West of Reno, the Truckee River canyon narrows and I-80 begins its climb toward California. Mogul sits just off the freeway at the edge of town, and Verdi a little farther west near the state line. Both are small, both are spread out, and both have more vehicles per household than Reno as a whole. For both, the nearest Xpress service center is on Mae Anne Avenue in northwest Reno.
Two small places with a lot of vehicles
Mogul has about 1,050 residents, averaging 2.85 vehicles per household, and 85.7 percent of households have two or more (Census ACS 5-year 2020-2024). The Verdi ZIP, 89439, has about 2,500 residents averaging 2.2 vehicles, with 81.8 percent at two or more. Compare that with Reno's citywide 1.76.
Bigger lots, longer drives and more trucks are the reasons. When there is a horse trailer, a work truck and a commuter car in one driveway, maintenance adds up. Lining the vehicles up for one Saturday at Mae Anne, one after another, is a common way to keep them all on schedule without losing a weekday.
The drive in
From Mogul, it is about 3.6 miles to the service center; from Verdi, about 7.5 miles east on I-80 (OSRM). Somersett, just north, is about 4.1. Take I-80 east to the McCarran Boulevard exit, head north and turn onto Mae Anne Avenue. The same route puts the service center on the way into town for errands or work.
In winter, the stretch of I-80 west of Reno can see snow and chain controls before the city does. A battery check and fresh wiper blades are worth having before the first storm.
- Mogul: about 3.6 miles
- Somersett: about 4.1 miles
- Verdi: about 7.5 miles via I-80
The smog rule out here
Verdi and Mogul are both inside the Washoe County testing area, which the Nevada DMV describes as including Reno, Sparks, Washoe Valley and most of the county west of Washoe Valley (Nevada DMV emission page). That means an annual smog check at renewal for gasoline vehicles 1968 and newer and diesels up to 14,000 pounds GVWR, after the first three registrations of a new vehicle.
The Mae Anne service center is one of our two Reno service centers running Nevada smog checks. William R. wrote that it is the only place he goes for a smog check or fluids (Google review).
What west-side reviewers say
John I. wrote that his 2005 Forester got an outstanding job at Mae Anne (Google review). Bob G. said the crew was quick and professional and exceeded his expectations (Google review). Phil B. called them good guys, fast, efficient and pleasant, and said they answered all his questions (Google review). Cece F. described the staff as truly friendly and professional, looking out for customers' best interests (Google review).
The service center is open Monday to Friday 8 to 5 and Saturday 8 to 4, closed Sunday, at about 4,900 feet (USGS). The Verdi and Mogul pages have more. When the sticker or the renewal notice says it is time, Mae Anne is the short drive in.
Sources
- data.census.gov/ (Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year 2020-2024 estimates: population, households, vehicles available, read 2026-10-15)
- project-osrm.org/ (OSRM free-flow routing, distances from town centroids to our four service centers, read 2026-10-15)
- dmv.nv.gov/emission.htm (Nevada DMV Emission Control Program: Washoe and Clark testing areas, exemptions, 90-day validity, 2026 fee caps, read 2026-10-15)
- apps.nationalmap.gov/ (USGS 3DEP elevation at the four service center addresses, read 2026-10-15)
- maps.google.com/maps?cid=1872620054928035170 (Google Business Profile, Reno Northwest at 6100 Mae Anne Ave: 4.6 stars, 209 reviews, hours, read 2026-10-15)
