--- title: Moving in Winter in the Sierra: Passes and Plans url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-in-winter/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Moving in winter in the Sierra # Moving in winter in the Sierra and Northern Nevada Winter moves in the Reno area depend on the mountain passes: Interstate 80 climbs above 7,000 feet at Donner Summit, and chain controls or closures can change a plan overnight. Build in a spare day, check road conditions on the morning of the move, and use storage in transit if a storm holds the truck. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) Reno itself sits in a high-desert valley with cold nights and occasional snow, but the roads that connect it with California cross the Sierra. A winter storm there decides whether a long-distance move runs on time. This guide covers what changes between December and March for moves inside the valley and for moves that cross the mountains. ## Check the passes The two sources most people use are the Nevada Department of Transportation's road-conditions site, NVRoads, and Caltrans, which publishes chain-control requirements for California highways. Chain controls come in levels, and vehicles without chains may be turned back. A moving truck in a chain control often needs chains on its drive wheels, which slows the whole trip. The National Weather Service office in Reno posts forecasts and winter-storm watches for the Sierra and for the Reno area. Check them the day before and on the morning of the move. ## Build slack into the schedule Your delivery window comes from your written estimate. In winter, treat that window as a range, not a date, and keep your own plans flexible: a spare night in your old home, a hotel booking you can change, and a few days of clothes in the car. Ask the estimator how a storm delay would be handled, and what happens to your goods if the road closes. ## Storage in transit as a backup If a pass closes or the new home is not ready, goods can wait. Storage in transit holds a shipment in a warehouse until delivery can go ahead. Read [what is storage in transit](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-is-storage-in-transit/) for how it works, and see [short-term storage between moves](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/storage-between-moves/) at O'Brien's Sparks warehouse. ## Snow and ice at the house - Shovel and salt or sand the driveway, steps and walk before the crew arrives. - Clear a place where the truck can park, and ask neighbors to keep cars off the street. - Put floor runners or cardboard down so wet boots do not slip or track water inside. - Keep the heat on at both homes so pipes stay safe and furniture adjusts slowly. - Let delicate items such as wood furniture, electronics and instruments warm to room temperature before use. ## Winter at Lake Tahoe Moves to and from Truckee, Incline Village and the South Shore face more snow and steeper roads than the valley. Read [moving at Lake Tahoe in winter](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-at-lake-tahoe-in-winter/) and [winter driving and chain control](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/winter-driving/) before you pick a date. ## Pick the day with care Mid-week days often have lighter traffic on the roads, and mornings give more daylight and more room to adjust. If your date is flexible, leave early in the week so a storm on the weekend does not catch the move. For a month-by-month view of the weather, see [moving in Reno in January](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-in-january/) and [the best time of year to move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/best-time-to-move/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [Nevada DOT, NVRoads road conditions](https://www.nvroads.com/) - [Caltrans, Chain controls](https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips/chain-controls) - [National Weather Service, Reno](https://www.weather.gov/rev/) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Winter driving and chain controls around Reno and Tahoe](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/winter-driving/) - [What is storage in transit?](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-is-storage-in-transit/) - [Moving at Lake Tahoe and Truckee in winter](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-at-lake-tahoe-in-winter/) - [The best time of year to move in Northern Nevada](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/best-time-to-move/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Moving to high altitude](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-high-altitude/) - [Downsizing for seniors](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/downsizing-for-seniors/) - [Moving a parent to assisted living](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-a-parent-to-assisted-living/) - [Handling an estate move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/estate-moves/) - [Moving for a new job](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-for-a-new-job/) - [Moving into your first apartment](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-apartment-move/) - [Getting furniture ready for home staging](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-and-home-staging/) - [What is FF&E?](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-is-ffe/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Do movers work in snow? Storms that close roads can delay a move, so ask the estimator how a delay would be handled. Your written estimate sets the delivery window. ### Where can I check chain controls? Caltrans publishes chain controls for California highways, and NVRoads covers Nevada road conditions. ### What if the new home is not ready in winter? Goods can wait in storage in transit or in short-term storage until the home is ready. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) E Edward G. September 14, 2025 James and the crew were terrific. N Nicole B. June 25, 2025 The crew worked extremely hard and treated our belongings with care. Customer service was outstanding leading up to, during, and after move. Thank you! C Charles C. May 31, 2025 Great company, I'd highly recommend for any move!!! ### Owner's reply Charles, It was a pleasure working with you on your moves. We hope your trip is amazing and if you ever come back our way, we will be happy to help. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to complete this review on our behalf. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070