Rental-car planning

Colorado mountain driving: what visitors should know

How to pick the right car, feel more prepared for steep roads and check conditions before driving into Colorado’s high country.

6 minute readWritten by BookRentBuyUpdated July 2026Colorado travel guides
Breckenridge ski village and the surrounding mountains
Photo by Nick Rickert on Unsplash

Want help choosing the right vehicle first? Visit our complete Colorado car-rental page.

Choose tires before size

For winter travel, the tires and tread matter more than how rugged the car looks. Ask the rental company what tires are installed and whether the vehicle meets Colorado traction requirements.

All-wheel drive can help a vehicle move, but it does not shorten braking distance on ice. Drive for the conditions and increase following distance.

Understand mountain roads

Expect long climbs, steep descents, changing speed limits and weather that may differ sharply from Denver. Avoid riding the brakes continuously on a descent; select a lower gear and brake firmly in shorter intervals when needed.

Never pass on a blind curve, and use established pullouts rather than stopping in a travel lane for photographs.

Plan around I-70

The I-70 mountain corridor can have heavy weekend traffic, construction, crashes and winter restrictions. Give yourself extra time and avoid making a fixed reservation right after a mountain drive.

In winter, read the Passenger Vehicle Traction and Chain Laws before you choose a car or start the trip.

Carry a simple road kit

A small amount of preparation is valuable even on a short drive. Conditions and delays can change after you leave the city.

  • Water, snacks and warm layers
  • Phone charging cable and offline directions
  • Ice scraper and windshield fluid in winter
  • Flashlight and basic first-aid supplies