Facts from public sources, not quotes. Where these numbers come from
Home / Cost guide
Everything on this page is an estimate from published sources, not a quote. Homeblue's Truckee estimator lists $50 to $120 a visit for driveway snow removal. We did not find North Shore roof or commercial prices on a live page, so those rows are national figures.
| Service | Estimated range | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Driveway snow removal, one visit | $50–$120 | Homeblue, Truckee page (estimator) |
| Snow blowing | $59–$88 an hour | Homeblue, Truckee page |
| Seasonal package (South Lake Tahoe operator) | $849 LocalsChoice; $1,100–$1,300 driveway only; $1,400–$2,999 premium full service | Tahoe Island Snow Removal, regional reference only |
| Sidewalk or walk shoveling | $25–$75 an hour | HomeGuide, national |
| Roof snow removal | $200–$500 standard; $1,000–$2,000 large or steep | HomeGuide, national |
| Commercial lot | $50–$150 an hour plowing; $80–$200 an hour hauling | HomeGuide, national |
Estimates only, from Homeblue, Tahoe Island Snow Removal and HomeGuide. Truckee prices can be higher or lower. A local crew quotes your property for free.
Your price depends on the size of the area, the equipment it takes, how fast you need it done and how often it snows. In Truckee, three local factors matter: very deep storms, the berm the Town plow leaves at your driveway, and the rule that your snow can't go in the Town right-of-way.
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Area and layout | Long or steep driveways, decks, stairs and tight spots take more time and more machine. |
| Trigger depth | A lower trigger means more visits in a season. |
| Berms | A return pass after the Town plow adds a visit in many storms. |
| Snow storage | Snow has to stay on your property. Tight lots may need piles moved or blown back. |
| Roof work | Roof snow and ice dam work is usually priced separately from the driveway. |
| The winter | Truckee averages 206.6 inches (NOAA), but seasons vary. Per-visit costs rise fast in a heavy winter. |
You can see what the gear costs in the Ice Fighter shop, from roof rakes and pushers to snow blowers and truck spreaders. For HOA lots and commercial sites, the machines, insurance, crews and overnight hours are why contracts exist.
Every fact in the ticker and on our pages comes from one of these public sources. Figures are typical or historical, not promises about your property or the next winter.
| Fact shown | Source | Link |
|---|---|---|
| The Truckee Ranger Station averages 206.6 inches of snow a season (1991–2020 normals) | NOAA | NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Truckee Ranger Station (USC00049043) and Tahoe City (USC00048758) |
| Snowiest months in Truckee: February 47.9 inches, December 44.2, January 43.6 | NOAA | NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Truckee Ranger Station (USC00049043) and Tahoe City (USC00048758) |
| About 41.9 days a year bring 1 inch of snow or more in Truckee | NOAA | NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Truckee Ranger Station (USC00049043) and Tahoe City (USC00048758) |
| Normal January high 41.8°F and low 16.1°F in Truckee | NOAA | NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Truckee Ranger Station (USC00049043) and Tahoe City (USC00048758) |
| Tahoe City averages 179.0 inches of snow a season | NOAA | NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Truckee Ranger Station (USC00049043) and Tahoe City (USC00048758) |
| Median first measurable snow in Truckee: November 2 (our analysis, 1991–2019) | NOAA data | NOAA NCEI, GHCN-Daily records, Truckee Ranger Station (our analysis, 1991–2019) |
| Winter parking ban on Town roads and rights-of-way: November 1 to April 30 | Town of Truckee | Town of Truckee, "Helpful Winter Information" |
| Clearing the plow berm from your driveway is the homeowner’s or resident’s job | Town of Truckee | Town of Truckee, "Helpful Winter Information" |
| The right-of-way is for Town snow storage, not for individuals | Town of Truckee | Town of Truckee, "Helpful Winter Information" |
| No parking on county roads east of Emigrant Gap Nov. 1 to May 1: $150 / $250 / $450 fines | Placer County | Placer County, "Winter parking restrictions" |
| R-3 chain control: chains or traction devices on all vehicles, no exceptions | Caltrans | Caltrans, "Chain Controls" |
| Snow tires need an M+S marking and at least 6/32-inch tread | Caltrans | Caltrans, "Chain Requirements" |
| Truckee driveway snow removal estimate: $50–$120 a visit | Homeblue | Homeblue, "Truckee, CA Snow Removal Cost" (estimator) |
| Snow and ice customers are retained 93% of the time year over year | SIMA | Turf Magazine, "SIMA Industry Impact Report: Average snow and ice revenue" |
| Estimate: Truckee snow blowing $59–$88 an hour | Homeblue | Homeblue, "Truckee, CA Snow Removal Cost" (estimator) |
| Regional reference (South Lake Tahoe): Driveway Only $1,100–$1,300; LocalsChoice $849; Premium Full Service $1,400–$2,999 a season | Tahoe Island Snow Removal | Tahoe Island Snow Removal, snow removal packages (South Lake Tahoe) |
| National estimate: plowing $30–$70 a visit; seasonal contract $200–$600 (Tahoe runs far higher) | HomeGuide | HomeGuide, "Snow Removal Cost" (national) |
| National estimate: sidewalk shoveling $25–$75 an hour | HomeGuide | HomeGuide, "Snow Removal Cost" (national) |
| National estimate: roof snow removal $200–$500 standard; $1,000–$2,000 large or steep roofs | HomeGuide | HomeGuide, "Snow Removal Cost" (national) |
| National estimate: commercial lots $50–$150 an hour plowing; $80–$200 an hour hauling | HomeGuide | HomeGuide, "Snow Removal Cost" (national) |
| Tahoe City: 33.4 days a year with 1 inch of snow or more | NOAA | NOAA NCEI, U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, Truckee Ranger Station (USC00049043) and Tahoe City (USC00048758) |
| Median first measurable snow in Tahoe City: November 3 (our analysis) | NOAA data | NOAA NCEI, GHCN-Daily records, Tahoe City (our analysis) |
| R-1, R-2 and R-3 chain control definitions | Caltrans | Caltrans, "Chain Controls" |
| 4WD/AWD must still carry chains for one drive axle in chain control areas; studded tires allowed Nov. 1–Apr. 30 but are not traction devices | Caltrans | Caltrans, "Chain Requirements" |
| Always carry chains of the proper size; when stalled, stay with your vehicle | Caltrans | Caltrans, "Winter Driving Tips" |
| Live chain controls, closures and cameras statewide | Caltrans QuickMap | Caltrans QuickMap |
| Text road status for I-80 over Donner Summit | Caltrans | Caltrans, road conditions for I-80 |
| Nevada road conditions (Incline Village, Mt. Rose Highway, I-80 east) | Nevada 511 | Nevada 511 (NVroads) |
| Forecasts, watches and warnings for Truckee and Lake Tahoe | NWS Reno | National Weather Service Reno, forecast office home page |
| Truckee population estimate, July 1, 2024: 17,240 | Census | U.S. Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, Vintage 2024 |
| 88,200 U.S. snow and ice businesses; more than half are lawn and landscape companies | SIMA | Turf Magazine, "SIMA Industry Impact Report: Average snow and ice revenue" |
| The average operator earns 37% of revenue from snow; about 4 in 5 businesses are sole proprietors | SIMA | Turf Magazine, "SIMA Industry Impact Report: Average snow and ice revenue" |
Sources checked October 9, 2026. Snow normals are for the NOAA Truckee Ranger Station (USC00049043) and Tahoe City (USC00048758) stations. First-snow dates are our own medians of NOAA daily records, not official NWS figures. Cost figures are estimates, not Truckee quotes.
