Utah Traction Law Rental Cars — AWD That Actually Qualifies

When Utah's traction law is in effect on the Cottonwood Canyon roads (SR-190 and SR-210) and other posted canyon routes, your car must have all-wheel drive or 4WD with M+S or 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated tires — or chains on a two-wheel-drive car. Driver Valley's Salt Lake City fleet is built around AWD SUVs from $41/day, so the car you rent is the car the canyon lets through.

AWD fleet: Mazda CX-5 and CX-30, Toyota RAV4, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota 4Runner, Subaru Ascent and more
From $41/day; ski rack available as an extra ($60/trip)
No credit card needed — debit, Cash App, Venmo, Chime, or PayPal
Pickup 5 minutes from SLC airport — Park N' Jet, free shuttle
150 miles per day included — plenty for Park City, Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude runs

What the traction law actually requires

UDOT enforces the traction law on the canyon roads during winter storms — most famously Little Cottonwood Canyon (SR-210, to Alta and Snowbird) and Big Cottonwood Canyon (SR-190, to Brighton and Solitude). When it's in effect, passenger vehicles need AWD or 4WD with tires rated M+S or with the 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol; two-wheel-drive cars need chains, and rental counters at the airport routinely hand visitors front-wheel-drive sedans that don't meet the requirement — leaving them turned around at the canyon mouth or scrambling for chains. The same logic applies on I-80 over Parley's Canyon to Park City in a storm: AWD isn't a luxury here, it's the difference between getting there and not.

Rent the car the canyon lets through

Most of Driver Valley's 38 cars are AWD crossovers and SUVs — the Mazda CX-5 and CX-30, Toyota RAV4 and Corolla Cross, Subaru Crosstrek, Honda HR-V — plus body-on-frame options like the Toyota 4Runner for the deepest days. Pick AWD at booking and the traction-law question is settled before you leave the lot. Add a ski rack if the cargo is skis and boards rather than people.

Coming for a ski trip?

Land at SLC, ride the free shuttle about 5 minutes to Park N' Jet, and you're on I-80 or I-215 toward the resorts in your own AWD instead of a rideshare queue. Park City is about 40 minutes, the Cottonwood resorts 30–45. Rentals run from $41/day, and weekly terms beat daily math on a 5–7 day trip.

Related guides: weekly rentals, monthly rentals, renting with no credit card, and the SLC airport rental guide.

Questions, answered

What does Utah's traction law require for rental cars?

When the law is in effect on posted canyon roads like SR-210 (Little Cottonwood) and SR-190 (Big Cottonwood), a passenger car needs AWD or 4WD with M+S or 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake rated tires, or chains if it's two-wheel drive. Driver Valley's fleet is mostly AWD SUVs and crossovers that meet the requirement.

Can I drive a rental car to Park City in winter?

Yes — with the right car. Park City is about 40 minutes from our lot via I-80 over Parley's Canyon, and an AWD rental handles storm days that stop front-wheel-drive cars. Most Driver Valley cars are AWD.

Does the car come with a ski rack?

A ski rack is available as an extra for $60 per trip. Tell us when you book, or add it at checkout if your car choice supports it.

How much is an AWD rental in Salt Lake City?

From $41/day at Driver Valley, depending on the car and dates — winter weekends and holidays price higher under demand pricing. No credit card is required, and a flat $50 deposit (waived with CDW) applies.

Where do I pick up the car?

Park N' Jet - Mountain Lot, 2200 W North Temple, Salt Lake City, about 5 minutes from SLC airport. Exit the terminal by the Starbucks, turn right to column 10A, and ride The Parking Spot shuttle to the lot.

Book the AWD before the storm does

Storm weekends sell out the AWD cars first. Reserve yours now.

See the cars and book