Why road salt stops working when temperatures are too cold
Miriam Guthrie
ByMiriam GuthrieandDaniel Connell•
October 29, 2026Updated: October 29, 2026, 6:06 am EDTPublished: October 29, 2026, 1:10 am EDT

Road salt becomes less effective in colder temperatures, which is why freshly salted roads can stay icy in a hard freeze. Below about 15 degrees Fahrenheit, road salt’s effectiveness drastically drops, so switching to calcium chloride or magnesium chloride may be a better solution to icy roads. Here’s the science behind the glaze and what it means for your drive.

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