OneCall Rental blog · 1 November 2026
What are the best winter road trips in the US?
The short answer
Five of the best are Aspen in Colorado, Yellowstone in Wyoming and Montana, Lake Tahoe, Jackson Hole in Wyoming and Stowe in Vermont. Each is a great winter trip, but each also has a road that closes or gets tough in winter. Check those before you book your car, and ask for all-wheel drive if you can.
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Key takeaways
- Independence Pass into Aspen closes in winter. Drive in through Glenwood Springs.
- In winter, most Yellowstone roads close to cars. Only the road from Gardiner to Cooke City stays open.
- Chain controls are common around Lake Tahoe, and many rental agreements don't allow chains.
- Smugglers' Notch on Route 108 near Stowe closes in winter.
Aspen, Colorado: how do you drive there in winter?
Aspen has four ski mountains: Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass. It also has a lively town with the Aspen Art Museum and the historic Wheeler Opera House.
The road to know: Independence Pass (Highway 82 from the east) closes for the winter. From Denver, take I-70 west to Glenwood Springs, then Highway 82 south. Colorado's traction law can apply on I-70 in the mountains during storms, so an all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive car is the safer choice.
Yellowstone: can you drive through the park in winter?
Only partly. In winter, most park roads close to regular cars. The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through Mammoth Hot Springs and the Lamar Valley to Cooke City stays open. That's the best wildlife drive in the park, with a good chance of seeing bison, elk and sometimes wolves.
To reach Old Faithful and the geysers in winter, you join a guided snowcoach or snowmobile tour. Fly into Bozeman, rent there, and drive to Gardiner.
Lake Tahoe: what should you know about winter driving?
Tahoe sits on the California and Nevada border, with ski resorts such as Heavenly, Palisades Tahoe and Northstar. The drive around the lake is beautiful on a clear winter day.
The road to know: chain controls are common on I-80 and US-50 in storms. Many rental agreements don't allow chains, so check yours. A 4WD or AWD vehicle with suitable tires is often allowed through when chain controls are in force. Check the state road conditions before you set off, and be ready to wait out a storm.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming: what's special in winter?
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is famous for steep terrain. The National Elk Refuge, right next to town, runs sleigh rides through thousands of wintering elk. Grand Teton National Park is quiet and stunning under snow, though some of its roads close.
The road to know: Teton Pass, between Jackson and Idaho, is steep and can close in storms. Fly into Jackson Hole Airport if you can, to skip the pass.
Stowe, Vermont: why go in winter?
Stowe is classic New England: a village of inns and shops, Stowe Mountain Resort, and a winter carnival in January.
The road to know: Route 108 through Smugglers' Notch closes in winter. Reach Stowe from I-89 through Waterbury instead. Fly into Burlington, about 45 minutes away.
Which rental car is best for a winter road trip?
An SUV class gives you more ground clearance and room for ski gear. Rental companies usually book by class, not drivetrain, so ask at the counter for an AWD or 4WD vehicle and check what you get before you leave. Read how to drive a rental car on snow and ice before you go.
How OneCall helps with a winter road trip
Your agent can check which airport and company give you the best chance of an AWD car, whether your agreement allows chains, and what a one-way drop would cost if you fly home from a different airport. If the weather strands you and you need to extend, call us and we'll handle it with the rental company. Advice is free, and if anything costs money, you hear the price first.
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Questions people ask
Is Independence Pass open in winter?
No. It closes for the winter season. Reach Aspen from I-70 through Glenwood Springs.
Can I drive to Old Faithful in winter?
Not in your own or a rental car. The roads close to cars, and you need a guided snowcoach or snowmobile tour.
Can I use snow chains on my rental car?
Many rental agreements don't allow them. Check yours before driving into chain-control areas.
Related help
- How do you drive a rental car safely on snow and ice?
- Den airport rental cars
- Standard suv rental
- Breakdown or accident in a rental car
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