Stowe Mountain Auto Toll Road
Stowe Mountain Auto Toll Road
4.5
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
16 within 5 kms
Attractions
36 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
286 reviews
Excellent
182
Very good
70
Average
20
Poor
9
Terrible
5
Giordano & Lorraine
Marshfield, VT2 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
I went more than once. They have a rule: "give the right of way to the cars that are driving downhill". Wrong! Those that are driving downhill can easily stop and then move on. Those that are driving uphill have to stop, and then those that are not accustomed to drive on a mountain road have a heck of a time to restart the climb, particularly when one has another car right behind. I do not understand the logic nor the reason for such a rule. Everywhere else in the world the cars that are climbing have the right of way.
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J&B
DC26 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
The drive isn't nearly as scenic as the view from the top! Don't skip the hike - well worth it. If you don't have 4WD this drive may be challenging but still doable.
Written 27 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
xbellaperla
Terrebonne, Canada256 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
It's $26 for the driver and car and $9.5 per passenger. The length of the toll road is 4.5 miles. Elevation from the summit is 1340 m. You can hike at the top. I liked the Long Trail South. There are stunning views of Lake Champlain and Adirondacks Mountains. When I visited it was in June.
Written 5 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristi E
Bowie, MD82 contributions
Oct 2022
AWESOME views!!! The drive up & down are a little "white Knuckle", but as long as you take your time you'll do fine! The 'short' hike to the area has planks to walk on, most of the way. Once you get to the top the views are stunning on all sides of ya!! Well worth the price! Would recommend this to everyone!!!
Written 25 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William G
Tavernier, FL76 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
As many have said before, the price is a little steep, but after getting to top parking lot and taking about a 15 minute hike, there are a few open areas where you have some amazing views. We were about 4000 get up (you could go higher, but it was very wet that day and very rocky to climb) and the wind was really ripping.
The drive up was a little scary at times but there several spots where you could stop for pics or, if you wanted, park and hike up the rest of the way which was fairly steep and windy. Only 36 spots to park at the top, so you may have to wait until cars come down before they let you go up.
Was well worth it for the view and the photos we got.
The drive up was a little scary at times but there several spots where you could stop for pics or, if you wanted, park and hike up the rest of the way which was fairly steep and windy. Only 36 spots to park at the top, so you may have to wait until cars come down before they let you go up.
Was well worth it for the view and the photos we got.
Written 22 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravlVT
Stowe, VT52 contributions
Oct 2022
Let me lead by saying if your car is at all wonky, skip this drive. The staff at the bottom of the trip where you buy the tickets are guilty of the biggest understatement of the decade when they warn of "unimproved dirt road" most of the 4 mile trip. More like slightly better than a donkey path in spots and sketchy to mildly puckering elsewhere. That only holds for the top maybe 1/4 of the trip, the rest is fine. After saying that, wow. What a drive and view. Dress warmer than you think you should because the wind is pretty much ripping at the top 365 days a year and even in the summer it's not delightful. The real vista is about a 10 to 15 minute hike from the top parking lot on a little path, crazy view of Champlain and the entire western part of VT. Not a lazy afternoon trip but 100% worth the drive.
Written 3 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stumatter
Peoria, IL48 contributions
Aug 2022
Short drive up to the trail head with a nice hiking path. One short and One Longer harder route. The Fee is a little high to access but a nice way to spend a couple hours.
Written 18 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matthew C
10 contributions
Jul 2022
this is a great way to see it all, the views (360) are breather taking and this is a must at least once. I wish they had an annual pass or the fee was a bit cheaper but this does not stop me from making the trip up the mountain at least once a year every year.
Written 17 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Parker
1 contribution
Jun 2022
What an absolutely harrowing experience. We were told at the base of the road that it would turn into a dirt road at some point, but we were assured that there were plenty of areas on the way up the mountain where you could turn around if you want. Well, that's a lie. There is absolutely nowhere to turn around at all until you're about 85% of the way up the mountain. The road isnt just dirt, but also loose gravel, with huge ditches on either side, at angles that feel like 45 degrees, switching back on itself and zigzagging up the whole way. It was absolutely terrifying. I was white knuckling the steering wheel the entire way, feeling like my car was gonna slip backwards or something.
And there's NOWHERE to turn around, so if you (rightly) start to feel, "This is insane", theres nothing you can do about it until you're almost at the top. My partner and I got out at the top but the wind was so outrageous we couldn't keep our eyes open. We took a couple pictures and then came down. Fortunately the descent is much easier, for some reason.
SKIP THIS. Unless you're an extreme adrenaline junkie that gets off having close scrapes with death, PASS. It's not worth it, and it's absolutely terrifying.
