Home › Auto
Auto

How to Drive in Snow: Speed, Following Distance, Hills and Brakes

Slow down, leave five to six seconds behind the car ahead and skip cruise control. Here’s what AAA and NHTSA say about driving on snow and ice.

By SHOP & SPOT EditorsLast reviewed Nov 9, 2026Research-based guide · 2 sources

This guide has no shopping links. When a guide does, we may earn a commission; it doesn’t change what we recommend. Affiliate disclosure

A black car on a snow-covered road.

Photo: Gabriel Alenius on Unsplash

This guide is for drivers facing their first snowy winter, or anyone who wants a refresher before the roads turn slick.

The safest snow trip is the one you postpone. When you do have to go, smooth, slow inputs and extra space do most of the work.

The quick answer

AAA’s core rules: adjust your speed down for lower traction, accelerate and decelerate slowly, and increase your following distance to five to six seconds.1 AAA also says not to use cruise control on any slippery surface, such as ice and snow.1

Before you pull out

  • Our advice: clear all snow and ice from the windows, lights, mirrors and roof. See our snow brush guide.
  • AAA recommends keeping at least half a tank of fuel in winter.1
  • AAA warns never to warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area such as a garage.1
  • Check your tires; see our penny test guide.

On the road

Situation What to do
Starting and stopping Apply the gas slowly to keep traction and avoid skids, and slow down gradually1
Following Leave five to six seconds behind the car ahead1
Hills Build a little momentum before the hill instead of powering up it, and don’t stop going up. Slow down near the top and go down slowly1
Snowplows Give them room. NHTSA notes plows stop often and may overlap lanes2
Cruise control Turn it off on snow and ice1

Braking on snow and ice

NHTSA says that if your car has antilock brakes (ABS), apply firm, continuous pressure. Without ABS, pump the brakes if the wheels start to lock.2 AAA suggests keeping the heel of your foot on the floor and using the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure.1 Check your owner’s manual if you’re not sure which brakes you have.

If you get stuck or stranded

NHTSA says to stay with your vehicle, make it visible with bright markers and the dome light, clear snow from the exhaust pipe and run the engine only from time to time.2 Keep a kit in the trunk; see our winter car emergency kit.

Checklist

  • Clear the whole car, not just a peephole.
  • Half a tank or more.
  • Slow inputs and five to six seconds of space.
  • No cruise control on snow or ice.
  • Know whether you have ABS.

Sources & method

How we researched this

  • This is a research-based guide, not a hands-on product test.
  • Every measurement and safety figure is attributed to the source it comes from. Where we give our own advice, we say so.
  • We don’t rank or recommend specific products in this guide.

Sources

  1. Winter Driving Tips, AAA. Accessed Nov 9, 2026.
  2. Winter Weather Driving Tips, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Accessed Nov 9, 2026.

Review history

  • Published Nov 9, 2026.