Summer Driving Tips

Summer Driving Resources

Know Before You Go
Pre-Trip Checklists

Do you really need a car for your trip? Try transit

Bustang operates year-round service on I-25 (North/South) and I-70 (West), with key summer enhancements including the seasonal routes. Heading somewhere rural? Outrider has you covered. Learn more and buy tickets on the Bustang website.

Before You Go Checklist
  • Download the COtrip Planner App or have your passenger bookmark COtrip.org so you are aware of any traffic impacts along your route
  • Maps: cell signals are not reliable on all roads, download maps for "offline use"
  • Weather in Colorado changes fast, know the weather forecast for the areas where you will be driving so you can plan ahead. Visit weather.gov for up-to-date forecast
  • Entertainment: if traveling with children, consider packing items to keep you or children occupied while waiting in the car
  • Activity books, colored pencils or a deck of cards can help pass the time
  • Plan a sober ride: If your summer plans involve breweries or festivals, have a designated driver or use a rideshare service
Vehicle Safety Checklist
  • Buckle Up: Ensure every passenger is buckled. Seat belts reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash by 50%
  • Prepare your vehicle and tires to stay safe before long trips, especially at high-elevations
    • Oil: Check the oil level and oil filter. Get an oil change if necessary
    • Battery: Inspect the battery and check battery cables for proper connections or erosion
    • Brakes: Inspect your brakes and pads. Get brakes replaced if necessary
    • Wipers: Make sure the wiper blades work properly and wiper fluid is full
    • Tire Pressure: check the air pressure in all tires, including your spare. Did you know that tires can lose one to two PSI for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain
    • Tire Tread: ensure your vehicle has adequate tires with good tread. Worn tires can't grip the road well and can be extremely hazardous, especially in the rain
    • Cooling System: Check your coolant levels. High-altitude climbs can easily overheat an engine that isn't properly topped off
Emergency Kit Checklist

Emergency highway closures can last for long periods of time. Supply your car with an emergency kit that at the very minimum has: water, snacks, flashlight, and a blanket

  • Cell phone and charger
  • First aid kit (including sunscreen and bug spray (the high-altitude sun is much stronger)
  • Flashlight with extra batteries or crank-powered flashlight
  • Blanket or sleeping bag (even in July, mountain temperatures can drop near freezing once the sun goes down)
  • Gallon jug of water - one gallon per person (and extra for pets)
  • First aid kit and essential medications
  • Jumper cables - high heat is actually harder on car batteries than the cold.
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Flares/reflectors to signal for help and warn other motorists
  • Nonperishable food, drinking water, and medicines
  • Extra windshield washer fluid - Summer in Colorado means a lot of bugs on the windshield and sudden "mud showers" from construction dust. Keep your reservoir full
Racks & Trailers Checklist
  • Secure the load: Ensure all items (bikes, kayaks, luggage) are double-strapped. Check tension again after the first 10 miles.
  • Secure chains: Cross trailer safety chains under the hitch to form an “X.” This creates a cradle to catch the tongue if it disconnects and ensures at least five inches of clearance to prevent sparks.
  • Check tire pressure: Check for proper inflation. Driving on a flat tire or exposed rim is a leading cause of roadside ignitions.
  • Bearing check: Grease your trailer wheel bearings to prevent overheating and mechanical fire.
  • Check brake pads: Worn-down brakes (metal-on-metal) create extreme heat and sparks. Ensure your trailer’s electronic brakes are synchronized and not "dragging."
  • Pavement only: If you need to stop to adjust your rack or trailer, never park in tall grass. Keep your hot exhaust on the pavement or gravel.
  • Check your mirror: Get in the habit of glancing back at your trailer frequently. If you see smoke or a "tail" of sparks, pull over immediately (on a paved surface).
  • Be prepared: Carry a fire extinguisher and shovel in your vehicle at all times.
Summer Driving Must Knows
Work Zone Awareness
  • Move Over Law: Colorado law requires you to move over one lane (or slow down significantly) for any vehicle with hazard lights on the shoulder, including tow trucks, CDOT maintenance, EMS, or fire truck.
  • Expect the Construction Zone Unexpected: Construction zones can involve night closures or sudden lane shifts.
Report Rockfall
  • Report rockfalls to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) immediately via the COtrip.org website or the COtrip Planner app.
  • For dangerous, life-threatening, or active incidents, call 911.
  • Also, If you are stuck waiting for a road to be cleared of mud or rocks, do not leave your car unless absolutely necessary.
Report Smoke/ Wildfire
  • The Colorado Department of Transportation uses over-head variable message signs (VMS) to alert drivers if smoke and or fires have been reported.
  • 911 is the best number to report smoke or flames. 
Roadway Emergency

