The Mount Washington Auto Road is a private toll road in northern New Hampshire that climbs 7.6 miles from near Route 16 north of Pinkham Notch to the summit of Mount Washington, the Northeast’s highest peak. Completed in 1861 as the Mount Washington Carriage Road, it was built to make the summit accessible in the era of horse-drawn travel, long before automobiles. Its steep grade helped define its reputation and later made it a site for notable auto, running, and bicycle climbs. Still active today for private vehicles and guided stages, the route also supports weather monitoring on a mountain known for severe conditions and remains a distinctive historic gateway in the White Mountains.