Best Mountain Driving Tips for Truck Drivers

Driving is a skill — and it’s also an attitude. And mountain roads will put that attitude to the test. With sharp climbs, sudden weather changes, and tight curves, mountain trucking can be a real challenge for truckers, especially if steep grades are new territory. From the towering peaks of Colorado to the rolling hills of West Pennsylvania, it’s vital to control your speed and stay safe. 

So, what should you do before driving in mountains CDL? Simple: stick to the tips in your CDL manual. If mountain driving is unfamiliar to you, read that particular section and don’t hesitate to get extra advice from your fleet manager. Better to be fully prepared!

Driving in the mountains isn’t the place to rush — this is the most important thing to remember. Flying down a steep slope can quickly lead to trouble, and rough mountain roads can make things even trickier. Want to avoid jackknifing your trailer, veering off course, or ending up in an accident? Stick to our experts’ mountain driving tips to stay safe and keep your rig in control. Keep reading.

Prep Before You Hit the Road

Are you fully packed and ready for the days ahead? Have you mapped out your route? Don’t forget to check the weather — it can switch up fast in the mountains. Prepare for snow and ice, and make sure tire chains are part of your gear. So, what should you do before driving in mountains? Follow these 3 prep steps:

1. Give Your Brakes a Quick Check

Every time you head out, your truck needs a full inspection — focus on your service brakes and air tanks. When your brake pads grip the discs, they generate heat, and on steep slopes, all your brakes need to work together. If a few brakes are off, the rest work overtime and can overheat. This excessive heat ruins brake linings and cuts down friction, causing brake fade. When that happens, you’ll have a hard time slowing down safely. Explore the Air Brakes Test to be more confident!

2. Fill up Your Tank Before You Go Mountain Driving

There aren’t many places to fill up once you’re in the mountains — sometimes you’ll go 100 miles without a truck stop. Top off your tank before you go. A full tank will keep you warm and powered up in case you hit an emergency or have to pull over unexpectedly.

3. Get Your Emergency Kit Ready

Every truck driver should have a winter emergency kit, no matter if you’re cruising through the mountains or across flat fields. It’s smart to be ready for anything. Your kit should have extra food, water, flares, flashlights, and batteries, plus warm clothes and tire chains. If you’re heading to spots with poor cell service, a CB radio can be a lifesaver.

Smart Speeding Tips for Hilly Driving

The solution to how to drive in the mountains is to keep it slow and steady. Truckers often say, “You can go down a mountain slowly a hundred times, but only once if you go too fast.”

Gravity plays a big role when you’re climbing up or going down a hill. Heavy loads can slow you down going up and make you speed up going down. Always use lower gears when driving down mountain roads to stay safe.

So, how to drive down a mountain, speed-wise? Follow these tips from our experts:

1. Take It Slow at the Start

When driving down a mountain road, you should never rush into it. Many drivers don’t begin their descent slowly enough, even those with experience. Some go 20 mph over the safe speed for going downhill. Look for the speed limit signs, which show you what to expect and often have a maximum safe speed for the grade ahead.

Never assume you can just slow down halfway down a hill. Start at the correct speed for the grade at the top. If needed, turn on your hazard lights to let other drivers know to expect a slower pace. Remember, don’t let others rush you into going faster.

2. Count on Your Engine Brake

Use your engine brake, or Jake brake, to help control your speed instead of just using your service brakes. If you only use the service brakes, you could risk brake fade. Keep in mind that service brakes are there for stopping and slowing down in traffic, so save them for those moments.

3. Maintain Speed When You Truck Down

When driving through the mountains, your goal is to keep a safe speed without using your service brakes too much. Relying heavily on them can lead to overheating and even fires. Instead, aim to use your engine brake for the descent.

Before you head down, shift your transmission into a low gear. Don’t put it off until you’re already descending. Stay in a gear that keeps your RPMs between 1,800 and 2,000 for a safer journey.

If you want to know how to drive in mountains with automatic transmission, consider using “Descent Mode” for good weather. It helps maintain your truck mountain speed using the engine brake.

At the top, turn off cruise control and the Jake brake. Set the Jake brake to 2 and cruise to your safe speed. If you need to slow down, apply your service brakes gently, then resume cruise control.

Driving through mountains in bad weather means ditching cruise control and engine brakes. Stay safe by manually controlling your speed, as your service brakes are crucial. Just remember to be gentle.

If the weather is rough, it’s smart to wait it out. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration claims that brake issues and speeding lead to crashes. Start your descent slowly, under 25 mph. What is snub braking? Snub braking is a technique where you gently press the brakes at your target speed and release them when you’re 5–6 mph lower. There’s also the stab braking method: you give the brakes a strong push for a split second to slow down fast, then you ease off to keep them from overheating. Make the most of these two techniques to make your trip safer.

Conclusion: Take Your Mountain Driving Skills to a Higher Level!

When driving down a mountain, you should never shift to higher gears. Remember, mountain driving is all about control and safety. Stick to the tips we’ve discussed above — prepare well, maintain a safe speed, and use your engine brake wisely. Be mindful of the weather, and never rush your descent. Facing sharp curves or steep grades? Just stay calm and use the hacks shared by our experts in this post. It will help keep you and your rig safe. Fall in love with the process of mountain trucking, enjoy the beautiful views while driving through mountains, and master this art like a pro. Safe travels!