Yes, you can drive through Glacier National Park on Going-to-the-Sun Road in summer, but dates, vehicle limits, and reservations change each year.
Can You Drive Through Glacier National Park? Main Things To Know
Driving across Glacier by car is possible, yet it depends on season, route, and vehicle. Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only paved drive over the crest, joining the west-side forests near Lake McDonald with the open slopes above St. Mary. When snow or repair work blocks the high section, you still can safely drive lower stretches on each side or follow U.S. Highway 2 along the southern edge of the park.
This pattern is only a guide, because deep snow years, spring avalanches, and repair work can shift the calendar by weeks. Glacier road crews spend months cutting through drifts above treeline, and the park closes sections quickly when conditions change. Build some slack into your plan to drive through Glacier and always check the current conditions page shortly before your trip.
| Time Of Year | Going-To-The-Sun Road Status | What You Can Usually Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Late May To Early June | Lower sections open, plows work higher up | West Glacier To Lake McDonald Lodge; St. Mary To Jackson Glacier Overlook |
| Mid To Late June | Alpine section may open for the season | Possible full crossing, still subject to snow and road work |
| July And August | Road usually fully open, busiest traffic | Full drive from West Glacier to St. Mary over Logan Pass |
| September | Cooler days, first storms at higher levels | Often still a full drive, with rising chance of short closures |
| October | Alpine section closes once snow sticks | Lower segments on each side stay open until deeper winter |
| November To March | High country closed to regular traffic | Short stretches near West Glacier and St. Mary; U.S. Highway 2 outside the park |
| April | Plows move uphill, gates shift often | Variable access on both sides, never a guaranteed full crossing |
Driving Through Glacier National Park By Season
The question Can you drive through Glacier National Park? really comes down to timing. A full east–west crossing is a classic summer drive, while spring and fall bring smaller windows and cooler, quieter days. Winter visits feel different again, with short drives, snow piles at the gate, and life taking place down in the valleys.
Summer: Full Crossing And Classic Views
From late June through early fall, the park usually opens the entire length of Going-to-the-Sun Road to regular cars and small RVs. In many years the full drive becomes possible between late June and early July and stays open into September or early October. Once the gates open at higher elevations, you can plan a one-way crossing between West Glacier and St. Mary in a day or build a loop by returning along U.S. Highway 2.
Summer also brings the heaviest traffic. Expect slow stretches near Avalanche Creek, Logan Pass, and major trailheads. Parking fills early, passing cautious drivers takes patience, and weather can still change fast at the pass. Even on clear blue-sky days, carry layers in the car and allow extra time for road work or short delays.
Spring And Fall Shoulder Seasons
In May and early June, plows work steadily up the slopes while lower sections of road open first. Cyclists and walkers often enjoy access beyond the vehicle gate, since the park allows human-powered travel on parts of the road before cars return. If your trip falls in this window, you may still enjoy a memorable drive near Lake McDonald or along the east side toward Jackson Glacier Overlook, yet you can’t count on reaching Logan Pass by car.
During October, early storms can quickly shut the alpine stretch. The closure point tends to drop from the pass to mid mountain over the month. A visitor arriving early in October might squeak through on a cold, clear day, while someone who comes two weeks later finds the high section closed for winter.
Winter Drives Near Glacier
From roughly November through April, you can’t drive over the pass. The park still plows access roads near the main entrances, and these short stretches can make pleasant snow-season outings on their own. Many winter visitors combine a short scenic drive near West Glacier or St. Mary with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or time in nearby towns along U.S. Highway 2.
Route Options And How Long The Drive Takes
Most visitors who ask about driving through Glacier National Park want to know the best route and how much time the drive demands. The answer depends on whether Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open and whether you plan a point-to-point trip or a loop.
Going-To-The-Sun Road: The Main Scenic Drive
Going-to-the-Sun Road runs roughly fifty miles between West Glacier and St. Mary. Without stops, that distance can take around two hours in light traffic, yet very few visitors drive this road without pulling over for viewpoints and short walks. A relaxed one-way trip with scenic stops usually fills four to six hours of the day, while a full loop with U.S. Highway 2 as the return leg can run much longer.
The highest stretch crosses Logan Pass, where steep drop-offs and tight curves reward drivers and riders with sweeping views of peaks and valleys. People who feel uneasy with heights may prefer to sit on the mountain side of the vehicle while someone else drives. The park shuttle or a guided Red Bus tour can offer an alternative for anyone who would rather look out the window while someone else handles the tight driving.
