Quick Summary:
- AWD helps on snowy hills, but winter tyres and speed matter more.
- Rental chains are uncommon, and some contracts forbid fitting them.
- Check NYSDOT 511, NWS alerts, and passes for ice before departure.
- Use I-87 to Kingston then NY-28, avoid unploughed backroads at night.
Winter trips from New York City to the Catskills can be straightforward one day and genuinely tricky the next. The route is short by American standards, but it crosses higher ground where lake effect snow bands, freezing rain, and sudden temperature drops turn an easy motorway drive into a white knuckle climb. If you are planning New York car hire for a winter Catskills break, the real question is not only “AWD or chains?”, it is “what will the roads look like on my travel day, and what does my rental actually include?”
This guide maps out realistic winter conditions, what rentals typically provide, how to check forecasts and closures, and the safest routing choices from NYC to common Catskills towns like Hunter, Woodstock, Phoenicia, Tannersville, Windham, and Margaretville.
What winter driving is really like between NYC and the Catskills
Most travellers start in NYC and head north or northwest. You will typically see three distinct “winter zones” on this drive.
1) NYC and the Hudson Valley: Temperatures often hover around freezing, with slush and wet roads common after a storm. Roads are heavily travelled and usually treated quickly, but bridges and ramps freeze first. Expect spray, reduced visibility, and changing lane traction.
2) The climb into the Catskills: Once you leave the main corridors and begin climbing, conditions can change sharply. You may find packed snow on shaded curves, freezing rain glazing the surface, and windblown drifts in open areas. Elevation matters, a rain event in Kingston can be snow in Phoenicia.
3) The final miles on county roads and driveways: This is where most visitors get caught out. Ploughs prioritise major roads, then secondary routes, then smaller lanes. A hotel car park may be ploughed, but the last half mile to a cabin can be steep, narrow, and icy.
Because these zones can differ on the same day, your car hire choice should be based on the worst part of the trip, not the easiest.
Do you need AWD for the Catskills in winter?
AWD can be a genuine advantage in the Catskills, but it is not a magic solution. Think of AWD as a tool that helps you pull away and climb on slippery surfaces. It does not shorten braking distances. On ice, an AWD vehicle will still slide if you enter a bend too quickly or follow too close.
AWD is most useful when:
• You expect snow on the road, not just wet slush.
• Your destination involves hills, steep access roads, or rural driveways.
• You will be travelling early morning or late evening when refreezing is likely.
• You cannot easily delay the trip if conditions worsen.
AWD is less critical when:
• You will stick to ploughed main routes and travel mid day.
• Forecasts show cold, clear weather for your whole travel window.
• You are staying in a town centre with regularly treated roads.
A practical rule: if you are heading to ski areas (Hunter, Windham, Belleayre) or a cabin on a hillside, choose AWD if it fits your budget. If you are travelling after a fresh snowfall and you only have a two wheel drive car, be prepared to slow down, increase following distance, and reroute if necessary.
If you are arranging pickup near the airports, you can compare categories and suppliers on Hola Car Rentals pages such as car hire at New York JFK or car hire at Newark EWR. If AWD is your priority, look at SUV categories rather than hoping for an upgrade at the counter.
Do you need snow chains in New York State?
For most NYC to Catskills trips, snow chains are not necessary, and in many cases they are not practical with car hire. Chains are used in parts of the US with high mountain passes and chain control checkpoints. The Catskills are mountainous, but they do not commonly operate chain control like the Sierra Nevada or parts of Colorado.
Key reality for rentals: Many car hire agreements in the US either prohibit chains outright or restrict their use due to potential vehicle damage. Even when allowed, the rental company typically does not supply them. That means you should not plan your trip around fitting chains, and you should never assume your rental includes them.
So what should you do instead? Prioritise good tyres, conservative driving, and flexible timing. If a storm is significant enough that you think you “need chains”, it is often a sign you should delay departure or pick a different route on treated roads.
If your accommodation is on an unmaintained lane, ask the host what locals use during storms. Often the answer is ploughing, sand, or a short shuttle from the main road, not chains. If they insist that chains are required, clarify whether they mean for their private driveway, because that may not be compatible with your rental contract.
What rentals typically provide in winter, and what they do not
US winter car hire expectations can surprise visitors from the UK. In much of New York State, winter tyres are not automatically fitted to every vehicle. Most fleets run all season tyres, which are designed to be adequate in light snow but not optimal on ice or deep snow.
Commonly provided: All season tyres, basic windshield washer fluid, standard wipers, and in many cases a scraper in the boot, though you should not rely on it.
Not reliably provided: Winter tyres, chains, a shovel, traction mats, or emergency blankets.
What you can do at pickup:
• Check tyre tread depth visually and choose a different vehicle if it looks worn.
• Confirm the drivetrain on the rental agreement, not just the badge on the car.
• Test wipers and demister before leaving the car park.
• Buy a small ice scraper and screen wash rated for freezing temperatures if needed.
