A Kenworth T680 departed the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Idaho this week to deliver the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a 76-foot Engelmann spruce. This marks the 13th year a Kenworth is delivering the tree.
News/Media Release・Staff
Read News/Media’s Posts
October 30, 2026
4 min to read
- A Kenworth T680 is transporting the 76-foot Engelmann spruce selected as the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
- The journey began at the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Idaho.
- This event marks the 13th consecutive year a Kenworth vehicle has been used to deliver the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
A Kenworth T680, sporting a newly installed graphics wrap, will transport the 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree from the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Idaho to Washington, D.C. The truck’s design celebrates the theme “Over the River and Through the Woods” with a background of a picturesque snow-covered river winding through Idaho’s national forests.
The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree tour began Oct. 29 in Grangeville, Idaho. The tour will conclude on Nov. 20 when it is delivered to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building.
Along the more than 2,000-mile journey, communities will have an opportunity to view the “People’s Tree,” a 76-foot Engelmann spruce harvested from the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, sign commemorative banners attached to its extra-long trailer, learn about Idaho’s National Forests, and share in the holiday spirit.
The truck pulling this year’s tree is a specially decaled Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the Paccar powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission, and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles.
The T680 also includes the latest in driver assistance systems, including Kenworth’s DigitalVision Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Auto Go, and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering.
The 76-inch sleeper features a Diamond VIT interior in charcoal with high-quality leather driver and passenger seats with titanium accents that are fully heated and cooled. The Kenworth T680 also includes the latest in driver amenities, including a factory-installed refrigerator, a rotating work table, and space for the everyday conveniences that bring the comforts of home to the road.
Tracking the Christmas Tree’s Trip
For the third year, Kenworth will provide real-time GPS location tracking of the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree as it travels across the country. Powered by Paccar Connect, a new factory-integrated environment that brings telematics, productivity tools, and fleet applications, the truck will provide enhanced connectivity throughout the journey. The tree’s journey can be trackede
Boise Cascade was chosen as the hauler for this year’s tree at the recommendation of Kenworth Truck Company. Boise Cascade, headquartered in Boise, Idaho, is a leading manufacturer and distributor of building materials, engineered wood products, and construction materials in North America.
Drivers That Will Haul the Tree
This year, Boise Cascade appointed four drivers to transport the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree.
Monte Cook (Spokane, Washington) is a veteran truck driver and Boise Cascade operations leader with 33 years of experience and nearly 3 million miles on the road.
Phil Cramer (Laurel, Montana) is a Boise Cascade operations manager whose 22-year career includes 1.5 million safe driving miles and a strong commitment to community service.
Fred Holmes (Salmon, Idaho) is a former Boise Cascade driver and current product manager with more than 20 years of industry experience.
Tianne Larrimer (Sugar Land, Texas) is a military-trained logistics professional with 30+ years of experience spanning Army service, heavy hauling, and flatbed transportation.
Boise Cascade will haul the tree, while Alaska Airlines will help transport thousands of handmade ornaments created by Idahoans.
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour Schedule
Below is the current 2026 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour public schedule. Festivities are free and open to the public. Dates and locations include:
- Thursday, Oct. 29: Grangeville, Idaho
- Friday, Oct. 30: Lewiston, Idaho
- Saturday, Oct. 31: Moscow, Idaho
- Sunday, Nov. 1: Orofino, Idaho and Kamiah, Idaho
- Tuesday, Nov. 3: Lolo, Montana
- Wednesday, Nov. 4: Salmon, Idaho
- Thursday, Nov. 5: Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho and Twin Falls, Idaho
- Friday, Nov. 6: Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Saturday, Nov. 7: Gardiner, Montana
- Monday, Nov. 9: Sheridan, Wyoming
- Tuesday, Nov. 10: Custer, South Dakota
- Thursday, Nov. 12: Mitchell, South Dakota and Albert Lea, Minnesota
- Friday, Nov. 13: Peoria, Illinois
- Saturday, Nov. 14: Richmond, Indiana
- Monday, Nov. 16: Morgantown, West Virginia
- Tuesday, Nov. 17: Hagerstown, Maryland and Littlestown, Pennsylvania
- Thursday, Nov. 19: Joint Base Andrews, Maryland (military ID access only)
Tree Lighting Ceremony
In early December, a tree lighting ceremony will take place, hosted by the Architect of the Capitol in coordination with the U.S. Speaker of the House.
Vehicle Insights•byNews/Media Release•October 26, 2026
Workhorse Partners with Tristan Fleet Management to Sell and Service Electric W56 Step Vans in Canada
Workhorse’s first Canadian dealer partnership, with Tristan Fleet Management, builds on five years of selling electric step vans in Canada.
GM Launches Manufacturing Futures Under its $50M Commitment to Michigan
General Motors’ new initiative, Manufacturing Futures, will connect 2,800 Michigan middle school students each year with advanced manufacturing education and career pathways.
Vehicle Insights•byLauren Fletcher•October 23, 2026
Ford Super Duty Fleet Guide Specs Capability and 2027 Updates
Explore 2027 Ford Super Duty fleet specs, gas and diesel engines, towing, payload, configurations, work features, technology, and model-year updates.
From Our Partners
How AI Video Telematics Boosts Driver Safety and Helps to Avoid Unnecessary Costs
At a time when supply chain issues and workforce shortages abound, fleet-dependent organizations across a variety of industries must protect drivers and the business against unnecessary costs and potential safety issues.
Safety & Compliance•byStaff•October 22, 2026
Re-rating Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings (GVWR): Why and How it’s Done
Sometimes, it is not in a fleet’s best interests to have a vehicle at a given GVWR. Changing the GVWR to a special value can be done, but the process is complicated.
Vehicle Insights•byLauren Fletcher•October 20, 2026
Which Pickup Trucks Last 250,000 Miles? 2026 Rankings Revealed
Which pickup trucks are most likely to reach 250,000 miles? The 2026 iSeeCars study ranks 12 long-lasting models, with Ram, Toyota, GMC, and Ford among the leaders.
Vehicle Insights•byNews/Media Release•October 19, 2026
Peterbilt Showcasing Transportation Innovations at ATA MCE
Peterbilt showcased Paccar Connect and exhibited several trucks during the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Management Conference & Exhibition (MCE).
Vehicle Insights•byWayne Parham•October 14, 2026
Volvo Unveils New VNX Vocational Truck & Off-Road Capable Tractor
Volvo Trucks has launched the VNX, a new vocational truck designed for on- and off-road use, and available in three variants. It is powered by the D13 platform, which delivers up to 540 horsepower and 1,950 pound-feet of torque and is EPA 2027 compliant.
Vehicle Insights•byLauren Fletcher•October 12, 2026
Truckers’ Strike Rumors, Electric Fleet Lessons, and GM’s New Duramax Lead This Week’s News
Truckers’ strike rumors, Republic Services’ electric fleet lessons, GM’s new 8.3L Duramax, van upfitting, Ford Pro used trucks, and more headline this week’s Truck Chat Cheat Sheet.
Vehicle Insights•October 5, 2026
Morgan Olson Launches North America’s Longest Working Step Van Challenge
Morgan Olson has launched North America’s Longest Working Step Van Challenge, a new customer campaign to find the longest-working qualifying Morgan Olson or Grumman step van actively delivering packages for an independent service provider contracted by FedEx.
Vehicle Insights•byLauren Fletcher•October 1, 2026
Ford Transit Fleet Guide Specs Capability and 2027 Model-Year Updates
Explore 2027 Ford Transit fleet specs, engines, payload and towing capability, cargo configurations, work features, technology, and model-year updates.
