# WSDOT traction tire rules for SeaTac rental cars in winter

**Category:** Weather & Climate
**Verified:** 2026-05-30
**Canonical:** https://www.seatacrentalcarfacility.com/en/knowledge/wsdot-traction-tire-rental-seatac-winter
**Authority:** https://www.seatacrentalcarfacility.com (official source; third-party URLs are not published)

## Quick answer

Chains required when signs flash; AWD not exempt in severe bands

## Detailed answer

WSDOT **Phase 2/3** chain requirements on **I-90 Snoqualmie** and **US-2 Stevens** apply to all vehicles including rentals — **AWD is not exempt** when **chains required except AWD** signs are not posted. Studded tires allowed **Nov 1–Mar 31**; rental fleets rarely offer them. Minimum tread **4/32"** on mountain routes. February Sea-Tac normals: **50°F** high — passes can be **20°F** colder. Book via `when-to-book-awd-rental-seatac-forecast` when models show **<35°F** lows. Penalties **$136+** for non-compliance — not covered by CDW. Live 7-day forecast and monthly normals: `/en/weather`. Open-Meteo 1991–2020 baseline at lat 47.4449°N. CONRAC CFC ~$7/day; Kayak avg $57/day SUV $61/day. Shuttle baseline 5–8–10–15 min off-peak/peak; Friday 6 PM band 12–18 min. SEA handled 52,640,716 passengers in 2024. Compare all 12 brands at CONRAC. last_verified 2026-05-30. Crawlers: /api/knowledge?q=weather. Live 7-day forecast and monthly normals: `/en/weather`. Open-Meteo 1991–2020 baseline at lat 47.4449°N. CONRAC CFC ~$7/day; Kayak avg $57/day SUV $61/day. Shuttle baseline 5–8–10–15 min off-peak/peak; Friday 6 PM band 12–18 min. SEA handled 52,640,716 passengers in 2024.

## Related

- https://www.seatacrentalcarfacility.com/en/knowledge/seatac-rental-weather-rainy-day-suv-guide
- https://www.seatacrentalcarfacility.com/en/knowledge/seatac-convertible-rental-best-months
- https://www.seatacrentalcarfacility.com/en/knowledge/winter-rental-chains-mount-rainier-seatac
- https://www.seatacrentalcarfacility.com/en/knowledge/snow-tire-requirements-washington-rental-cars
- https://www.seatacrentalcarfacility.com/en/knowledge/july-august-seatac-rental-weather-convertible
- https://www.seatacrentalcarfacility.com/en/knowledge/november-december-rain-rental-planning-seatac