Snowmobile Operation on State Highways

Typically, snowmobiles cannot be operated on the roadway portion of a state highway except to cross or by local ordinance for residential access or access from lodging. These exceptions are listed Wis. Stat. § 350.02 and noted below. Snowmobiles are not allowed to operate on interstate highways, therefore, none of the information on this webpage applies to interstates.

More common operation on state highways:

• To cross any roadway having fewer than five lanes, but only after stopping and yielding the right of way to all approaching vehicles on the roadway. The crossing may only be made at a location where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing.
• Directly across a roadway having five lanes, but only if WisDOT authorizes such a crossing by permit.
• On the roadway of highways to cross a bridge, culvert, or railroad right of way unless posted by WisDOT. Operators shall yield the right of way to all vehicular traffic.

Less common operation on state highways:

• On a portion of the roadway or shoulder of a highway for the purpose of residential access or for the purpose of access from lodging if a town, city, or village, within that portion of the highway lies, enacts an ordinance under Wis. Stat. § 350.18 for that portion of the highway.
• On sidewalks of state highway bridges, or on bridges without sidewalks, municipalities may designate one lane of the bridge as a snowmobile route.