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Mount Washington Auto Road, White Mountains, New Hampshire
Photo: EgorovaSvetlana · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives New Hampshire New Hampshire's White Mountains and Lakes

Mount Washington Auto Road

Auto Road · Glen House → Mount Washington summit

Intense7.1 mi20 min4,500 ft climbHigh point ≈ 6,200 ftOne way
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The drive

The Mount Washington Auto Road begins on Route 16 in Pinkham Notch and climbs to the summit of Mount Washington, at 6,288 feet the highest peak in the Northeast. It is a private toll road that opened in 1861; the same family has owned and operated it since 1906. Its average grade is about 11.6 percent.

The road is open to private cars only in season, from late April, weekends only at first, to early November, and on any day it operates weather permitting. It ends at the Sherman Adams Building at the summit.

Along the way

  1. Glen House (toll road base)
  2. Mount Washington summit
Elevation
4,500 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 6,200 ft
Glen HouseMount Washington summit
Curves
Twisty most of the way
Glen HouseMount Washington summit
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Trailers, RVs, motorhomes, dual-wheeled vehicles, mopeds and bicycles are not permitted, and the maximum wheelbase is 176 inches and the maximum width is 93 inches.
  • Passenger and luggage weight matters on the descent: the Auto Road warns that an overweight vehicle can overheat its brakes. Jaguar, Saturn and Sterling automatics, and Honda and Acura models from 2009 and earlier, must show 1, L or S on the shifter.
  • From October 19 to November 1 the last car goes up at 4 p.m., and all vehicles must leave the summit within 45 minutes after closing.
  • There is a toll for private vehicles.

Open to private cars from late April (weekends at first) to November 1 in 2026, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Mount Washington Auto Road status.

Questions about this drive

When is the Mount Washington Auto Road open?

Drive-yourself traffic runs from late April to early November, weekends only at first, and the road always operates weather permitting.

Can I drive an RV up the Mount Washington Auto Road?

No. Trailers, RVs and motorhomes are not permitted, and vehicles with a wheelbase over 176 inches or a width over 93 inches are not allowed either.

How long does the Mount Washington Auto Road take?

The drive up the 7.1-mile route takes about 20 minutes and climbs about 4,500 feet.

Is the Mount Washington Auto Road a toll road?

Yes. It is a private toll road, and the toll house is at the base.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Road conditionsAPEXWet or dry, ice, fog and wind along the road before you go.
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More drives near here

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Mount Washington Auto Road, from Glen House to Mount Washington summit