 'dry side' at Waimea. Would you have time for Waipio Valley -- at least the overlook? Only reason to stay in (tourist-tacky) Kona would be if you wanted to dip down to see Place of Refuge. Kohala Coast is almost always less vog-y.

Thanks-looks like travel time is close. We will end up in Kohala/ Waikaloa for the rest of our stay, but just doing one night after a long day at VNP.