A long drive through a mountain pass can be both majestic and intimidating. Here are the tips you need for your tour through those peaks and valleys.

Your Mountain Driving Checklist

Camper driving through the mountains
Camper driving through the mountains

Have you found yourself planning a road trip over the summer, but realized that a mountain range is standing between you and your desired destination? Or maybe you are moving across the country in a loaded vehicle, ready to start the next chapter of your life?

If you’re used to the flatlands of Florida or the plains of the Midwest, driving through the Rockies or Smokies can be a little intimidating. It’s doable though. People travel those routes every day, whether in a Suzuki SX4 Sport or Peterbilt that is hauling a full load of goods. There are some things to keep in mind when traveling through that kind of terrain, though. We’ve come up with a list that should help you along your route.

Mountain road
Mountain road

Before we get to the items on the list, there are a couple of steps to take before hitting the road. Get a tune-up before your trip. It’s also smart to have some supplies ready. Chances are the trip will be uneventful, but food and water are good to pack for any long-distance trip. Reflective gear and a phone charger are two other items on our list of 7 Things You Need in Your Car. Now, onto our full mountain driving recommendations.

Fill Gas to the Top & Often

Fuel gauge
Fuel gauge

If you’re in a vehicle with a combustion engine, fill up as much as you can. That means filling the tank until it’s full, and filling whenever you get the chance. Climbing mountains in any kind of vehicle can use up a lot of gas. The fuel line can drop very suddenly because of the amount of power needed to make it up a mountain. If you have an all-electric vehicle (EV), like a Tesla, then you’ll want to do the same with charging stations. Map out where they are and how long the charge will last between your destinations. Colorado is one state that has already electrified many of the scenic byways that nature lovers frequent.

Be Ready for Changing Weather

Road through snowy mountains
Road through snowy mountains

It’s always good to be aware of the weather before traveling by air, by sea, or by land. It’s important to pay particular attention to weather conditions when venturing into the mountains. Unpaved paths become significantly more dangerous in heavy rain. In those conditions, slow down, increase your observance, and take curves at a wider angle than you’d take them on paved roads.

Even more than that, though, it’s important to know that weather can change very quickly because of the higher altitude. A sunny day and blue skies can transform into fog, wind, rain, and snow with very little notice. Also, even if the road is dry at the base of the mountain, slick or snowy roads may be waiting for you the further you climb. If you do run into inclement weather, take a look at our published list of The Best Windshield Wipers. They’ll keep your windshield clear.

Be on the Lookout

Curvy road
Curvy road

Keep your eyes active, scanning the roadway ahead of you. Use mirrors to check the traffic behind you. This is another normal rule of the road, but driving at fast speeds on narrow roads in high elevations, it’s something to practice even more faithfully. Falling rocks, animals, and blown-out tires can appear out of nowhere when coming around a corner quickly or going over the peak of an incline.

Of equal importance are the signs. Whether you’re looking at them on the side of the roadway or as they appear on your Head-Up display, the signs will show when a passing lane, a steep grade incline, or a sharp curve is ahead.

Stay on Your Side of the Road

Driving in the correct lane
Driving in the correct lane

People driving on city roads with just two lanes know the importance of not hugging the double center line. It’s equally important when going through a mountain pass. Mountain lanes are typically more narrow than regular roads. A center-hugging vehicle can cause issues for both vehicles when there is an oncoming vehicle around a curve.

Give Right of Way to the Uphill Vehicle

Narrow mountain road
Narrow mountain road

When two cars are using the same narrow lane around a mountain, the vehicle going downhill should yield to the car going uphill. To do so, the vehicle going downhill would reverse and pull carefully off to the side of the road long enough for the oncoming vehicle to pass. The reason being that it’s more difficult for a car going uphill to reverse, stop, and get enough momentum to get going up the mountain again.

Brake Before the Turns

Sharp turn in the road
Sharp turn in the road

Don’t brake in the turn. Instead, brake before the turn. Why? It’s the same concept that a NASCAR driver uses in some of their races. When braking too hard in the turn, the momentum of the vehicle changes by shifting forward, making it harder to keep it stable. The general rule is to reduce speed before the turn, let off the brakes before turning into the corner, and then apply slight brake pressure as needed.

