--- title: Living at 4,500 Feet: Altitude and Moving to Reno url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/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 to Reno and Sparks: the complete guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/) - Living at 4,500 feet: altitude and moving # Living at 4,500 feet: altitude and moving O'Brien's Sparks warehouse sits at 4,437 feet, and most of Reno's valley neighborhoods fall between 4,395 and 4,750 feet. Higher neighborhoods such as Caughlin Ranch (5,169 feet) and Galena and Montreux (6,286 feet) are well above that. 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 is not a mountain town, but it is high. For someone arriving from Sacramento, which sits at about 27 feet, the climb on the drive in covers more than 7,000 feet at Donner Summit before dropping to the valley. This page uses the U.S. Geological Survey elevation data to show how high each part of the area is, and then translates that into practical advice for a household moving up. ## How high the neighborhoods are The elevations below are USGS 3D Elevation Program values at the reference point used for each area, so they are good for comparison and not a survey of any one lot. | Area | Elevation (feet) | | --- | --- | | Southeast Reno | 4,395 | | O'Brien's warehouse, Sparks | 4,437 | | Downtown and Midtown Reno | 4,497 | | Old Southwest Reno | 4,617 | | Northwest Reno and Somersett | 5,008 | | Caughlin Ranch | 5,169 | | Galena and Montreux | 6,286 | A neighborhood a few miles uphill can differ by a thousand feet from downtown, which affects snowfall as well as air pressure. Homes on the west side of the valley see snow settle more often than homes near the airport. ## The first days Lower air pressure means less oxygen per breath, and some people feel it as a headache, poor sleep or shortness of breath on stairs for the first days. It is common, and it usually fades as the body adjusts. Drinking water, easing into hard exercise and avoiding heavy meals the first evening are the usual suggestions. Anyone with a heart or lung condition should ask their own doctor before moving to a higher elevation, and moving day itself is a physical day, so pace the lifting. ## What changes for your belongings Sealed bags and bottles expand a little as they come up from a lower elevation, so cap liquids loosely, double-bag shampoo and keep food in sealed containers. Cooking and baking can need new timings, because water boils at a lower temperature at 4,500 feet. Houseplants and wood furniture meet very dry air, as the [weather page](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/weather-and-climate/) shows. Pressurized aerosol cans and similar hazardous items are on the list of things movers cannot carry, and the [what movers will not move guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-movers-will-not-move/) spells out the rest. The [high altitude moving guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-high-altitude/) gives a packing checklist. ## The drive in The usual I-80 route from Sacramento crosses Donner Summit at about 7,200 feet by USGS data. Cars lose some power at elevation, and brakes work harder on the way down the eastern side. The [winter driving page](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/winter-driving/) covers chain controls and weather. If you are moving into the hills, remember that the storms that leave rain in the valley can leave snow above 5,000 feet. ## A short list - Keep a first-night box with water bottles, snacks and any medications you use. - Plan lighter work the first afternoon, or ask the crew to place boxes by room so you can unpack at your pace. - Check tire pressure after the drive up, since cold mornings lower it. - Move plants last and unwrap them out of direct sun. - Give pets water and a quiet spot during the transfer. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [USGS, 3D Elevation Program](https://www.usgs.gov/3d-elevation-program) - [National Weather Service Reno](https://www.weather.gov/rev/) - [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 to high altitude](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-to-high-altitude/) - [Winter driving and chain controls around Reno and Tahoe](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/winter-driving/) - [Reno weather and climate by month](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/weather-and-climate/) - [Movers in Galena, Montreux and the Mt. Rose Highway (89511)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/areas/galena-montreux/) Moving to Reno guides ## Read next - [Winter driving and chain controls around Reno and Tahoe](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/winter-driving/) - [Wildfire smoke season: what newcomers should know](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/wildfire-smoke-season/) - [Reno housing: owning vs renting (Census data)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/housing-market/) - [Jobs and the Reno economy (BLS data)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/jobs-and-economy/) - [Commuting and RTC transit](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/commuting-and-transit/) - [Reno and Sparks neighborhoods by ZIP code](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/neighborhoods/) - [Pros and cons of living in Reno](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/pros-and-cons/) - [Reno vs Las Vegas](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/reno-vs-las-vegas/) 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/). ### How high is Reno? The valley neighborhoods sit between about 4,395 and 4,750 feet, with the O'Brien's warehouse at 4,437 feet. ### Will I notice the altitude? Some newcomers notice it for the first days. It is common and usually fades. Ask your doctor if you have a heart or lung condition. ### Does altitude affect moving day? It makes heavy lifting feel harder for people not yet used to it, which is one reason to let professionals carry the load and to pace your own work. ## 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) 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. 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! ## 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