--- title: Moving to High Altitude: Reno, Tahoe and Beyond url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-high-altitude/ 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 to high altitude # Moving to high altitude Reno sits near 4,500 feet and Lake Tahoe's shore near 6,200 feet, high enough that most people notice drier air, stronger sun and a little breathlessness in the first days. Drink water, go easy on the first day of lifting, and expect cooking, car tires and sealed packages to behave a bit differently. 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/) People moving from sea level to northern Nevada often ask whether altitude matters. For healthy people at Reno's elevation, the effects are usually mild and short, and the planning is simple. The elevations get higher around the lake and in the mountains, and there it helps to know what to expect. This guide covers the body first, then the car, the kitchen and the boxes. ## What the CDC says about altitude The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes altitude illness as a concern at high elevation, with the risk rising above about 8,000 feet. Reno is below that line, and the Lake Tahoe shore is lower than it too, but trips to the mountain passes and ski areas can climb higher. Headache, tiredness and trouble sleeping in the first days are the common complaints. People with heart or lung conditions, and anyone who has had trouble at elevation, should speak with a doctor before the move. ## Take the first days easy - Drink more water than you usually do. The air is dry, and you lose moisture faster. - Skip alcohol for the first night or two. - Plan lighter lifting on the first day, and let the crew carry the heavy items. - Use sunscreen and sunglasses, since the sun is stronger at elevation. - Sleep well, and eat regular meals. ## Your car Tire pressure rises or falls with the temperature and the elevation of the places you drive, so check the pressure after you arrive. Modern engines adjust automatically. Brakes get more work on mountain descents, so use a lower gear on long downgrades. A winter-ready set of tires is worth thinking about before the first storm. See [winter driving and chain control](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/winter-driving/). ## Your kitchen Water boils at a lower temperature as the elevation rises. At 4,500 feet it boils roughly 9 degrees Fahrenheit below the sea-level figure, so pasta, rice and beans take longer, and many baking recipes need adjustments. The packages carry high-altitude directions, and a dry-climate cook will quickly learn the changes. ## Your belongings Sealed bags of chips, spray cans and some sealed containers puff up or leak when they travel to a higher elevation. Pack aerosols in a box that can contain a leak and open sealed food carefully. Wood furniture, guitars, pianos and leather can react to dry air. A dry home may need a humidifier. See [living at 4,500 feet](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/altitude/) for the Reno details. ## Pets and plants Most pets adapt without help. Plants from humid places lose leaves in the dry air for a while. [Moving with plants](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-plants/) and [moving with dogs](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-with-dogs/) cover both. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [CDC Yellow Book, Altitude illness](https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/environmental-hazards-risks/high-altitude-travel-and-altitude-illness.html) - [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 - [Living at 4,500 feet: altitude and moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/altitude/) - [Reno weather and climate by month](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/weather-and-climate/) - [Moving to Lake Tahoe: North Shore vs South Shore](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/moving-to-lake-tahoe/) - [Moving with plants (and state plant rules)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-plants/) Moving guides ## Read next - [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/) - [Hotel renovation FF&E logistics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/hotel-renovation-ffe-logistics/) 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/). ### Will I get altitude sickness in Reno? Reno is around 4,500 feet. Most healthy people notice only dry air and mild tiredness, if anything. Talk with your doctor if you have a heart or lung condition. ### Is Lake Tahoe higher than Reno? Yes. The lake surface is near 6,200 feet, about 1,700 feet above Reno. ### Do I need to change my cooking at 4,500 feet? Boiling temperature drops, so cooking times lengthen. Packaged foods print high-altitude directions. ## 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) N Nadine K. May 15, 2025 The guys were very friendly and hard working. Would definitely use them again! ### Owner's reply Nadine, We are pleased you chose us for your move, it was a pleasure working with you! We are extremely happy the move was a success. G Greg S. January 22, 2025 3 O'Brien movers came down from Reno to South Lake Tahoe to assist our company moving a lot of big furniture out of a large warehouse. They showed up on-time, were friendly, and were professional and got the job done quickly and diligently. Will definitely use them again. ### Owner's reply Thanks for the great review Greg! We really appreciate you taking the time to do that for us. We look forward to working with you again! B Bruce E. December 25, 2024 My family moved exclusively with Bekins when I was young and O'Brien's made it a pleasure to return to this fine local company. I would be pleased to have any members of O'Brien's as friends and highly recommend O'Brien's to anyone needing the services they provide! ### Owner's reply Bruce thank you so much for taking the time to review our company. It was an extreme pleasure to work for you, please do not hesitate to call us for any help you need in the future. ## 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