--- title: Moving from Grass Valley to Reno | O'Brien's Moving url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/routes/grass-valley-to-reno/ 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 --- Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Long-distance moving as a Bekins agent](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/) - [Long-distance routes to and from Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/routes/) - Moving from Grass Valley and Nevada City to Reno # Moving from Grass Valley and Nevada City to Reno Grass Valley to Reno is about 90 miles, just under two hours of free-flow driving, with 58 miles on I-80 and 29 on CA 20 before the Donner Summit crossing at about 7,200 feet. About 389 people a year moved from Nevada County, California, to Washoe County in the 2016-2020 Census flows. 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/) Grass Valley and Nevada City Reno-Sparks 90 miles by road - Driving time (free-flow) about 1 h 53 min - Days behind the wheel at 500 miles a day 1 - Main roads I-80, CA-20 ## Mountain passes on the way - Donner Summit (I-80) 7,213 ft **Both ends of the move (Census ACS 2020-2024; NOAA normals 1991-2020)** | Measure | Grass Valley and Nevada City | Reno-Sparks | | --- | --- | --- | | Median household income | $51,764 | $87,485 | | Median gross rent | $1,458 | $1,592 | | Median home value | $482,200 | $502,300 | | January average high | 46 F | 48 F | | July average high | 78 F | 94 F | | Snow in a normal year | not published | 20.9 in | - Moved from California to Nevada (2024) about 53,289 - Moved from Nevada to California (2024) about 21,133 - Moved into Washoe County from Nevada County, California, per year about 389 - Moved from Washoe County to them, per year about 28 Data (read 2026-10-19): [OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data, free-flow drive from 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks](https://project-osrm.org/); [U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates](https://www.census.gov/data/developers/data-sets/acs-5year.html); [NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals); [U.S. Census Bureau, State-to-State Migration Flows (ACS 1-year 2024)](https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration/guidance/state-to-state-migration-flows.html); [U.S. Census Bureau, ACS county-to-county migration flows 2016-2020](https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration/guidance/county-to-county-migration-flows.html). Grass Valley is a Sierra foothill city of about 14,100 people at 2,451 feet, in a county where the median gross rent is $1,677 and the median home value is $621,800. The shortest of the foothill routes, it is close enough that many households finish loading in a single morning with the truck on the road by noon. ## The drive: CA 20 down to I-80, then up The route data lists 29 miles on CA 20 and 58 on I-80, about 90 miles in total. CA 20 runs from the Grass Valley and Nevada City area to the interstate; from there I-80 goes up and over the Sierra. Neither road is flat, and moving trucks use lower gears on both. Grass Valley and Nevada City have many older neighborhoods with narrow streets, steep driveways and trees overhanging the lane. The estimator asks about access at the in-home visit, because a full-size van on a one-lane road can need a second small vehicle for shuttling goods. This is the kind of detail that changes the plan, not the price of the miles. The climb to Donner Summit at about 7,200 feet is the only pass. The nearest NOAA station, Blue Canyon, records about 62 inches of precipitation a year, so this is a place where weather arrives early and heavily. Check Caltrans QuickMap and NDOT before a winter move; chain controls come from the highway agencies, and delivery plans account for storms. ## What the miles mean for a move At 90 miles the trip is a short haul for an interstate move, but it crosses a state line, so federal rules apply. Pricing is by weight from the itemized inventory, and the written estimate sets the delivery window. Foothill homes often have sheds, workshops, firewood and generators. Fuel and propane cannot ride on the truck, and our guide to [what movers will not move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-movers-will-not-move/) lists the items in full. ## Cost and climate at both ends Grass Valley city's median gross rent is $1,458 and its median home value is $482,200. Reno city's Census median gross rent and median home value are $1,556 and $548,300, so costs are closer here than on many California routes. The Census reports 389 movers a year from Nevada County into Washoe County, with a margin of error of 159, against about 28 going the other way. The Blue Canyon station records a July high of 77.8. Reno's July high is 93.9 and its yearly precipitation is only 7.35 inches, so expect a drier, sunnier and hotter summer. ## How the move works with O'Brien's You book with O'Brien's, a Bekins agent since 1955 based in Sparks, and we coordinate the move from your Grass Valley address through the Bekins network. Delivery, unpacking and storage are handled in Sparks. Your written estimate sets the delivery