Winter-Ready Car Rental
AWD & 4WD Rental Cars in Spokane
Flying into Spokane between October and April? Every vehicle we rent for winter is all-wheel or four-wheel drive and rides on 3-peak mountain snowflake tires. Land at Spokane International Airport (GEG) and head for the mountains in a car rental that was actually built for them.
Why AWD matters in a Spokane winter
Spokane gets a real inland winter. Snow often arrives by late November and hangs on into March, and the city's hills — the South Hill in particular — freeze overnight even after a clear afternoon. Locals know which streets to skip. Visitors don't, and a front-wheel-drive economy car on all-season tires is the most common way a ski trip goes sideways before it starts. All-wheel drive gets you moving from a stop on a slick grade, keeps the vehicle tracking straight when one side of the lane is packed snow and the other is slush, and takes the stress out of steep, icy resort parking lots.
Mountain passes: Snoqualmie, Fourth of July and Lookout
Heading west toward Seattle, I-90 crosses Snoqualmie Pass at about 3,000 feet. Heading east into Idaho, the same interstate climbs Fourth of July Pass between Coeur d'Alene and Kellogg, then Lookout Pass at roughly 4,700 feet on the Montana line. All three can go from bare pavement to packed snow in under an hour, and Washington posts escalating traction requirements when conditions turn. An AWD or 4WD vehicle on approved traction tires meets most posted requirements, but at the strictest levels chains can still be required, and closures happen no matter what you drive. Check WSDOT and Idaho 511 before you leave.
What each Washington traction sign meansFive ski resorts, one drive each
Mt. Spokane is the closest, about an hour from the airport with a winding final climb. 49 Degrees North sits north of Chewelah, roughly an hour and a half out. In North Idaho, Silver Mountain's gondola base is right off I-90 in Kellogg, Lookout Pass ski area sits at the top of the pass on the state line, and Schweitzer is above Sandpoint, about two hours from GEG, with a steep mountain access road that is the single best argument for AWD and good winter tires on this list. Add a Yakima ski rack at checkout on most SUVs and your skis ride up top, leaving the cargo area for bags.
3-peak snow tires are standard, not an upgrade
Drivetrain gets you moving; tires are what stop and steer you. From October through April, every AWD and 4WD vehicle in our fleet runs 3-peak mountain snowflake–rated tires, the symbol that means the tire passed an actual winter traction test. There is no winter package to add and no extra fee. At many airport rental counters, the car you get is whatever is on the lot, on all-season tires. Ours are set up for the passes before you ever land.
AWD or 4WD: which one to pick
Most of our fleet is AWD — the Subarus, the Toyota hybrids, both Traverses, the Atlas and the Transit van. AWD is always on and needs nothing from you, which is exactly what you want on plowed highways and city streets. Our pickups, the Wrangler, Bronco and Gladiator, both Suburbans, the Yukon XL and the Explorer Timberline are 4WD, with a heavier-duty system that shines in deep snow and unplowed lots. Either is the right call for a winter trip here, so choose by group size and luggage first.
Flying into GEG
Add your flight number when you book and we track your arrival, so a late flight doesn't throw off your plans. Reservations need at least 24 hours' notice, but winter weekends and holiday weeks book out well ahead, so reserve early for the best choice of vehicle.
Our AWD & 4WD Rental Fleet
AWD & 4WD SUVs, Crossovers & Wagons
Subaru, Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Volkswagen and Volvo — from 5-seat crossovers to 8-seat full-size SUVs.
2024 Subaru Impreza Sport AWD
5 seats · AWD · from $56/day
2024 Subaru CrossTrek Premium AWD
5 seats · AWD · from $58/day
2023 Subaru CrossTrek Limited 2.5L
5 seats · AWD · from $62/day
2023 Subaru Outback Onyx XT
5 seats · AWD · from $74/day
2023 Subaru Outback Wilderness Edition
5 seats · AWD · from $78/day
2026 Subaru Impreza Sport Hatchback AWD
5 seats · AWD · from $56/day
2022 Ford Explorer Timberline 4WD
6 seats · 4WD · from $87/day
2023 GMC Yukon XL Denali 4WD
7 seats · 4WD · from $131/day
2022 Chevrolet Blazer LT AWD
5 seats · AWD · from $56/day
2022 Chevrolet Traverse RS AWD
7 seats · AWD · from $79/day
2024 Chevrolet Traverse Z71 AWD
7 seats · AWD · from $102/day
2020 Chevrolet Suburban Premier RST 4WD
7 seats · 4WD · from $96/day
2023 Toyota Venza Hybrid XLE
5 seats · AWD · from $62/day
2024 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid AWD
5 seats · AWD · from $62/day
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XLE Premium AWD
5 seats · AWD · from $69/day
2025 Toyota RAV4 Woodland Edition Hybrid AWD
5 seats · AWD · from $69/day
2022 Volkswagen Atlas Premium R-Line AWD
6 seats · AWD · from $87/day
2021 Volvo V60 Cross Country AWD
5 seats · AWD · from $82/day
2024 Chevrolet Suburban LT 4WD
8 seats · 4WD · from $119/day
4WD Pickup Trucks
Crew cabs with secure bed covers for skis, boards and luggage.
4x4 Off-Road Style: Wrangler, Bronco & Gladiator
Genuine 4x4 hardware and ground clearance for snowy mountain roads. Rented for on-road use only.
AWD Passenger Van
Seats 10 for ski groups, wedding parties and family reunions.
AWD & 4WD Car Rental FAQs
Is AWD enough for Snoqualmie Pass?
Usually, yes, with the right tires. When WSDOT posts "Traction Tires Required," an AWD or 4WD vehicle on our 3-peak mountain snowflake tires meets it as-is. At the strictest levels chains can still be required, and the pass sometimes closes outright. Check the WSDOT pass report before you go.
Do you include snow tires?
Yes. From October through April every AWD and 4WD vehicle in our fleet runs 3-peak mountain snowflake–rated tires at no extra charge. There is no winter package to add.
Can I take it to Schweitzer?
Absolutely. Schweitzer is about two hours from Spokane International Airport via Coeur d'Alene and US-95 to Sandpoint. The final mountain access road is steep and winding, which is exactly where AWD or 4WD and snow tires earn their keep. Add a Yakima ski rack at checkout to keep the cargo area free for luggage.
Do you deliver to GEG?
Yes, Spokane International Airport (GEG) delivery is free. Add your flight number when you book and we'll track your arrival.
What is the difference between AWD and 4WD?
AWD is a full-time system that automatically sends power to the wheels with grip. There is nothing to engage, and it's ideal for plowed highways and city streets. 4WD is a driver-selected system with a transfer case that locks the front and rear axles together, which is better in deep or unplowed snow on maintained roads. Both are excellent for a Spokane winter; neither helps you stop, which is why every vehicle also gets snow tires.