What Time of Day Do Snow Crews Start Clearing Driveways?

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

One of the most common questions homeowners in London, Ontario ask is what time snow crews actually show up. The honest answer is it depends on the storm, but most reliable companies work on a schedule built around getting driveways clear before people need to leave for work.

For an overnight snowfall, most crews start clearing residential routes between 4 and 6 a.m., aiming to have driveways done before the typical 7 to 8 a.m. commute. This means your driveway may be cleared while you're still asleep, which is exactly the point of a good seasonal contract.

During an active daytime storm, timing changes. Crews may come multiple times as snow keeps falling, since clearing too early during a storm just means redoing the work a few hours later. Companies typically wait until snowfall tapers off or hits the trigger depth again before sending a truck back out.

Commercial properties often get cleared earlier or on a different schedule entirely, since parking lots need to be ready before staff and customers arrive, sometimes as early as 3 a.m. for larger commercial sites.

At Thames Valley Snow, seasonal service starts automatically at 5 cm, so you never have to call, and there are return visits during long storms. If you leave early, priority early-morning clearing moves your driveway up the route.

Priority Early-Morning Clearing

Every route has a first stop and a last stop. If you leave for an early shift, you want to be near the front. Our priority early-morning option is a $125 add-on plus HST to a seasonal plan, and it is built for people like nurses, paramedics, firefighters and trades workers who are out the door before most of the city is awake.

Why Timing Changes With the Storm

Service is triggered at 5 cm of snow. A storm that drops 5 cm overnight and stops is simple: the driveway gets cleared once. A storm that keeps going all day is different, because clearing at the first 5 cm only to have another 15 cm land on top does not help anyone. That is why long storms get return visits rather than a single pass.

The City plow can also change the picture. When it goes by after your driveway is done, it leaves a ridge of heavy snow, called the windrow, across the end of the driveway. Our seasonal plans clear the City windrow, so the bottom of the driveway does not trap your car after the crew has left.

How You Know It Has Been Done

Every visit ends with a timestamped photo, so you can see when your driveway was cleared even if you were asleep or away. Family members who book for a parent can choose to have those visit updates sent to them.

Season Dates and Prices

The standard season runs December 1 to March 31, and an extension from November 1 to April 15 is $95. Seasonal plans are $650 to $725 for a single or 1.5-car driveway, $815 for a double, and $1,050 for 3-car, interlock, paver or stamped drives, plus HST. Seniors and front-line workers get 5% off seasonal plans.

Booking Before the Season

Quotes are measured from City of London maps and aerial imagery, and you get a fixed price within 1 business day. A 30% deposit holds your spot, and the balance is due before December 1. You can pay by cash, cheque, Interac e-transfer or card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to call when it snows?

No. Seasonal service is automatic for every snowfall of 5 cm or more.

How do I get cleared earlier?

Add priority early-morning clearing to your seasonal plan for $125 plus HST.

Want a fixed price for your property? Request a free quote, or call or text (548) 888-8702. You can also read more about our residential snow removal and priority clearing.

What's included… and what's extra

A Thames Valley Snow seasonal residential plan starts from $650 for a standard driveway. It covers clearing the driveway every time snowfall reaches the trigger depth in your agreement, plus the windrow the city plow leaves at the end of the driveway. Larger driveways are priced on our snow removal prices page.

Popular add-ons, priced per season: walkway and steps $150–175, salting $175, priority service $125, pet-safe salt $120, driveway extension $95 and city sidewalk clearing $90. Add only what your property needs; everything is listed on the quote so there are no surprises. Get your fixed price or call or text (548) 888-8702.