For travellers who prefer an SUV category for clearance and traction, start by looking at pages such as SUV rental near Newark EWR. Clearance helps with ruts and unploughed edges, but remember that high sided vehicles can feel less stable in strong crosswinds.
How to check forecasts, snowfall totals, and road closures
Forecast checking is the biggest safety upgrade you can make, because it helps you avoid being on the road at the worst possible hours. Use multiple sources and focus on timing, not only total inches.
1) National Weather Service (NWS): Look for Winter Weather Advisories, Winter Storm Warnings, and Ice Storm Warnings. Ice warnings matter more than snow totals for braking and steering.
2) NYSDOT 511 and local highway updates: Check for incidents, closures, and live traffic speeds. Pay attention to the messages about disabled vehicles and jackknifed lorries, which often signal rapidly deteriorating conditions.
3) Radar and temperature trend: A rain to snow changeover near freezing can create flash ice. If temperatures are dropping and precipitation continues, assume bridges and shaded corners will freeze first.
4) Wind and visibility: Even when snow totals are modest, blowing snow can cause whiteout patches in open areas and on ridges.
Build a simple go or no go rule before you set off. For example: if there is an active Ice Storm Warning along your route, postpone. If heavy snow is forecast during your driving window, aim to travel after ploughing has been underway for several hours, or wait until the next day.
Safest routing options from NYC to the Catskills in winter
The safest route is usually the one with the highest road priority for ploughing and treatment. That typically means staying on interstates and major state routes as long as possible, even if it adds a few miles.
Option A, often the best all round winter route: Take I-87 (New York State Thruway) north to Kingston, then NY-28 west into the Catskills. This keeps you on a major corridor for most of the journey and provides services and exits if you need to stop. From NY-28 you can reach Phoenicia, Woodstock, and beyond.
Option B, for northern Catskills towns: Use I-87 to Saugerties or Catskill, then continue via NY-23 or NY-23A towards Tannersville and Hunter. These roads climb and can become slick, so reduce speed early on descents and approach corners with margin.
Option C, western approaches: For places like Margaretville and some Delaware County destinations, you may go via Kingston then continue on NY-28, or use NY-17 if you are starting from New Jersey. Winter conditions on NY-17 can include fast moving traffic and spray, so keep following distances generous.
Routes to be cautious with in storms: Small backroads that look shorter on a map. They may be narrow, unlit, and lightly treated. If you are unfamiliar with the area, avoid last minute shortcuts, especially after dark.
If you are starting your trip from the New Jersey side, information pages like car rental at EWR can help you compare options for a smoother departure without crossing Manhattan traffic first.
Driving technique for Catskills winter roads
Even with AWD, the safest approach is to drive as if you have less grip than you think. The Catskills have long downhill sections where speed builds gradually and corners tighten without warning.
Practical winter habits:
• Accelerate gently and avoid sudden throttle changes mid corner.
• Brake earlier than usual, especially before downhill bends.
• Leave a larger gap, at least 4 to 6 seconds in poor conditions.
• Use lower speeds, not lower stress, when visibility drops.
• If you start to slide, ease off the accelerator and steer smoothly.
Also plan for simple winter logistics: clear all snow from the roof before driving, keep the fuel tank above half in remote areas, and carry water and snacks in case traffic stops behind an accident.
What to do if conditions worsen mid trip
Conditions can change quickly as you climb. If traction drops or you see vehicles struggling on hills, it is reasonable to turn around early rather than press on to a steep final approach.
Safer alternatives: Stop in a larger town (Kingston, Catskill, Saugerties) and wait for ploughing, reroute to a more treated approach road, or adjust arrival time to daylight. If you are staying at a property with a steep drive, park safely nearby and ask the host about plough status rather than risking getting stuck.
If your plans require a specific supplier category, Hola Car Rentals pages such as Enterprise at Newark EWR can help you review availability by location and vehicle type without relying on assumptions at pickup.
FAQ
Do I legally need snow chains to drive to the Catskills? Generally no. New York does not typically require chains for passenger cars on Catskills routes, and chain control checkpoints are uncommon. Focus on tyres, timing, and treated main roads.
Will my car hire include winter tyres in New York? Usually not. Many rentals come with all season tyres, not dedicated winter tyres. At pickup, check tread depth and consider an SUV category if you expect snow covered access roads.
Is AWD essential for NYC to Catskills in winter? Not always. You can often drive on main routes with two wheel drive if roads are clear or well treated. AWD is most helpful for hills, fresh snow, and the final miles to rural accommodation.
What is the safest route from NYC to Hunter or Windham during snow? In most storms, stay on I-87 as long as possible, then take NY-23 or NY-23A carefully for the climb. Avoid shortcuts onto minor roads and aim to travel in daylight after ploughing has started.
What should I check before leaving NYC on a winter travel day? Check NWS advisories for snow or ice, review NYSDOT 511 for closures and incidents, confirm your accommodation access road status, and plan fuel and rest stops on major roads.
