Guides

Updated October 13, 2026 · 5 min read

Are Chains Required on Snoqualmie Pass?

In this guide

Short answer: Only when WSDOT posts it. At "Traction tires advised," chains aren't required. At "Traction tires required," cars without approved traction tires chain up. At "Tire chains required," front- and rear-wheel-drive cars chain up; AWD and 4WD cars may continue with approved traction tires, all wheels engaged and chains carried. At "Chains required on all vehicles," everyone chains up.

Chains don't come with our cars: add the paid Snow chains Extra on Turo or bring your own. Driving from Seattle to Snoqualmie, Stevens Pass or another Washington pass this winter? The confusing part usually isn't the snow. It's the signs, especially the one that requires chains but makes an exception for all-wheel drive. That exception comes with conditions. Here's what each WSDOT stage means, what an AWD car still needs, and how to get chains with one of our rentals.

The four WSDOT stages on Snoqualmie Pass

WSDOT posts the current requirement for I-90 on its Snoqualmie Pass report. It traditionally reports conditions there from November 1 to April 1, and posts updates outside those dates when weather affects travel. There are four stages, from mildest to strictest:

  • Traction tires advised. Traction tires are recommended for every passenger vehicle, AWD and 4WD included, but not required to proceed.
  • Traction tires required. Every passenger vehicle under 10,000 pounds needs approved traction tires. Without them, you must put on chains or an approved chain alternative.
  • Tire chains required. Front- and rear-wheel-drive cars must chain up. AWD and 4WD cars may continue without chains only if approved traction tires are installed, all wheels are engaged, and chains are carried in the car in case conditions worsen.
  • Chains required on all vehicles. Every vehicle chains up, AWD and 4WD included. WSDOT calls this "often the last step before a pass is closed."

Requirements can tighten as conditions worsen, so check the Snoqualmie Pass I-90 report the morning you drive and again before you head home.

Do AWD cars need chains?

To drive past a "chains required" sign without chaining up, yes: the chains have to be in the car. Washington's chain rule (WAC 204-24-050) exempts an all-wheel-drive vehicle from chaining up at that sign only when all wheels are in gear, it has approved traction tires (studded tires also count), and chains for at least one set of drive tires are carried in the vehicle. No chains on board, no exemption. And once chains are required on all vehicles, AWD and 4WD cars chain up too.

A few details worth knowing:

  • Approved traction tires. Washington's definition (WAC 204-24-040) includes, among other tread requirements, at least 4/32 inch of tread, a tread pattern built for snow and ice, and an M+S ("mud and snow") or mountain/snowflake marking on the sidewall.
  • Which tires to chain. Front-wheel-drive cars chain the front two tires and rear-wheel-drive cars the rear two. AWD and 4WD cars chain at least one set of two tires, both front or both rear; WSDOT suggests checking the owner's manual for the specifics.
  • Part-time 4WD. If the car has a four-wheel-drive mode you switch on, WSDOT requires all wheels to be engaged.
  • Studded tires. They're legal in Washington only from November 1 to March 31, and they don't count as chains.
  • Carmakers that discourage chains. Washington's chain rules still apply. The Washington State Patrol approves some chain alternatives (see WSDOT's tires and chains page), and the National Park Service notes that Subaru, one maker that cautions against traditional metal chains, sells cable chains made for its vehicles.
  • Heavier vehicles. The AWD exemption is for passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating. WSDOT says vehicles over that, which can include large SUVs, must carry chains over any Washington mountain pass from November 1 to March 31, even when no chain rule is posted. On I-90 between North Bend and Ellensburg, state law (WAC 204-24-050) requires it from November 1 to April 1.

Heading to Mount Rainier? The park sets its own, stricter rule: from November 1 to May 1, every vehicle in the park must carry tire chains or an approved alternative, AWD and 4WD included, whatever the weather (National Park Service). Our Mount Rainier day trip guide covers the drive to Paradise and the winter gate.

Getting chains with one of our cars

Chains don't come with our cars. As of October 2026, every car we recommend below offers a paid Snow chains Extra on its Turo listing. Add it when you book and chains come with your trip. Skip it and the car has no chains, so bring your own set that fits its tires. Extras can change, so look for Snow chains in the Extras section of the listing before you book.

Whichever chains you use, take the Park Service's advice: check that they fit before you need them, and practice putting them on once somewhere dry.

Want to know which tires are on a car before you book? Text (206) 941-0717 or email info@tenetmotors.com.

AWD and 4WD cars for the pass

Cars mentioned in this guide

Every car below is listed as AWD or 4WD and offers the Snow chains Extra.

Prefer to filter? See every AWD and 4WD car on one page.

Before you leave Seattle

  • Check WSDOT's Snoqualmie Pass I-90 report the morning you drive, and again before you head home.
  • Add the Snow chains Extra when you book, or pack your own set that fits.
  • Check the tires for M+S or the mountain/snowflake symbol and at least 4/32 inch of tread, and switch on 4WD if the car has a selector.
  • Fill up or charge in Seattle before you leave, and expect less EV range in the cold.
  • Give yourself extra time. Pass driving rewards patience.

Skiing this winter? Our Seattle ski trip guide covers drive times and parking for the Summit at Snoqualmie, Stevens Pass and Crystal Mountain, and our Leavenworth winter guide covers the drive over Stevens Pass. When you're ready, browse every AWD and 4WD car, pick the exact car you'll drive, and book your dates on Turo.

Sources

Browse AWD and 4WD cars →
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