Where to Park During a Snowstorm So Your Driveway Gets Cleared

4 min read · Thames Valley Snow, London, Ontario

Why parking matters so much

A snow crew can only clear the surface it can reach. Every square metre under a parked car stays covered, and the snow around the tires gets packed by the time you drive off. That leftover snow freezes into ruts and ice patches that last for days. When a driveway has two or three cars spread across it, the crew may be left clearing narrow strips between vehicles.

Nobody is asking you to move cars at 3 a.m. A little planning when the forecast calls for snow is usually enough.

The best options, in order

• In the garage. If you have room, a car in the garage leaves the entire driveway open for clearing.
• Close to the house, on one side. If cars must stay outside, pull them as far up the driveway as possible and to one side, leaving one full lane open from the garage to the street.
• Lined up, not side by side. On a long single-width drive, park cars nose to tail near the house rather than one near the street.
• Off the street. Cars parked on the road can make it harder for the City plow to clear the street and can end up buried in the windrow. Check the City of London website for current on-street parking rules before you rely on the street.

What to avoid

Avoid parking at the bottom of the driveway near the street. That is where the City windrow lands, and a car parked there gets buried by the heaviest snow. It also blocks the crew from clearing the windrow, which is one of the most important parts of the visit. Avoid parking across the full width of the drive, and avoid parking on lawn edges where markers are placed.

When you cannot move the car

Sometimes a car has to stay put, maybe it is a shift worker's car that came home at 4 a.m., or a second car that is not being driven. That is fine. The crew clears around vehicles as well as possible. During long storms, return visits mean that once the car moves, there is another chance to clear the space. Seasonal salting ($175), which includes freezing rain and refreeze visits, helps with the patch under a car that freezes after it leaves.

Tell us about your routine

When you request a quote, mention how many vehicles you usually have and when they come and go. A driveway with one commuter who leaves at 6 a.m. is different from one with three cars that sit all day. If you leave very early, priority early-morning clearing ($125) can get your driveway done before you go.

Check the result

After every visit you receive a timestamped photo of the cleared property. If a car was in the way, you will see it in the photo, which makes it easy to adjust where you park next time. Over a few storms most households find a simple routine, and the driveway ends up cleared edge to edge.

A note for visitors and family

If you have guests staying over during a storm, ask them to park in a spot that leaves the clearing lane open, or on a neighbour-friendly section of the drive. The same applies to caregivers or relatives who visit regularly. A short note on the fridge with the household parking plan saves a lot of shuffling of cars on snowy mornings.

Get your fixed price

Every Thames Valley Snow quote is measured from City of London maps and aerial imagery, and you get a fixed price within 1 business day. Ask for a free quote, or call or text (548) 888-8702. Learn how it works or read our FAQ.

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.