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We are traveling to St John for the first time at the end of the month and would like to know whether or not a 4x4 vehicle is required to explore the island. We plan to split our time between St Thomas and St John and would rather rent a car. Thanks!
everes wrote:
We are traveling to St John for the first time at the end of the month and would like to know whether or not a 4x4 vehicle is required to explore the island. We plan to split our time between St Thomas and St John and would rather rent a car. Thanks!
I will only drive on STJ with 4wd. The switchbacks and steep roads can be tough to navigate for some, and tough for anyone when wet.
Can you do it? Yes, but I think that you will find that you will be much more comfortable and feel safer with 4WD.
Of course, only you know your comfort level, so I have added a link of some video of the North Shore road. This is the road that you will need to travel to get to all the beautiful National Park Beaches. This way you can decide for yourself. Watch in order starting at the bottom of the page with part 1
definitely a 4x4.. roads can be steep and have switchbacks and even if they arent it can be slippery when they are wet.. A 4x4 gives you the ability to go wherever you choose.
Presumably you're renting on St Thomas and although this may be redundant information, remember that Hertz doesn't allow their vehicles to be taken to STJ on the car barge. Dependable and Amalie are consistently highly recommended. Enjoy!
In your case I would suggest that you might find the need for 4WD during or after a rainshower BUT since you are planning on splitting your time between islands I think that you will survive driving on StJ with only 2WD. Keep in mind the StJ roads are narrow, steep and with many switchbacks. Keep it on the pavement and out of the ditch and you will be fine. If the roads are wet I suggest that you stay off of the North Shore road between Trunk and Maho and be extra careful everywhere else. I will also suggest that the smaller the car the better. An Expedition or full size van would be difficult to use and park on StJ because of its size.
Thanks for the info everyone!
Xislandgirl - I really appreciate the link you provided. A picture, or a video in this case, is worth a thousand words. All the roads look manageable without a 4wd vehicle except the road leading to Ajax Peak. Honestly, I am more worried about having a rental vehicle with good tire tread than 4wd.