Don’t Ride Your Brakes

2022 Ford F-150 Tow/Haul Mode - ford.com
2022 Ford F-150 Tow/Haul Mode - ford.com

Although it can be tempting, continuously pressing the brake pedal down a mountain can cause the brakes to overheat. The hotter they get, the less effective they are. Instead, allow the vehicle to pick up speed, to a point, and then brake. Then, again, allow the vehicle to pick up speed until you brake again. Try to remember it this way: it’s not good to go down a mountain faster than you can go up it. If you’ve done a check of your car before the trip and know that your brakes need to be changed, you may be able to do it yourself. Read ‘How to Change Your Car’s Brakes’ to learn more about that process.

If you’re towing something, use the Tow/Haul mode. Newer Chevrolet Silverado 3500 and Toyota Tundra models are just some of those that have this feature. With the touch of a button, the vehicle holds lower gears longer and avoids excess gear shifts when towing. Engine braking is upgraded in the process. Before you hook the Airstream or trailer up, read this explanation: Hauling a Trailer 101.

Downshift When Things Get Steep

Steep decline in road
Steep decline in road

Anytime there’s an extreme decline, it’s best to downshift your vehicle in one with a manual transmission. Shifting into a lower gear helps maintain a constant speed. With an automatic transmission, you may not need to downshift when going down a steep decline. It is called automatic for a reason. Let the transmission automatically do its job. The best time, with an automatic transmission, to downshift (into ‘D’ or ‘L’) is when your vehicle is stuck on a muddy trail or in a snowbank. Remember, though: don’t downshift as you’re going down the hill. You’ll need to monitor the signs to plan ahead. Downshift before starting the decline. Also, be sure to downshift just one gear at a time.

Watch Your Temperature Gauge

Temperature gauge
Temperature gauge

What if you have an EV, like a 2022 Nissan Leaf? A lot of the same practices can be applied when using an EV. The range can shift, as the battery power is eaten up by inclines and cold weather, so you can conserve battery power by turning the A/C off and rolling down the windows. Tesla says regenerative braking, or going downhill, can help partially recharge the battery. The energy used is converted to electricity and then stored in the battery. It won’t charge the battery up entirely by any means, but every little bit helps.

It’s always a good idea to keep track of all the readings on your instrument gauge, whether it’s tire pressure or fuel level. The engine temperature gauge, however, is especially important for any drive through the mountains. It’s even more important on a warm summer day. The last thing you want is a Ford F-150 hauling a trailer, or a Ram 1500 hauling a camper, overheating and stalling while you’re trying to make it up an intense incline. If it’s going over the normal level, turn the air conditioning off, roll the windows down, let up on the gas pedal, and consider pulling over somewhere safe to give the engine time to cool.

Utilize Your Navigator

Navigation system
Navigation system

Whether your navigator is a computerized system already installed in your vehicle, a voice coming from an app on your cell phone, or a passenger, use it to your advantage. Going up, down, and around mountains is not the time to be taking your eyes off the road to look at printed maps or trying to figure out how many more miles there are until the next stop or where the next charging station is. Keep the paper maps handy, though. If the cell or satellite signal goes out, you may need to pull over and use the old-school method of navigation. Take a look at our How-To on Car Phone Mounts before your trip to help get you situated.

Enjoy Your Trip!

Driving through the mountains
Driving through the mountains

I’ve made several road trips across multiple states. Each time I make one, I’m reminded of how incredible it is to see the landscape change, sometimes gradually and sometimes instantaneously after crossing a state line. From flat land to mountain peaks just like that. There are some majestic views to be had.

Driving across the country, particularly through the mountains, can be stressful, but it’s also a lot of fun. Plan ahead and practice the driving habits mentioned above, but don’t forget to take in the whole experience. Use those overlooks and pull over spots to take in the awesome views. That’s what they’re there for!

Related How To Articles

Best Snow Tires for SUVs 

Finding Your Next SUV on Carsforsale.com

Upside Down on a Car Loan? Here is what to do

Tags:
Jesse Batson

Jesse Batson earned his journalism degree from South Dakota State University. No stranger to newsgathering and reporting, Jesse spent 13 years in TV news. 10 of those years were spent working in Charlotte, NC, home of NASCAR. A highlight of his time there was being able to take a lap around the Charlotte Motor Speedway. His interest in vehicles, starting with Matchbox cars, a Big Wheel, and the Transformers, evolved into taking photos of motocross events. Now, he puts his research skills to use on car culture, reviews, and comparisons.

  • 1

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *