Is it okay to drive with the windows down?

Yes—driving with the windows down is generally legal and fine in many situations, especially at lower speeds in clean air. However, at highway speeds, in heavy traffic or poor air quality, and when children or pets are in the car, keeping windows up and using climate control is usually safer, quieter, and often more efficient.

What the law says

Most jurisdictions do not prohibit driving with windows down. The primary legal considerations involve noise, safety, and securement: you can be cited for excessive noise, distracted driving, or allowing passengers (including pets) to ride with body parts protruding. Some regions also require animals to be restrained in vehicles, and many ban wearing headphones or earbuds that block outside sounds while driving. Always check local regulations, but there’s no blanket ban on open windows.

Fuel economy and EV range

Why speed matters

Aerodynamic drag rises rapidly with speed. At city speeds, the fuel or energy penalty for open windows is modest, but at highway speeds it grows significantly, sometimes outweighing the cost of running the air conditioning. Modern guidance from efficiency testing and engineering studies supports a practical, speed-based approach.

The following list outlines a simple rule of thumb for choosing between windows and A/C based on speed and conditions.

• Under ~40 mph (65 km/h): Windows down is typically efficient and comfortable if outside air is clean.
• Between ~40–50 mph (65–80 km/h): It’s a wash; choose based on comfort. Slightly open windows or light A/C often work well.
• Above ~50 mph (80 km/h): Keep windows up to reduce drag and wind noise; use A/C at a moderate setting or recirculation.
• Stop-and-go heat: A/C can significantly reduce MPG/range in very hot conditions; pre-cool the cabin and use moderate settings.

In practice, your vehicle’s instant fuel economy or EV efficiency readout is the best way to see which choice helps more in your specific car and conditions.

Special note for EV drivers

Because aerodynamic losses dominate at speed, running with windows down on highways can noticeably cut range in electric vehicles. For comfort with minimal range impact, keep windows up at speed, use eco or automatic climate settings, recirculation when air is bad, and supplement with seat ventilation or targeted vents. Precondition while plugged in during extreme heat or cold.

Health and comfort

Air quality and allergens

With windows down in traffic, you’re exposed to more pollutants (PM2.5, NO2, and black carbon) and allergens. Using recirculation and a good cabin air filter can substantially cut in-cabin exposure, especially in congested corridors, tunnels, and near diesel vehicles or wildfire smoke. If outdoor air is clean (rural roads, low traffic), opening windows can be perfectly comfortable.

Noise and hearing

Wind and road noise with windows down at highway speeds can exceed levels associated with long-term hearing risk if exposure is prolonged. If you regularly drive fast with windows open, consider partially opening a single downwind window or using deflectors to reduce buffeting and volume. Avoid wearing ear-sealing earbuds while driving where prohibited; rely on keeping the cabin quieter instead.

Safety considerations

Open windows can admit debris and amplify distractions. The biggest risks involve children and pets, who may be tempted to lean out; unsecured animals can be injured by debris or sudden stops. Weather can also matter: in heavy rain or blowing dust, open windows can impair visibility and comfort.

The following list highlights situations where it’s best to keep windows up or use extra caution.

• Highways and busy arterials: Higher speeds mean more drag, more noise, and more debris risk.
• Heavy traffic, tunnels, wildfire smoke, dust storms, or high pollen: Use recirculation and filtration.
• With children on board: Use child locks, keep rear windows up, and never allow leaning out.
• With pets: Use a harness or carrier; do not let pets hang heads out of the window.
• On gravel roads or behind trucks: Protect eyes and cabin from kicked-up stones and dust.

Adopting these precautions maintains comfort and reduces health and safety risks when conditions aren’t ideal for open-window driving.

Practical tips for fresh air without drawbacks

If you enjoy fresh air, these steps can help you get it while minimizing drag, noise, and pollution exposure.

