Yes. The Veterans’ Memorial Highway runs from Wilmington to just below the summit of Whiteface, and it’s the only High Peak in the Adirondacks you can reach by car.
That single fact is why this page exists — it’s the difference between a family with a five-year-old seeing a 4,867-foot summit and not.
Fast facts
| Road | Veterans’ Memorial Highway |
|---|---|
| Where it starts | Wilmington, off Route 86 |
| Length | About 5 miles |
| Drive time | About 20 minutes, one way |
| Summit elevation | 4,867 ft |
| Season | Roughly mid-May to mid-October |
| Winter | Closed |
| From Lake Placid | About 25 minutes to the toll gate |
What it costs
Publish the family-of-four total. Nobody does, and it’s the number people are actually asking for when they search “how much to drive up whiteface mountain.”
How long it takes
About 20 minutes up. Budget 90 minutes to two hours for the whole thing — drive, park, get to the summit, look at it, come down.
The road is paved, two lanes, with guardrails and pull-offs. Steep in places, and there are hairpins. If someone in the car gets carsick, this will do it.
Getting from the car park to the summit
You park at the Castle, a stone building near the top. From there, two options:
The stone staircase — a walkway and steps cut into the ridge. Exposed, with drops on either side, and it’s a genuine walk rather than a stroll.
The elevator — bored 26 storeys straight up through the inside of the mountain, which children find considerably more interesting than the view.
With young kids or anyone unsteady, take the elevator. The staircase is beautiful and it’s not for everyone.
When it closes
The season ends around mid-October — earlier than most people expect, and well before the Adirondack foliage finishes lower down.
It also closes on short notice for weather. High wind is the usual reason, and the summit can be in cloud when Wilmington is clear.
Winter: fully closed. “Can you drive up Whiteface in the winter” is a real search, and the answer is no.
How cold it gets
The summit runs 20 to 25°F colder than the parking area at the bottom, and the wind makes it feel colder still. A 70°F August afternoon in Wilmington can be 45°F and blowing at the top.
Bring jackets even in summer. This is the most common mistake people make here, and it turns a good stop into a miserable one.
Drive it or hike it?
Whiteface is a 46er with a road to the top, so families genuinely face this choice.
| Drive | Hike | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | ~2 hours total | 5–7 hours round trip |
| Ages | Any | 12+, prepared |
| Cost | Toll | Free |
| Difficulty | None | Strenuous |
| The summit | Same summit | Same summit |
Driving is not cheating. With children under about twelve it’s the only realistic way to stand on a High Peak, and the view is identical.
If you want the hiking version: Hiking Whiteface Mountain
Is it worth it at 3, 5, 8, 12?
Under 5 — yes, with the elevator. The staircase is too exposed. 5 to 8 — yes. The elevator through the rock is the part they’ll talk about. 9 to 12 — yes, and the staircase becomes doable with supervision. Teens — consider hiking it instead.
Practical
- Check the status before driving out from Lake Placid.
- Jackets, even in August.
- Bathrooms are at the Castle.
- Carsick-prone passengers should sit in front.
- Go early — the summit clouds over more often in the afternoon.
Where to stay
FAQ
Can you drive up Whiteface Mountain? Yes, on the Veterans’ Memorial Highway, roughly mid-May to mid-October.
How long does it take to drive up Whiteface? About 20 minutes each way.
Can you drive up in winter? No — the road closes for the season.
Is there an elevator? Yes, 26 storeys through the rock from the parking area.
How cold is it at the summit? Typically 20–25°F colder than the base.
Do you have to hike at the top? No — the elevator is the alternative to the staircase.