I use the same off road rating system as Trails Off Road.
| Rate | Description | Trails Off Road Details | OnX Rating Description |
| 1 | Suitable for high clearance 2WD |
Stock equipment is sufficient and no special equipment is needed. Dirt and/or rocky road. Potential challenges and/or obstacles less than 5", such as rocks, dips, or ruts. Slight grades with good traction. |
Dirt or rocky road with gentle grades. Safe for most 4WD and high-clearance 2WD vehicles. Roads are typically two vehicles wide. |
| 2 | Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD |
Stock equipment is sufficient, but terrain will likely test tire traction and ground clearance. Dirt and/or rocky road. Potential challenges and/or obstacles less than 9", such as rocks, dips, or ruts. Can be steep but with good traction. |
Dirt or rocky road, typically unmaintained after rain or snow. You may encounter shallow water crossings and obstacles under 12” on the trail, including small ledges. Roads are typically one to two vehicles wide. |
| 3 | Best suited for a high clearance 4x4 |
Stock vehicles with high ground clearance, 4WD capability, and off-road tires. Typically, more rock or undulated road surface. Potential challenges and/or obstacles less than 12", such as ledges, drops, climbs, or water crossings. Careful tire placement may be needed. Can be steep or loose. |
Uneven, rutted dirt trail with potential for loose rocks and sandy washes. Water crossings less than a foot deep. Potential for mud holes and trail obstacles up to 12”, including ledges and short, steep grades. Roads are typically one vehicle wide with places to pass. |
| 4 | Typically challenges the limits of a high clearance 4x4 |
Low-range gearing needed. Undercarriage damage is a possibility. Typically, the road surface is more rock or undulated. Potential challenges and/or obstacles under 18", such as ledges, drops, climbs, or water crossings, require careful tire placement. The road can be steep, loose, and slightly off-camber. |
Uneven, rutted dirt trail with loose rocks, sand, erosion, and washes. Potential water crossings up to a foot deep, mud holes, and obstacles up to 18”, including ledges and short, steep grades. Roads are typically one vehicle wide with places to pass. |
| 5 | Best suited for a lightly modified 4x4 |
Small lift and larger than stock tires. Skid plates and rock sliders recommended. Rocky, rutted, or undulated road surface. Potential challenges and/or obstacles less than 2 feet tall, such as ledges, drops, climbs, or water crossings. Careful tire placement necessary. Can be steep, loose, and off-camber. |
Uneven, rutted dirt trail with loose rocks, sand, erosion, and washes. Potential water crossings up to 18” deep, mud holes, and obstacles up to 2 feet, including ledges and short, steep grades. |
| 6 | Typically challenges the limits of a lightly modified 4x4 |
Lockers and winches recommended. Likelihood of getting stuck is high. Vehicle damage possible. Frequently rocky, rutted, or undulated road surface. Potential challenges and/or obstacles less than 3 feet tall, such as ledges, drops, or water crossings. Careful tire placement necessary. Terrain will be steep, loose, or off-camber. |
Very rocky, rutted and off-camber trail with erosion, loose rocks, sand, washes and obstacles up to 3 feet tall, including ledges and short, steep grades. Potential for deep water crossings with strong currents. |
| 7 | Best suited for a highly modified 4x4 |
Maximum ground clearance and excellent articulation required. Lockers and winches are used often. Body damage likely. Very rocky, rutted, or undulated road surface. Challenges and/or obstacles less than 5 feet tall, such as ledges and drops, or near-vertical grades up to 10' tall. Substantial water crossings and/or deep mud. Tire placement becomes critical—significant traction loss with steep, loose, and off-camber terrain. |
Off-camber trail with deep holes and large rocks that may exceed axle height. Expect erosion, loose rocks, sand, washes, shelves, and deep mud holes. Obstacles and ledges up to 5 feet, and near-vertical grades 8-10 feet tall. Potential for water crossings with strong currents. Caution: Vehicle damage and roll-overs are possible. |
| 8 | Typically challenges the limits of a highly modified 4x4 |
Large tires and rollover protection required. Spare parts recommended. Body damage and rollovers probable. Very rocky, rutted, and undulated road surface. Challenges and/or obstacles less than 7 feet tall, such as ledges, drops, and undercuts, or near-vertical grades up to 14' tall. Substantial water crossings and/or deep mud. Technical tire placement required—severe traction loss with steep, loose, and off-camber terrain. |
Off-camber trail with deep holes and large rocks that may exceed axle height. Expect erosion, loose rocks, sand, washes, shelves, and deep mud holes. Obstacles and ledges up to 6 feet, and near-vertical grades 12-14 feet tall. Potential for deep water crossings with strong currents. Caution: Vehicle damage and roll-overs are very possible. |
| 9 | Best suited for specialized buggy type vehicles |
Largest tires possible. Rarely completed unassisted. Vehicle damage and rollovers are highly likely. Consistent challenges and/or obstacles up to 10' tall, such as ledges, drops, and undercuts, or near-vertical grades up to 18' tall. Very poor traction. Technical tire placement is required, as it is extremely steep and off-camber. |
These roads and trails are for the most advanced off-roaders only. Off-camber trail with deep holes and large rocks that may exceed axle height. Expect erosion, loose rocks, sand, washes, shelves, and deep mud holes. Obstacles and ledges up to 8 feet and near-vertical grades 15-18 feet tall. Potential for deep water crossings with strong currents. Caution: Vehicle damage and roll-overs are likely. |
| 10 | Typically challenges specialized buggy vehicles |
Body damage guaranteed. Tube chassis recommended. Rollovers common. Winching Required. Challenges and/or obstacles more than 10' tall, such as ledges and undercuts, and/or near-vertical grades more than 18' feet tall. Very poor traction. Extremely steep and off-camber. |
Extreme caution! Recommended only for very experienced off-roaders with heavily modified vehicles. Severe grades and off-camber terrain. Expect obstacles exceeding 10 feet and near-vertical grades over 18 feet. Caution: Vehicle damage and roll-overs are extremely likely. |