window. Local readers can also see our [Grass Valley area page](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/areas/grass-valley/). The free in-home estimate comes with 10 free heavy-duty boxes. ## Getting settled in Reno Many foothill families look at Sparks and the north valleys for a bit more space. See [Reno and Sparks neighborhoods](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/neighborhoods/) and [utilities](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/utilities/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [California Department of Transportation, Caltrans QuickMap](https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/) - [Nevada DOT, NV Roads travel information](https://www.nvroads.com/) - [U.S. Census Bureau, ACS county-to-county migration flows 2016-2020](https://www.census.gov/topics/population/migration/guidance/county-to-county-migration-flows.html) - [NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals) ### Licensed movers U.S. DOT No. 30611 MC-109375 Nevada CPCN 1070 Cal PUC T-90973 (as published by O'Brien's) Bekins Van Lines interstate agent since 1955 [Check our USDOT record](https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp?searchtype=ANY&query_type=queryCarrierSnapshot&query_param=USDOT&query_string=30611) · [Ready to Move? (FMCSA)](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/ReadytoMoveBrochure_2022Update.pdf) [Licenses and authority](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) ### 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 - [Moving from Auburn and Placer County foothills to Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/routes/auburn-to-reno/) - [Movers in Grass Valley](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/areas/grass-valley/) - [Moving to Reno from California](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/from-california/) - [Free in-home moving estimate (plus 10 free heavy-duty boxes)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/free-estimate/) Bekins Van Lines network ## How a long-distance move works with a Bekins agent O'Brien's Moving & Storage has been an agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955. On an interstate move the Bekins network carries your shipment under the van line's interstate system; O'Brien's books the move in either direction. Leaving Northern Nevada, we give the free in-home estimate, pack, store in our Sparks warehouse if you need it, and load. Moving here from another state, you book with us and we coordinate the move from your origin through the Bekins network, then handle delivery, unpacking and storage in Sparks. Your written estimate sets the delivery window. [What being a Bekins agent means](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/bekins-agent/). Your rights on an interstate move ## Federal booklets every interstate mover must give you - [Ready to Move? Tips for a Successful Interstate Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/ReadytoMoveBrochure_2022Update.pdf) (FMCSA) - [Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/sites/fmcsa.dot.gov/files/2023-10/FMCSA_R%26R_Handbook_Web_v1.pdf) (FMCSA) - [Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move): check any mover's USDOT number. Ours is U.S. DOT No. 30611. Next ## Related routes and guides - [Long-distance routes to and from Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/routes/) - [Moving to Reno from California](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/from-california/) - [Moving from Nevada to California](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/nevada-to-california/) - [Moving from Auburn and Placer County foothills to Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/routes/auburn-to-reno/) - [Moving from Placerville and El Dorado County to Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/routes/placerville-to-reno/) - [Moving from Mammoth Lakes and Mono County to Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/routes/mammoth-lakes-to-reno/) - [Moving from Bishop and the Owens Valley to Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/routes/bishop-to-reno/) - [Moving from Calaveras County to Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/routes/calaveras-county-to-reno/) - [Moving from El Centro and Imperial County to Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/long-distance-moving/routes/el-centro-to-reno/) Answers ## Moving from Grass Valley and Nevada City to Reno questions Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### How far is Grass Valley from Reno? About 90 miles, or nearly two hours of free-flow driving. ### Does the route cross a pass? Yes, Donner Summit on I-80 at about 7,200 feet. ### Can storage hold my things after delivery to Sparks? Yes, in vault storage at our Sparks warehouse from $40 per month. ## 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) L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! 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! ## Get a long-distance estimate Tell us where you are going. The estimate for a long-distance move starts with a survey of your Reno-area home. 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