1. Create cross-ventilation: Crack a front window slightly and a rear window on the opposite side 1–2 inches to reduce buffeting.
2. Use flow-through vents: Direct dashboard vents toward the cabin and away from faces to avoid dry eyes while keeping windows mostly up at speed.
3. Blend modes: Briefly open windows to flush heat or odors, then close them and switch to moderate A/C or recirculation.
4. Maintain your cabin filter: Replace on schedule; consider higher-efficiency filters if your vehicle supports them.
5. Add wind deflectors: Low-profile deflectors can reduce turbulence and rain intrusion when windows are slightly open.
6. Monitor efficiency: Watch your MPG/kWh display to see how your choices affect consumption in real time.

These simple habits let you enjoy outside air when it’s pleasant while avoiding the biggest downsides of fully open windows, especially at speed or in poor air.

Summary

It’s okay to drive with the windows down, and at low speeds in clean air it’s often the most pleasant choice. For highways or polluted conditions, rolling windows up and using moderate A/C and recirculation improves efficiency, reduces noise and pollutant exposure, and enhances safety—especially for kids and pets. Tailor your approach to speed, air quality, and who’s in the car, and use your vehicle’s efficiency readouts to guide what works best for you.

Can driving with the windows down damage your hearing?

Yes, driving with the windows down can damage your hearing by exposing you to constant, high noise levels from wind and engine noise, potentially reaching 89 decibels or higher. Exposure to sound levels at or above 85 decibels for extended periods can cause irreversible hearing loss over time. To protect your hearing, you can take short breaks, close your windows in heavy traffic, avoid loud music, and consider using noise-reducing earplugs. 
How Noise Damage Happens

• High Decibel Levels: Wind rushing past the car and the engine’s roar can create a noisy environment with sounds of 89 decibels or more. 
• Extended Exposure: Prolonged exposure to sounds above 85 decibels can lead to permanent hearing damage. 
• Cumulative Effect: Daily driving with windows down for extended periods increases your risk of developing noise-induced hearing loss. 

How to Protect Your Hearing

• Take Breaks: On long drives, alternate between having your windows open and closed to reduce continuous noise exposure. 
• Keep Windows Closed in Traffic: Heavy traffic, especially with trucks and motorcycles, can significantly amplify noise levels. 
• Avoid Masking with Music: Don’t turn your music up to drown out traffic noise, as this adds another layer of damaging sound. 
• Use Ear Protection: For convertible owners or when driving with windows open, consider wearing noise-reducing helmets or earplugs. 
• Monitor Your Hearing: Be aware of your environment and consider using smartphone apps to monitor noise levels, especially on longer journeys. 

Is it unhealthy to drive with windows down?

In conclusion, driving with windows down exposes you to various sources of noise, including engine and wind noise, potentially impacting your hearing health. Taking measures to safeguard your ears can help you preserve your hearing while still taking pleasure in the thrill of driving with the windows open.

Is it legal to drive with windows down?

Suspicious is not a crime when I’ve done something. Wrong. Then you may stop and detain. Me.

Is it better to drive with windows down or AC?

Driving with the windows down is more fuel-efficient at low speeds (under 50 mph), while using the air conditioning (AC) is more fuel-efficient at high speeds (above 50 mph). At low speeds, the drag from open windows is minimal, and the AC’s power usage is a greater fuel drain. At highway speeds, the aerodynamic drag created by open windows significantly impacts fuel economy, outweighing the fuel consumed by the AC system. 
When to Roll Down the Windows

• Low Speeds: When driving at city speeds or in stop-and-go traffic (below approximately 50 mph), rolling down the windows is often more fuel-efficient than using the AC. 
• Better Air Quality: At low speeds, you can get fresh air without excessive noise or air pollution, and the airflow can help clear the cabin of chemicals from interior materials. 

This video explains how opening your windows at low speeds is more fuel efficient: 59sBjørn NylandYouTube · May 14, 2018
When to Use the Air Conditioning

• Highway Speeds: Opens in new tabAt higher speeds (above approximately 50 mph), the drag from open windows creates more resistance than the AC uses, making it more fuel-efficient to keep the windows up and the AC on. 
• Clean Air and Comfort: Opens in new tabAC provides a more pleasant and less stressful driving experience by maintaining a consistent, comfortable temperature and filtering out dust, fumes, and other pollutants from the outside air. 
• Defogging Windows: Opens in new tabThe AC system also removes moisture from the air, which is essential for defogging windows on humid or rainy days, improving visibility.