During a storm it's natural to look out the window and wonder why the neighbour's driveway was cleared first. The answer almost always comes down to route order, the trigger depth and how much snow is still falling, not favouritism.
Routes are built for efficiency
Snow crews work along routes. Properties are grouped by area so a truck isn't driving back and forth across the city between stops. If your street sits near the start of a route, you'll usually be cleared earlier. If it sits near the end, the crew reaches you later in the same storm.
Route order also has to work in both directions. A driveway that's first on one storm may be later on the next, depending on where crews start and how the snow is falling across the city.
The trigger depth sets the start time
Crews don't start the moment the first flakes fall. Our seasonal plans use a 5 cm trigger, which means work begins once 5 cm has accumulated. In a light snowfall that slowly reaches 5 cm overnight, everyone on a route is cleared in one pass. In a fast, heavy storm, the route starts sooner, and the snow keeps piling up while crews work through it.
Heavy storms change the plan
When snow falls quickly, clearing a driveway while it's still coming down can mean the driveway is covered again within an hour or two. During long storms, crews often make passes to keep driveways manageable, then return for a full clean-up once the snow stops. That can make it look like some properties were done twice while others were done once.
Commercial sites and residential driveways
Commercial lots are priced per site and usually have their own requirements, such as being clear before a business opens. That can affect when crews reach residential stops in the same area. Every property still gets cleared once the trigger is met; the order is about getting through the whole route as efficiently as possible.
The City windrow
Sometimes a driveway is cleared and then a City plow goes by and leaves a ridge of snow across the end. That's called the windrow. It can make a cleared driveway look untouched from the street. Whether the windrow is included is worth confirming with any snow contractor before the season.
How to know your driveway was done
If you're at work or away, the easiest way to check is proof of service. After each visit we send timestamped photos, so you know when your driveway was cleared without having to guess. Before the season, we also mark driveway edges so crews can work quickly and safely in the dark.
What you can do to help
Keep cars off the driveway when a storm is forecast if you can, or park to one side so the crew can clear as much as possible. Move bins, toys and anything that might be buried under snow. Clear access makes every stop on the route faster.
A little patience during a big storm usually pays off: a driveway cleared once the snow has stopped stays clear, while one cleared mid-storm may need another pass.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ask to be first on the route?
Routes are set for efficiency, so individual properties can't usually be moved to the front. If you have an early start time, mention it when you request a quote.
What triggers a visit to my driveway?
On our seasonal plans, a crew comes out for every snowfall of 5 cm or more between December 1 and March 31.
Want to get on a route before the season fills up? Request a free quote or call or text (548) 888-8702. Learn more about residential snow removal and our prices.
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.
Want it handled for you?
Seasonal snow removal from $650 + HST. Automatic at 5 cm, photo after every visit.
Get my free quote