US-26 · OR
US-26 over Mt Hood (Government Camp): road conditions right now
Sandy, OR to Madras, OR
US-26 climbs from Sandy past Zigzag to Government Camp on the south side of Mt Hood, where ODOT TripCheck lists the pass at about 4,000 feet, then continues past the OR-35 junction toward Warm Springs and Madras. It is the main road from Portland to the Mt Hood ski areas.
Checking the forecast, NWS alerts, and DOT feeds for US-26 right now…
Why this stretch is hard in winter
- ODOT's Mt Hood snow zone runs from Zigzag to the OR-35 junction, and its minimum restriction is to carry chains or traction tires regardless of conditions.
- When conditions get worse, signs can require chains or traction tires to be used, not just carried. Not following a posted requirement is a Class C traffic infraction in Oregon.
- Studded tires are legal in Oregon only from November 1 through March 31.
What this page checks
- Hourly forecast at every checkpoint for the time you would be there: temperature, precipitation type and rate, gusts, visibility.
- Active National Weather Service watches, warnings, and advisories on the route.
- Snow on the ground (NOAA SNODAS) and the Weather Prediction Center winter impact outlook.
- Pavement temperature and surface state from state DOT road sensors, when you are leaving within a few hours.
- Chain controls, closures, and winter road condition reports from state DOT feeds where they are published openly.
- Seasonal closures of mountain roads the router might otherwise use.
Official sources for this corridor
Questions drivers ask about US-26
- Do I need chains on Mt Hood?
- Between Zigzag and the OR-35 junction, ODOT requires you to carry chains or traction tires all winter regardless of conditions. Signs and TripCheck show when they must actually be used.
- Can I use traction tires instead of chains on US-26?
- Yes, if your vehicle is rated at 10,000 lb gross weight or less and is not towing or being towed. ODOT's chains and traction tires page has the full rules, including when 4WD and AWD vehicles are exempt.
Conditions change by the hour. This page is a planning aid built on public forecasts and DOT feeds; the road authority linked above has the final word on closures and chain requirements.
Other corridors: I-80 across Wyoming · I-70 through the Colorado mountains · I-80 over Donner Pass · I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass · I-84 through the Blue Mountains · I-15 over Cajon Pass · all corridors