What’s a snow emergency route?

There are 110 miles of snow emergency routes in Philadelphia. These routes must be clear when there’s a winter storm, so that snow plows can pass through.

Snow emergency routes are marked with large red signs reading “Snow Emergency Route” in white letters.

What happens during a snow emergency?

The City declares a snow emergency when winter storms are expected to create dangerous conditions for vehicles or pedestrians.

Once the City declares a snow emergency, owners of vehicles and dumpsters parked along snow emergency routes must move them to alternate parking spaces until the emergency has been declared over.

• If you do not move your vehicle or dumpster, you may be ticketed and your vehicle or dumpster may be towed.
• Vehicles that cannot move under their own power are not exempt.

When moving your vehicle, park as far from the corner of the street as possible. Vehicles parked too close to the corner get in the way of snow plows trying to turn corners.

Motorists may drive on snow emergency routes as long as their vehicles are equipped to handle adverse conditions. Vehicles that stall or become stuck along snow emergency routes may be towed or fined.

Learn more about snow emergencies in the Philadelphia Code (12-2500).

Vehicles left on snow emergency routes will be moved to other parking spots to assist in snow plowing operations.

If your vehicle has been towed from a snow emergency route:

• Call (215) 686-SNOW (7669) and press option four.
• Do not call 911.
• Be prepared to provide information to identify your vehicle.

Snow emergency routes map