Burlington, VT Winter Driving Tips: Roads, Plows and Snow Bans

Winter in Burlington, Vermont is not a surprise, but it can still catch drivers off guard. According to Wikipedia's climate summary, the city averages about 86 inches (218 cm) of snow a year, although the total swings a lot from one year to the next. The same source says the city's location east of Lake Champlain sometimes brings localized snow squalls that, on rare occasions, produce up to 13 inches in 12 hours. It gives 33.1 inches, which fell on January 2 and 3, 2010, as the most snowfall recorded from a single storm.

This guide pulls together practical advice from the Vermont State Police, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), the City of Burlington and federal highway-safety guidance. It is general information, not a substitute for the current instructions from those agencies, and road rules and city policies can change. Where a number matters, we say where it came from so you can check it.

Before you leave: check conditions

The Vermont State Police advise drivers to dial 511 or visit 511vt.com for the latest road conditions. VTrans also runs a "Winter Weather Central" page with a Plow Finder. On that page, VTrans says it has about 250 trucks to cover the whole state and that a plow route can take up to two hours to complete. That detail is worth keeping in mind: during a storm, a road plowed a while ago may already be covered again, and a road that has not been reached yet may simply be later on the route.

Get the car ready before the first storm

Federal and state guidance agrees on the basics:

• Tires. The State Police recommend matching winter or snow tires on all four wheels, properly inflated with enough tread. Separately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises inflating tires to the pressure the vehicle manufacturer recommends, not the maximum number printed on the tire itself.
• Washer fluid. NHTSA guidance reprinted by the U.S. Army says to fill the washer reservoir with high-quality winter fluid that contains a deicer before winter weather arrives.
• Fuel. The State Police suggest keeping the gas tank at least half full.
• Clear the whole car. The State Police say to clear all snow and ice from windows, mirrors, lights, wipers, hood, trunk and roof before driving.
• Emergency kit. NHTSA's list includes a snow shovel, broom and ice scraper, abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, jumper cables, a flashlight, warning devices such as flares, blankets, a cell phone and charger, water, food and any necessary medicine. The State Police list similar winter items, including an ice scraper or snow brush, a shovel, non-clumping kitty litter or sand, warm clothing and boots, food and water, and a blanket.
• Maintenance. NHTSA suggests checking the cooling system for leaks and making sure there is enough coolant that meets the manufacturer's specifications. If you are unsure what your car needs, a trusted mechanic or the owner's manual is the right place to start.

Driving on snow and ice

The on-the-road advice from the State Police and NHTSA is simple and consistent.

• Slow down. NHTSA notes that it is harder to control or stop a vehicle on a slick or snow-covered surface. The State Police say to slow down and minimize distractions.
• Leave more room. The State Police advise increasing following distance to more than four seconds.
• Skip cruise control. The State Police list "don't use cruise control" among their winter driving reminders.
• Brake gently. The State Police advise squeezing the brake pedal with slow, steady pressure, and they say not to pump anti-lock brakes.
• Do not overtrust four-wheel drive. The State Police note that four- and all-wheel drive vehicles have better traction in snow, but not on ice, and warn against overconfidence.
• Watch bridges, ramps and overpasses. The State Police warn about ice in these places in particular.

Sharing the road with plows

Both the State Police and NHTSA tell drivers to give snowplows room. The State Police say to be extra careful near plows and never try to pass on the right. NHTSA says not to crowd a snowplow or travel beside it, and if you are behind one, to stay far enough back and use caution when passing. The State Police also say not to pass when the snow cloud keeps you from seeing clearly, and to allow plenty of room.

If you get stuck or stranded

NHTSA and the State Police give similar advice:

1. Activate your four-way flashers and call for help if you can.
2. Stay with your vehicle and avoid overexerting yourself. The State Police say not to leave unless you see shelter nearby, and warn that distances can be deceiving in deep snow.
3. Make the vehicle easier to see. NHTSA suggests putting bright markers on the antenna or windows and keeping the interior dome light on.
4. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and run the engine only sporadically, just long enough to stay warm. The State Police suggest about 10 minutes each hour with a downwind window opened slightly. NHTSA tells drivers to be mindful of carbon monoxide poisoning and not to run a vehicle for long periods with the windows up or in an enclosed space.

