Mount Mansfield Auto Toll Road
Vermont's highest drivable peak.
Built in 1870, the Mount Mansfield Auto Toll Road is a 4.5-mile climb to Vermont’s highest summit at 4,393 feet. The narrow, winding dirt road gains 2,500 feet of elevation as it switchbacks through dense hardwood forest before breaking into alpine tundra near the summit ridge. The Nose—the mountain’s distinctive profile feature—looms overhead as you navigate tight turns with steep drop-offs into Smugglers’ Notch below.
This is a moderate trail requiring careful attention to weather conditions. The road closes from November through May due to snow, and afternoon thunderstorms can make the exposed summit dangerous. Any vehicle with good brakes and decent ground clearance can make the climb, but the descent tests your brake fade management. The $28 toll gets you access to hiking trails, summit views across four states, and bragging rights for driving Vermont’s highest motor road.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 4.5 mi / 7.2 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4393 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock vehicle with good brakes |
| Nearest town | Stowe, VT |
| Land manager | Private (Mount Mansfield Company) |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Good |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | mountmansfield.com |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock SUV or car handle the Mount Mansfield Toll Road, or do I need a lifted rig?
Stock vehicles are fine — the road is listed as high clearance but a standard SUV, crossover, or even a car with decent ground clearance can make it. Strong brakes matter more than suspension lift on the steep descent.
When does the toll road open and close each season?
The road is typically open late May through mid-October, weather and conditions permitting. Snow can close it early or delay opening — check directly with the Mount Mansfield Company before you go, especially in May or October.
Is there a fee to drive the toll road, and do I need a permit in advance?
Yes, it's a paid toll road operated by the Mount Mansfield Company — not a free public forest road. Pay at the gatehouse at the bottom; no advance reservation is typically required, but hours are limited so don't show up late in the day.
What's the hardest section of the road and what should I actually expect?
The upper portion above treeline gets narrow, rutted, and exposed with significant grade — this is where your brakes earn their keep on the way down. It's not technically gnarly, but the combination of steep pitch, loose dirt, and drop-offs on a 4.5-mile climb demands attention and low gear.
Is there anywhere to camp at or near the summit, or is this strictly a day-use drive?
The toll road itself is day-use only — no camping at the summit. For overnight options, dispersed camping is available in the Green Mountain National Forest nearby, and Stowe has established campgrounds a short drive away.
Trail track
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