Moving in January in Reno and Sparks

January is the quietest month of the year for many movers in Northern Nevada, and that is the main reason people choose it. Calendars have room, the holidays are over, and a mid-month sunrise near 7:18 am means the day starts later than in summer. The weather table printed on this page comes from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals for Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

What 25.7 freezing mornings mean for moving day

A month with 25.7 days at or below freezing is a month where nearly every morning begins with frost. Driveways, porch steps and the ramp at an apartment building can hold ice until the sun reaches them, and the sun is low in January. Walk your own path the evening before and again at first light, and salt or sand the spots where a mover will carry furniture.

Average snowfall at the airport is 5.2 inches for the month, spread over about 3.4 days with measurable snow. That is light compared with the Sierra, but a single storm can still change a day. Keep your phone number current with your estimator so a weather call can reach you early.

Daylight is short, so organize the house

At the Sparks warehouse the sun rises about 7:18 am and sets about 4:58 pm in mid-January, roughly 9.7 hours of light. Loading a trailer in the dark is slower and harder on everyone, so aim to have every room tagged, every box closed and the hallways cleared before the crew arrives.

Put lamps on in each room the night before so rooms are easy to read. Leave exterior lights on, and move your cars off the street or out of the driveway so the truck can park close.

Why January suits some moves

• Lease endings and new job starts often land on the first of the year, so ask early if your date is January 1 to 15.
• Vault storage is easy to plan after the holidays; see how the 7 ft x 7 ft x 5 ft wooden vaults work.
• Retirees and downsizers often use the slow weeks to sort a house at an unhurried pace; see downsizing for seniors.
• A free in-home estimate comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes you keep, which is a good start on a winter packing weekend.

Roads and mountain passes

Reno to Sparks and Carson City is normally clear enough for trucks in January. Going over the Sierra is different. California uses three chain control levels, and R-1 through R-3 can be posted on Interstate 80 over Donner Summit or on US 50 near South Lake Tahoe. Caltrans says you must stop and install chains when signs require them, and the speed limit under chain control is 25 or 30 miles an hour.

For Nevada roads, check Nevada 511 before you leave. If your move crosses a pass, ask your estimator how the schedule adapts; the written estimate sets your delivery window, and a closed road can shift it.