If anyone is injured or in danger, call 911 rather than relying on a checklist.

Burlington-specific: snow bans and where to park

If you live in or visit Burlington, parking can matter as much as driving. The City's Winter Parking page describes citywide snow bans called by Public Works, separate from a short list of streets with set winter dates. It says:

• Timing. Public Works calls bans by 3 PM.
• Hours. Bans run from 10 PM to 7 AM, except in the downtown "Zone F," where they run from midnight to 6 AM.
• How you find out. Overhead parking lights indicate a ban. You can also check 802-658-SNOW, social media, or sign up for VT-Alert at burlingtonvt.gov/btv-alerts.
• Franklin Square. It is split into two zones over two nights. Zone A (the south and west sides plus Red Maple Lane) must be cleared on the night of a citywide ban, and Zone H (the north and east sides) the following night.
• Free garage parking. The City lists free parking in garages starting at 7 PM on ban days, with cars out by 9 AM to avoid the full daily rate. The garages named on that page are the Marketplace Garage (47 S. Winooski), the Downtown Garage (60 College St) and the Lakeview Garage (45 Cherry St). A February 2022 City notice, published by Vermont Business Magazine, also told drivers not to park on the top floor of garages so crews could remove snow; the current City page does not repeat that line, so check signs in the garage.
• Overnight lots. Parking in surface municipal lots between 2:30 and 6 AM is prohibited from December 1 to March 15, including during snow bans.
• Penalties. The page says vehicles left on the street may receive a $75 ticket and a $75 towing fee and be towed to another location in the City, and that additional storage fees apply if a vehicle is towed to the impound for a scofflaw violation. The 2022 release reported by Vermont Business Magazine listed a $125 ticket instead, so confirm the current figure with Parking Services at 802-540-2380 (8 AM to 4 PM per the City page).
• Seasonal street restrictions. A few streets have set winter dates; the City's page gives examples such as Adsit Court (12/1 to 4/1, both sides) and Charlotte St (12/1 to 3/31, east side). Those seasonal dates are listed separately from the citywide snow bans.

The simplest habit: on any day with snow in the forecast, check the ban status after 3 PM before you leave your car on the street overnight.

A short winter checklist

• Check 511vt.com before you go.
• Tires: matched, inflated to the manufacturer's recommendation, with good tread.
• Gas tank at least half full.
• Kit in the car: scraper, shovel, sand or kitty litter, blankets, water, food, phone and charger.
• Leave extra following distance, brake gently and avoid cruise control.
• Stay back from plows.
• After 3 PM on snowy days, check the Burlington snow ban status before parking on the street.

What this guide does not cover

We have not listed crash statistics, insurance information or tire brand recommendations, because we could not verify them from a source we are willing to cite. Vermont's laws on winter equipment and parking can also change, so check with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles or the City of Burlington for current requirements.

Sources

• Vermont State Police, Winter Driving (511, plows, following distance, cruise control, braking, 4WD, bridges, tires, kit, fuel, clearing snow, stranded): https://vsp.vermont.gov/trafficsafety/winter
• VTrans, Winter Weather Central (Plow Finder; about 250 trucks; routes up to 2 hours): https://vtrans.vermont.gov/operations/winter
• U.S. Army, "NHTSA: Never too early to prepare for driving in wintry conditions" (NHTSA winter driving guidance, Dec. 18, 2024: washer fluid, tire pressure, coolant, kit, plows, if stuck, carbon monoxide): https://www.army.mil/article/282158/nhtsa_never_too_early_to_prepare_for_driving_in_wintry_conditions
• City of Burlington, Winter Parking (snow ban timing, zones, garages, overnight lots, penalties, seasonal streets): https://www.burlingtonvt.gov/628/Winter-Parking
• Vermont Business Magazine, "Citywide parking ban in effect tonight in Burlington" (Feb. 25, 2022 City notice: garage top-floor rule, $125 ticket): https://vermontbiz.com/node/167426
• Wikipedia, "Burlington, Vermont" (climate: 86 inches average snowfall, squalls, 33.1 inches January 2010): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burlington,_Vermont

Facts checked 2026-10-09 and re-checked 2026-10-12. Re-verify city fees, hours and phone numbers before publishing.