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Don’t test Teton Pass – make the grade
Wyoming State Highway 22 over Teton Pass is a demanding mountain road that tests even the most experienced drivers. Its steep grades of 10 percent are nearly double the steepness of most mountain passes, and sharp curves pose significant risks, with severe crashes historically resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. Please read the following material before traveling Wyoming Highway 22 over Teton Pass.
The safest choice is to travel on an alternate route. Those wishing to detour around Teton Pass can detour through Swan Valley on US Highway 26.
If you are carrying an interstate commercial load, you can contact the WYDOT Port of Entry or Permit Station for alternate routes.
To Travel WY 22/Teton Pass you must:
- Be within the proper weight restriction of 60,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight.
- Operate only in a properly loaded and well-maintained vehicle.
- Complete the WY 22 Safe Pass self-certification if you are driving an RV, pulling a trailer, or operating vehicles and combinations of vehicles having a gross vehicle weight (GVW), gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combined vehicle weight rating (GCWR) of 10,000 pounds or more. This includes heavy-duty pickup trucks, large cargo vans, step vans, and small box trucks.
- Obey all signs and restrictions, including the seasonal closure for all trailer traffic. There are seasonal restrictions Nov. 15 to April 1, and periodic restrictions throughout the year.
- Drive patiently, cautiously and defensively.
- Ensure the driver is alert, fully trained and experienced. This includes
knowledge of:
- Your vehicle’s capabilities and operation.
- Proper downshifting techniques on manual and/or automatic transmissions.
- Effective engine braking techniques.
- Available turnouts and runaway vehicles ramps and arrestors.
Truck arrestor panels/vehicle escape ramps
If your brakes fail and you lose control, WYDOT has two life-saving systems ready to stop you. When descending Teton Pass, learn to recognize runaway ramps and arrestor systems and be prepared to use them.
Teton Pass has a runaway vehicle escape ramp located at eastbound milepost 8.3 (left-hand side of the highway) and a vehicle arrestor system further down the mountain at eastbound milepost 7.44.
When using an arrestor system, steer your vehicle between the concrete barriers and let the expanding cables and tapes slow and stop your vehicle.
CatchNET systems have been designed to stop a wide range of vehicles weighing up to 90,000 pounds and traveling up to 90 mph.
Vehicle escape ramps are designed and constructed in areas where steep grades exist to provide a location for out-of-control vehicles to come to a safe stop.
Ramp arrestor beds are lined with loose pea-sized gravel with a minimum depth of 3 feet and a minimum width of 26 feet.
⚠️ Do Not Risk It.
Teton Pass can be HAZARDOUS FOR RVs, LARGE TRUCKS AND OVERSIZED VEHICLES. Grade steepness, grade length and curve severity can cause drivers to lose control.
You can call any Wyoming Department of Transportation Port of Entry or Permit Office for alternate routes.
Failing to strictly follow all safety requirements presented throughout this self-certification increases the risk of a crash, endangering yourself and everyone else on the pass.
Use Gears and Brakes on the drive down the pass
- Obey posted speed limits, including advisory speed warnings commonly seen on sharp curves.
- Maintain a low speed using low gear (the “L” in PRNDL). Your vehicle may have additional engine braking options; learn how they work before descending a steep pass. Use flashing hazard lights to warn other vehicles if speed is lower than posted speed limits.
- Commercial vehicles: use your engine braking system to control your speed.
- Take advantage of slow vehicle pullouts, scenic parking areas, or other safe areas to pull aside to allow brakes to cool.
- Do NOT ride your vehicle’s brakes; this will cause overheating and potential brake failure.
A pre-trip Inspection Checklist
A pre-trip inspection checklist should include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Tires are adequately inflated and have adequate tread.
- Brake line hoses and air lines are in working order with no leaks.
- Trailer brakes are in working order.
- Trailer couplings are appropriate for trailer loads and are secure.
- Cargo is secure.
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