The 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour is Underway

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The Christmas spirit hit the road on October 29, when the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour officially got underway. With a team of drivers behind the wheel of a customized Kenworth T680 truck, the “People’s Tree” is making its way safely to Washington, D.C.

Featuring a new graphic design, the Kenworth T680 will transport the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Idaho to Washington, D.C. This year’s truck design pays tribute to the theme “Over the River and Through the Woods,” featuring a scenic snow-covered river winding through Idaho’s national forests.

The Christmas Tree Tour kicked off in Grangeville, Idaho, and will cover more than 2,000 miles, giving communities along the route an opportunity to see the 2026 tree: a 76-foot Engelmann spruce harvested from the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The tour will conclude on November 20, when the tree is delivered to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

Who Is Transporting the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree?

As it does every year, the honor of transporting the People’s Tree is entrusted to drivers with outstanding records of excellence and distinguished careers in the trucking industry. Boise Cascade was selected as this year’s tree transportation partner, following a recommendation from Kenworth Truck Company. Headquartered in Boise, Idaho, Boise Cascade is a leading manufacturer and distributor of building materials, engineered wood products, and construction materials throughout North America.

The drivers selected by Boise Cascade this year are:

• Monte Cook of Spokane, Washington: A veteran truck driver and Boise Cascade operations leader with 33 years of experience and nearly 3 million miles driven.
• Phil Cramer of Laurel, Montana: A Boise Cascade operations manager who has logged 1.5 million safe driving miles over his 22-year career and demonstrated a strong commitment to community service.
• Fred Holmes of Salmon, Idaho: A former Boise Cascade driver and current product manager with more than 20 years of industry experience.
• Tianne Larrimer of Sugar Land, Texas: A logistics professional with a military background and more than 30 years of experience spanning Army service, heavy-haul transportation, and flatbed trucking.

The Kenworth T680 is equipped with a 76-inch sleeper cab and a PACCAR powertrain, including the PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission, and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles. The truck also features the latest driver assistance technologies, including Kenworth DigitalVision mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with stop-and-go functionality, and torque-assisted steering lane keeping assistance, according to Kenworth’s announcement. In addition, the truck includes the latest driver comfort amenities, such as a factory-installed refrigerator, a rotating worktable, and storage space for everyday essentials, bringing the comforts of home to the road.

2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour Route

For the third consecutive year, Kenworth will provide real-time GPS location tracking of the Christmas tree as it makes its way across the country. Powered by PACCAR Connect, a new factory-integrated platform offering telematics, productivity tools, and fleet applications, the truck will provide enhanced connectivity throughout the journey, Kenworth said.

Below is the current public schedule for the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour:

• Thursday, October 29: Grangeville, Idaho
• Friday, October 30: Lewiston, Idaho
• Saturday, October 31: Moscow, Idaho
• Sunday, November 1: Orofino, Idaho, and Kamiah, Idaho
• Tuesday, November 3: Lolo, Montana
• Wednesday, November 4: Salmon, Idaho
• Thursday, November 5: Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, and Twin Falls, Idaho
• Friday, November 6: Idaho Falls, Idaho
• Saturday, November 7: Gardiner, Montana
• Monday, November 9: Sheridan, Wyoming
• Tuesday, November 10: Custer, South Dakota
• Thursday, November 12: Mitchell, South Dakota, and Albert Lea, Minnesota
• Friday, November 13: Peoria, Illinois
• Saturday, November 14: Richmond, Indiana
• Monday, November 16: Morgantown, West Virginia
• Tuesday, November 17: Hagerstown, Maryland, and Littlestown, Pennsylvania
• Thursday, November 19: Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (access restricted to military ID holders)

A tree-lighting ceremony will take place in early December, hosted by the Architect of the Capitol in coordination with the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.