Winter Moving Tips for Minnesota and Wisconsin: How to Move in the Cold

J Justin Mueller Co-Founder of Win-Win Moving Solutions · October 6, 2026

If you are planning a winter move in Minnesota or Wisconsin, the good news is that it is completely doable with the right plan. These winter moving tips come from years of loading trucks in Woodbury, Hudson, Stillwater, and River Falls when the wind chill is below zero. Winter moves cost less, fill up faster than most people expect, and reward anyone who prepares ahead of the first snowfall.

The Twin Cities area averages roughly 50 inches of snow a year, and daylight drops to under nine hours around the winter solstice. That means shorter working windows, slicker driveways, and more things that can go wrong if you wing it. Here is how our team at Win-Win Moving Solutions handles it, so you can borrow the same playbook.

Why Winter Can Be a Smart Time to Move

Most people avoid moving between December and February, and that is exactly why it can work in your favor. Moving companies have more open dates, landlords and sellers are often more flexible, and you are less likely to get squeezed by the end-of-month summer rush.

The upsides of a winter move

• Better scheduling: You have a much wider choice of dates and arrival windows than in June or July.
• Lower stress on the crew: Fewer back-to-back jobs means a crew that is not racing the clock.
• Motivated sellers and landlords: Closing dates and lease start dates are often easier to negotiate.
• Cooler working conditions: Carrying a sofa up three flights is easier at 25 degrees than at 95.

The challenges you need to plan for

Ice, snow, early sunsets, and frozen ground are the real obstacles. None of them are dealbreakers, but each one needs a specific plan. If you are moving between Minnesota and Wisconsin, add highway conditions on I-94 and Highway 35 to your list, because a snowstorm can shift a crew’s timeline by hours.

Prepare Your Home Before Moving Day

Half of a safe winter move happens before the truck arrives. We always walk the property with customers ahead of time, and the same checklist works whether you live in Lake Elmo or Somerset.

Clear and treat every path

Shovel the driveway, walkway, steps, and porch the night before and again the morning of the move. Spread rock salt or sand on every surface the crew will cross. A cleared path two feet wider than normal gives movers room to carry large items without edging along a snowbank.

Protect your floors and doorways

Snowy boots and wet floors are a slipping hazard and can ruin hardwood. Lay down floor runners or cardboard from the door through the main hallways, and keep a towel and mat at each entrance. Door jamb protectors are cheap and prevent chips when frames are cold and brittle.

Keep utilities on at both homes

Schedule your heat, electricity, and water to be active at the new home at least a day before you arrive. Walking into a house that has sat at 40 degrees is miserable, and frozen pipes are a real risk in an unheated house. Call your utility providers about two weeks out and confirm the start date.

How to Pack for Cold-Weather Moves

Cold changes how some belongings behave, so packing for winter is not exactly the same as packing in July. A few small adjustments protect your furniture, electronics, and plants.

• Electronics: Let TVs, computers, and speakers warm to room temperature for several hours before plugging them in, because condensation can damage circuits.
• Wood furniture: Wrap pieces in moving blankets and shrink wrap to guard against sudden temperature swings that can crack finishes.
• Liquids and cleaning supplies: Move or dispose of anything that can freeze, such as paint, bottled water, and some cleaners.
• Houseplants: Most tropical plants cannot survive even a short exposure to freezing air, so carry them in your own heated vehicle rather than the truck.
• Tape and boxes: Packing tape can lose its grip in the cold, so store supplies indoors and tape boxes inside before carrying them out.

If you would rather not pack at all, our full-service packing team can handle the whole house and have it boxed, labeled, and ready to load.

Moving Day Strategy: Beat the Short Daylight

With under nine hours of usable daylight in December, an early start matters. We recommend scheduling the first arrival window for 8 a.m. so the heaviest loading happens while it is warmest and brightest, and the unloading is done before dark.

A simple winter moving day timeline

1. The night before: Shovel, salt, charge phones, and set out floor protection at both homes.
2. 7:30 a.m.: Do a final walk-through, clear fresh snow, and prop doors open only when the crew is actively carrying.
3. 8:00 a.m.: Crew arrives, wraps furniture, and loads the heaviest items first.
4. Midday: Drive time, with a quick weather and road check before leaving.
5. Afternoon: Unload, place furniture, and reassemble beds so you have a warm place to sleep that night.
6. Before dark: Final walk-through at both addresses and sign off on the paperwork.

Keep a winter essentials box

Pack one clearly labeled box that rides with you: a flashlight, work gloves, a shovel, ice melt, towels, a kettle or thermos, hand warmers, and phone chargers. You will be glad you have it when the new driveway has not been plowed yet.

Winter Moving Safety: What Our Crew Does Differently

Safety is the biggest difference between a good winter move and a risky one. Our movers wear boots with serious tread, take shorter carries, and slow down on stairs and ramps. We also keep a bag of salt on every truck so we are never at the mercy of a half-cleared walkway.

If conditions turn dangerous, such as freezing rain or a blizzard warning, we would rather reschedule than put your belongings or our crew at risk. Build a flexible buffer into your plans, especially if you have a lease end date or closing date on the line. When you contact Win-Win Moving Solutions early, we can often offer a backup date in the same week.

Local Tips for Minnesota and Wisconsin Moves

Each community has its own quirks. In Woodbury and Oakdale, many newer developments have steep driveways that get icy fast, so plan extra salt. In Hudson, River Falls, and New Richmond, rural and older roads may be plowed later than city streets, which can affect truck access. Ask your new neighbors or HOA about plowing schedules and where a large truck can park.

Crossing the St. Croix River between Minnesota and Wisconsin is an easy local move on a clear day, but check the forecast and road conditions the morning of your move. Remember to update your address, vehicle registration, and driver’s license after you arrive, since the rules differ between the two states.

Ready for Your Winter Move?

A winter move does not have to be a battle with the weather. With the right timing, clear paths, and a crew that knows how to work in the cold, your belongings arrive safe and you stay warm. Ready to lock in a date? contact Win-Win Moving Solutions for a free estimate, or call us at (715) 600-0883 and we will help you plan the details.