--- title: Winter Driving Around Reno and Tahoe: Chains and Passes url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/winter-driving/ 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/) - Winter driving and chain controls around Reno and Tahoe # Winter driving and chain controls around Reno and Tahoe Reno averages 20.9 inches of snow a year and about 14 snow days, but the I-80 route to California climbs to about 7,200 feet at Donner Summit, where winter conditions are far harsher than in the valley. When chain controls are posted, you must stop and install chains where the signs say. 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/) The city streets of Reno and Sparks are plowed and usually manageable, so most of the winter driving advice for newcomers is about the mountains. The Sierra Nevada is the way to Sacramento, the Bay Area and Lake Tahoe, and a household that arrives in December should plan for the pass before it plans for the valley. ## Snow in the valley versus snow on the pass The NOAA normals for Reno-Tahoe International Airport show 20.9 inches of snow a year, with 5.2 inches each in December, January and February. Snow of at least a tenth of an inch falls on about 14 days a year, and the airport records a freezing low on about 122 nights. Those numbers describe the valley floor. Donner Summit on I-80 sits at about 7,200 feet by USGS elevation, roughly 2,800 feet above O'Brien's Sparks warehouse. Storms that leave rain in Reno can drop snow on the pass, and the road can slow or close while the weather clears. Seasonal closures are routine on the smaller passes: the Caltrans winter driving page lists yearly closure dates for Ebbetts, Monitor, Sonora and Tioga passes. ## How chain controls work Caltrans explains that when chain controls are established in California's mountains, signs along the road indicate the requirement. You must stop and put chains on when the signs say chains are required, and you can be cited by the California Highway Patrol and fined if you do not. There is usually about a mile between the Chains Required signs and the checkpoint where the requirement applies, and the speed limit when chains are required is 25 or 30 miles an hour. Chains must be installed on the drive wheels, so you need to know whether your vehicle is front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. Caltrans advises carrying chains that fit your tires and practicing the installation once in a dry driveway. Chain installers, where they operate, are independent businesses and not state employees, and they cannot sell or rent chains. ## Check before you go - Look at Nevada 511 (nvroads.com) for Nevada roads and Caltrans QuickMap for California chain controls, closures and cameras. - Check the National Weather Service Reno forecast for the pass, not just the valley. - Fill the tank before the climb, because delays and detours happen in storms. - Carry chains, a scraper and brush, a shovel, gloves, water, snacks and a blanket. - Leave extra time. Caltrans notes that trips to the mountains can take longer in winter. ## Safe habits on snow and ice Caltrans' advice is to slow down, since a highway speed of 65 can be unsafe on snow and ice, to leave more distance, and to avoid sudden stops and quick direction changes. Bridge decks and shady spots can be icy when other areas are not. Stay at least four car lengths behind snowplows and do not pass them unless you must. If you stall, stay with your vehicle and run the engine only as needed, checking that the exhaust is clear. ## If your move crosses a pass in winter A winter move from California is common, and it is as ordinary as a summer one with a little more watching of the forecast. Your written estimate sets your delivery window, so ask your estimator how a storm day would be handled before you book. Keep your own essentials with you in the car, not on the truck: medications, documents, a phone charger and a few days of clothing. The [moving in winter guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-in-winter/) covers loading at the origin, the [mountain pass data page](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/data/mountain-passes/) lists the passes by route, and the [altitude page](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/altitude/) describes how elevation changes the drive. Truckee and Lake Tahoe households can read the [Tahoe area page](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/areas/lake-tahoe-and-truckee/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [Caltrans, Winter Driving Tips](https://dot.ca.gov/travel/winter-driving-tips) - [Nevada 511 traveler information](https://www.nvroads.com/) - [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 in winter in the Sierra](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-in-winter/) - [Mountain passes and winter chain controls on moving routes](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/data/mountain-passes/) - [Reno weather and climate by month](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/weather-and-climate/) - [Living at 4,500 feet: altitude and moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/altitude/) Moving to Reno guides ## Read next - [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/) - [Reno vs Sacramento](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/moving-to-reno/reno-vs-sacramento/) 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 much snow does Reno get? The airport station averages 20.9 inches a year. The mountains around the city get much more. ### Do I need chains in Reno? Rarely in the valley, but carry them if you cross the Sierra. Chain controls can be posted on I-80 and other mountain routes, and you must install chains when signs require them. ### Where do I check road conditions? Nevada 511 covers Nevada roads, and Caltrans QuickMap shows California chain controls, closures and cameras. ## 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) 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. L Leticia H. November 1, 2024 O'Brien's Moving and Storage packing crew were great!! They were fast, friendly and most importantly, very professional. Thank you guys. M Michelle C. August 28, 2024 Extremely happy with the moving experience. The moving team showed up on time, friendly and polite. They did a wonderful job moving our boxes and furniture to the new location. We moved a three bedroom home and I could not be more pleased with the employees who assisted with the move. Highly recommend O'Brien moving for your move. ### Owner's reply Michelle, thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. We are so happy to hear about the move experience you had with our company and glad to know we met your expectations! It means a lot to us to know that. Thank you for choosing us as your moving partner. ## 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