Find an emergency pull out and never hang out in the median located between lanes. If traffic is moving in the opposite direction, the median can be a hazardous area! Emergency response agencies and heavy equipment may also need the median area to move about.

Wildlife Awareness

Summer is a high-activity time for Colorado’s "locals."

  • Dusk and Dawn: These are the most active times for deer, elk, and moose. Scan the shoulders for the "eye shine" reflected in your headlights.
  • "Where there’s one, there’s many": If you see one deer cross the road, assume three more are right behind it.
  • Don't Swerve: If a collision with an animal is imminent, it is generally safer to brake firmly while staying in your lane. Swerving at high speeds often leads to rollovers or head-on collisions with oncoming traffic.
Shared Roadways
  • Bicycles and Motorcycles: Many mountain passes (like Loveland or Independence Pass) are popular for cyclists. Give them at least three feet of space when passing, as required by Colorado law.
  • Move Over Law: If you see a vehicle with flashing lights (emergency, tow, or maintenance) on the shoulder, you must move over a lane or slow down significantly.
Mountain Driving
  • The "Downhill" Rule (Engine Braking): To prevent brake fade (where brakes overheat and lose stopping power), downshift to a lower gear when descending steep grades. Use your brakes sparingly and in short bursts rather than riding them.
  • Yielding to Uphill Traffic: On narrow mountain roads where only one car can pass, the vehicle traveling downhill must yield to the vehicle traveling uphill (unless the downhill vehicle has a wider pull-out available).
  • Watch the Temp Gauge: Climbing steep passes in high heat can cause engines to overheat. If your gauge spikes, turn off the Air Conditioning (AC) and turn on the heater to pull heat away from the engine. If it continues to rise, pull over safely.
Driving in Serious Conditions
  • Dry Conditions / Extreme Fire Danger:
    • Dispose of Cigarette Butts Properly: Never throw cigarette butts from a car window. Improperly discarded smoking materials are a leading cause of wildfires nationwide, responsible for thousands of acres burned every year. Use your vehicle's ashtray or an airtight container.
    • Secure Your Chains: To prevent wildfire-starting sparks, always cross trailer safety chains under the hitch to form an "X." Ensure there is at least five inches of clearance from the pavement to prevent metal-on-road contact.
    • Report Fires Immediately: If you see smoke or flames, pull over to a safe location and call 911.
  • Wildfire: When driving near a wildfire, remain in your vehicle and maintain a steady pace. Do not stop on the road or shoulder, and follow all instructions from fire flaggers or police. If a road is closed, do not seek shortcuts through backroads; these routes are typically reserved for firefighting efforts.
  • Flash Flood Safety: Never drive through standing or moving water. As little as six inches of water can cause a car to lose control, and 12 inches can sweep most cars away. "Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
  • Hail Protocol: If caught in a severe hailstorm, do not stop under highway overpasses; this creates a dangerous "bottleneck" and causes accidents. Instead, find a safe parking lot or pull completely off the shoulder.
  • Sun Glare: At high altitudes, the sun is significantly more intense. Keep a pair of polarized sunglasses in the car to combat "snow blindness" effects from bright granite or afternoon glare.
Road Conditions

Download COtrip Planner App, have your passenger bookmark COtrip.org or call 511 for current road and weather information.

Travel Resources