And there's NOWHERE to turn around, so if you (rightly) start to feel, "This is insane", theres nothing you can do about it until you're almost at the top. My partner and I got out at the top but the wind was so outrageous we couldn't keep our eyes open. We took a couple pictures and then came down. Fortunately the descent is much easier, for some reason.
SKIP THIS. Unless you're an extreme adrenaline junkie that gets off having close scrapes with death, PASS. It's not worth it, and it's absolutely terrifying.
Written 23 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Natallia39
Safety Harbor, FL1 contribution
Jun 2022 • Family
Easy drive. Your drive on a green ski slope all the way up surrounded by woods. It’s not scary or dangerous at all!! The price is 29$ for car and a driver, passengers 11$. Kids under 4 are free. Pricy! There are no picnic tables at the top . The hike at the top to the chin is 1.4 miles one way . The first part is easy. We did it with a 5 month old. When we got to the big rocks to climb we turned around . A little dangerous . It’s windy and chilly at the top. If you can’t make it to the too, you can walk 5 min too see 360 degree view! And you hike through Alpine tundra! I think it’s worth the price. You won’t get this view on any other hikes in VT!!
Written 14 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Winona2017
7 contributions
Is the hike at the top ok for an older person with limited mobility? She can walk, but steep hill and stairs are hard. Are there views at the top in the parking lot?
William G
Tavernier, FL76 contributions
My was 69 years old when we went and we didn’t have much trouble. Parking area is around 3900 at the top and we only had to climb about 300 feet to get a 360 degree view. Not all the way up , was too muddy when we went, but awesome view.
Katherine D
Cambridge, MA217 contributions
If I go before 9:30am do I have to pay the toll?
Dick C
Newburyport8 contributions
Yes. This is a privately owned and maintained toll road. Only open certain hours and you must pay. Well worth the ticket price. Fun thing to do!
Roy
8 contributions
Can we drive up on a honda civic? Visiting this weekend..please guide..someone told its scary on Sedan
sherryinvermont
11 contributions
Yup, you can drive up in a Honda Civic. My little 2010 Honda FIT made it! :)
Janet D
St. Petersburg, FL56 contributions
Can one drive up the mountain with a cargo carrier on the car? Wondering if the tree limbs are low?
BradfordNJ
Cranford, NJ21 contributions
Yes, just a few tight turns towards the top. Might be a little tricky unless you're a highly skilled driver.
Janet D
St. Petersburg, FL56 contributions
Can you walk from the toll road to the restaurant at the top of the gondola?
PassinThrough2013
Maryland69 contributions
Yes, but it's challenging. From the Toll Road parking lot near the Mt Mansfield Visitors Center hike north on the Long Trail. After about one mile, turn east on the Cliff Trail and descend to the restaurant. Now comes the tough part. The hike back up the Cliff Trail is very challenging.
djs23708
River Grove, IL
I will be in Vermont on the first week of October. Is this a good foliage time? Where are the most popular/must see foliage areas? I want to go to Ben and Jerry’s to do a tour. Anything in that area as far as a good foliage destinations. I have two possibly three days to capture the beautiful scenery of Vermont.
PassinThrough2013
Maryland69 contributions
From the summit of Mt Mansfield you will have a great view of the fall colors below. There are a few drawbacks. There are very few places on the Toll Road to pull off and take pictures. Also, on a busy day the bumper-to-bumper traffic can be stressful--at least for me. Barnes Camp (not far down VT 108) has a short loop trail and board walk. Parking is limited in front of the Visitors Center, but there is a large parking lot across the road.
alwweb
Dublin, OH459 contributions
At the top parking lot, how long do you have to walk to get any of the great views I'm seeing in the pictures.
trvllrwteenz
86 contributions
We hiked to the highest point which took about 2 hours round trip. Those are obviously the best views but i thought that even from the parking lot at the top it was pretty cool. Another reviewer disagrees but i think the weather was poor when they went. There is also a shorter walk to another viewpoint.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listingStowe Mountain Auto Toll Road - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Stowe Mountain Auto Toll Road
- Hotels near Stowe Mountain Auto Toll Road:
- (0.24 km) Remote Cabin w/ Fire Pit: 3 Miles to Stowe Mtn!
- (0.36 km) Inn at Turner Mill
- (1.52 km) Innsbruck Inn At Stowe
- (1.42 km) Northern Lights Lodge
- (2.15 km) Edson Hill
- Restaurants near Stowe Mountain Auto Toll Road:
- (0.62 km) The Matterhorn
- (2.00 km) Trattoria La Festa
- (5.96 km) Stowe Bee Bakery & Cafe
- (5.17 km) Idletyme Brewing Company
- (4.67 km) Bistro at Ten Acres