Mount Washington Auto Road
The East's great seasonal climb, privately run since 1861, to the summit that brags about the worst weather in America. The season targets mid-May to late October, and on any given morning the summit forecast decides how far up you get.
This year
Live plow-season reports load here. For today's conditions, go straight to the Auto Road's status page.
Conditions change by the hour at 6,288 feet — check the Auto Road's status page before you drive.
The record
Opens for the season in mid-May, weather permitting — often to below-treeline turnaround points first.
We're still putting this road's year-by-year record together from the Auto Road archives — it will appear here as it's confirmed. In the meantime, the Auto Road's page has current conditions.
When does Mount Washington Auto Road close?
Closes for the season in late October. The winter closure covers the full 7.6-mile climb from Pinkham Notch to the summit.
We don't have this road's year-by-year closing dates yet — they'll appear here as the Auto Road's notices are worked through. Until then, the Auto Road's own page has the state of the gate.
Mount Washington Auto Road: opening and closing questions
- When does Mount Washington Auto Road close for the winter?
- Closes for the season in late October. The winter closure covers the full 7.6-mile climb from Pinkham Notch to the summit.
- Can you drive Mount Washington Auto Road in winter?
- No. The full 7.6-mile climb from Pinkham Notch to the summit is gated once the season ends, and it stays shut until spring plowing gets through. the Auto Road posts the gate's current state.
- Is Mount Washington Auto Road open right now?
- This page is the season record, not the road's condition this morning. Mount Washington Auto Road (private) publishes today's state of the road, and that is the one to check before you drive — conditions turn over in hours at this elevation.
- When does Mount Washington Auto Road open again?
- Opens for the season in mid-May, weather permitting — often to below-treeline turnaround points first.