Mt. Washington Auto Road
4.8(4.5K)google
4.2(161)yelp
Road TripScenic LookoutFamilyOutdoorPhotography SpotThrillingMust-SeeMountain
Overview
The Mount Washington Auto Road—originally the Mount Washington Carriage Road—is a 7.6 mi (12.2 km) private toll road in southern Coos County, New Hampshire that extends from New Hampshire Route 16 in Green's Grant, just north of Pinkham Notch, westward across Pinkham's Grant and Thompson and Meserve's Purchase to the summit of Mount Washington in the White Mountains of the US state of New Hampshire. The road climbs 4,618 ft (1,408 m) from an altitude of 1,527 ft (465 m) at the bottom to 6,145 ft (1,873 m) at the top, an average gradient of 11.6%. The road was completed and opened to the public in 1861.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeStrictly seasonal from mid-May to mid-October (Note: High-alpine weather is notoriously volatile; the road closes instantly during high winds or snow, check online status before setting off). Opt strictly for the morning's first 8:00 AM gate opening; this window offers peak clear visibility and stunning undercast cloud seas along the 7.6-mile climb.
Getting ThereSituated in Pinkham Notch south of Gorham at 1 Railroad Avenue. No public transit; you must drive a capable vehicle or book the official guided van tours. From I-93, take Exit 35 for US-3 N, transition onto NH-115 N, merge onto US-2 E to Gorham, and head south on NH-16 S for 8 miles straight into the toll tollhouse gate plaza.
Travel Tips
- Strict vehicle bans apply to trailers, dual-rear-wheel trucks, and RVs; downshifts to 1st gear are mandatory to prevent fatal brake fade on the relentless descent.
- The 7.6-mile road has no guardrails and steep 12% grades; though fully paved, anxious drivers should opt for guided SnowCoach tours to bypass severe drop-offs.
- The auto road fully closes to public cars until 16:00 during annual bike races and designated ATV days; verify daily status updates via official social media before departure.
Reviews
Positive
- Driving this road is a thrilling and spectacular experience, with stunning changes in vegetation and panoramic views as you ascend.
- The complementary audio tour provided at the entrance is excellent, detailing the history and geography, which helps ease driving nerves.
- Successfully navigating the steep, winding road earns you the iconic bumper sticker, which serves as a proud and classic souvenir.
- The historic toll road is quite well-maintained and features multiple scenic pull-offs for visitors to stop safely and take photos.
Heads up
- The road is incredibly narrow, steep, and mostly lacks guardrails, with some unpaved sections that test both driving skills and nerve.
- The toll price is very high; they charge not just for the vehicle but an additional fee for every passenger, which feels overpriced.
- Brakes overheat severely on the descent, requiring frequent stops at pull-offs to cool down, causing some nerve-wracking moments.
- It is strongly discouraged for drivers who fear heights, lack mountain driving experience, or have underpowered vehicles due to safety risks.