U.S. Highway 2: Year-Round Passage Around The Park
When snow or construction closes the pass, U.S. Highway 2 becomes the simple way to drive from one side of Glacier to the other. This highway runs along the southern edge of the park between West Glacier and East Glacier Park, never crossing the high ridge but still giving grand river and mountain views. Even in midsummer, some visitors choose this route for a calmer day on the road, then save Going-to-the-Sun for a different morning.
Other Park Roads Worth A Detour
Side valleys such as Many Glacier and Two Medicine do not form a full crossing, yet they reward anyone with an extra day. Many Glacier Road leads to busy trailheads and a historic lodge on the northeast side, while Two Medicine Road reaches quiet lakes and less crowded viewpoints in the southeast corner of the park.
Vehicle Limits, Road Rules, And Safety Tips
Not every vehicle can drive the entire length of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Between Avalanche Creek and Rising Sun, the park bans vehicles and combinations longer than twenty-one feet or wider than eight feet, measured including bumpers and mirrors. Tall vehicles over ten feet can run into rock overhangs on the west side of Logan Pass, so drivers of larger vans and RVs should plan the day with real care.
That rule means large motorhomes, long trailers, and many rental campervans can’t complete the classic high pass section. You can still take those rigs on lower segments near Lake McDonald or St. Mary, then return the way you came. Many visitors in longer vehicles park at one end of the restricted stretch and ride the park shuttle through the alpine section instead of driving it themselves.
General Driving Safety In Glacier
Even with the right vehicle size, high mountain driving calls for extra attention. Tight curves, steep grades, and narrow shoulders reward patient, slow driving. Pullouts give safe spots to let faster drivers pass and to take in the view. Wildlife often stands near or on the pavement, especially at dawn and dusk, and rockfall or ice can appear around blind corners.
Weather adds another layer. Afternoon storms can bring sudden downpours or hail at the pass, while early mornings may start with frost. Carry water, snacks, and warm clothing in the car, since a short delay from construction or a traffic backup can stretch longer than expected. Cell signal along the road is patchy, so don’t count on a phone for navigation or weather checks.
When Reservations, Closures, And Delays Affect Your Drive
In recent years, Glacier has tested timed entry systems to ease congestion on Going-to-the-Sun Road and at busy entrances. Rules change by season, and by the time you visit, the park may adjust them again. The safest habit is to treat any past year pattern as history, then rely on Glacier’s official vehicle reservation page for the plan that matches your dates.
Separate from timed entry, temporary closures pop up with little warning. Construction projects, rockfall, bear activity, or sudden storms can close sections outright for hours or even days. Park alerts and current condition pages give a clearer picture than static maps in guidebooks, so it helps to read them shortly before you drive and again on the same morning.
| Entrance Or Area | Common Use | Driving Notes |
|---|---|---|
| West Glacier / Apgar | Main west-side entry, lake access | Start of Going-to-the-Sun Road near Lake McDonald |
| St. Mary | Main east-side entry | Eastern end of Going-to-the-Sun Road and route to Many Glacier turnoff |
| Many Glacier | Hiking and classic lodge views | Dead-end valley road with tight parking and frequent delays |
| Two Medicine | Scenic lake and quieter trails | Side road from East Glacier, pairs well with Highway 2 loop |
| North Fork / Polebridge | Remote front-country camping and gravel roads | Mostly unpaved, slow travel, limited services |
| Highway 2 Corridor | Year-round link around the park | Outside park boundary, connects west and east rail towns |
Planning Your Glacier Drive Day
A successful drive through Glacier feels unhurried, with time for short walks, viewpoints, and a relaxed meal. Start with an early departure from either West Glacier or St. Mary so you can find parking at popular stops. Pack snacks and drinks so you do not depend on a single busy lodge or store, and give yourself a clear turnaround time if afternoon storms start to build.
Think about how driving fits into your wider Glacier visit. Many people pair a Going-to-the-Sun crossing with a day on the water at Lake McDonald, a hike in Many Glacier, or a stop at Two Medicine. No matter how you stack the days, the more you know about openings, vehicle limits, and backup routes, the easier it is to answer friends who ask, Can you drive through Glacier National Park? Leave room for one or two surprise stops.