How Much Does It Cost To Tow a Car?
 Written by Preston Micalizio Preston MicalizioPreston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing ... Read more |  Edited by Richard MurphyRichard MurphyRichard Murphy manages content on SmartFinancial's website. With a strong background in content strategy and copywriting... Read more |
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Towing a car typically costs around $109, but rates can range from $2.50 to $7.00 per mile depending on how far the vehicle needs to be transported. If you're wondering how much it costs to tow a car — especially over long distances like 100 or 200 miles — the final price often depends on location, type of tow, and whether you have roadside assistance through your insurer or an auto club like AAA.
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Key Takeaways
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Is It Expensive To Tow a Car?
The cost of a tow truck varies by distance, with the national average at approximately $109.[1] Factors that affect cost include vehicle type, time of towing (night, weekend or holiday) and terrain. In addition, towing due to breakdowns typically costs less than post-collision tows.
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Tow distance |
Cost range |
|---|---|
| 5 or less miles | $35-$125[1] |
| 6-40 miles | $126-$275[1] |
| 41-100 miles | $276-$600[1] |
Will I Pay Out of Pocket for Towing?
If you have roadside assistance coverage, you’ll be responsible for any towing costs that exceed your plan’s coverage limits. If you don’t have any type of coverage, you are responsible for paying the entire bill out of pocket.
How Much Does It Cost To Tow a Car Per Mile?
Average towing rates per mile can range from $2.50 to $7.00 per mile.[1] The rate is not fixed and may increase for longer-distance tows. For example, average costs are $35 to $125 for up to five miles, $125 to $275 for 40 miles and as much as $600 for 100 miles.[1]
What Factors Determine the Cost To Tow a Car?
Read below to learn how the cost of a tow can change based on your vehicle, the type of tow you need, when you need it and other factors.
Type of Vehicle
In general, larger vehicles — such as SUVs, trucks and vans — are heavier and require more powerful towing equipment or specialized tow trucks, which can lead to higher towing fees. Similarly, vehicles considered luxury or with custom modifications may need particular care and equipment for safe towing, which adds to the cost.
Type of Tow
Not all tows require the same level of effort, and if your car gets stuck somewhere and needs to be pulled out by a tow truck, that may cost more. For example, if your car is stuck in terrain like mud or snow, you'll likely need to arrange a winch-out service to extract your car. In Los Angeles, this can cost $70 to $200 per hour, plus additional fees if your car needs to be towed afterward.[2]
Time of Day
If you require tow truck services at night, on weekends or on holidays, be prepared to pay higher towing fees. These off-hour services incur extra charges because they are outside the typical operating hours of most towing companies, requiring staff to be available on an on-call basis.
Distance
Most towing companies charge a base fee for the hookup, plus an additional per-mile rate.[1] The farther the vehicle needs to be towed, the higher the total cost will be. The base hookup fee covers the cost of arriving at your location and preparing your vehicle for towing. The per-mile rate then accounts for the transport distance to your desired location — whether it's a repair shop, your home or another destination.
Does Insurance Cover Car Towing?
Car insurance can cover towing if your plan includes roadside assistance. If it does not, you can either add this coverage to your policy (if available) or purchase a roadside assistance membership from a provider like AAA.
Roadside Assistance
Emergency roadside assistance can be purchased from most insurance companies as an endorsement to an existing auto policy.[3] Additionally, some insurers, such as Allstate, offer a standalone version of their roadside assistance policy without requiring existing auto coverage through them.[4] Covered services typically include towing, battery jumpstarts, spare tire replacement, lockout assistance and fuel delivery if you’ve run out of gas on the road.[5]
Keep in mind that each insurance company may have limitations on the services it offers. For example, emergency roadside coverage offered by State Farm only covers towing to the nearest repair facility, with additional fees for towing longer distances.[7]
Insurers that offer roadside assistance at different tiers may also have varying limitations. For example, Travelers’ basic roadside assistance policy only covers towing up to the first 15 miles, while its premier tier includes up to 100 miles of towing.[8]
AAA
Another option for securing roadside assistance is through an auto club, such as AAA. Services offered are similar to those through an insurance company, including towing. AAA services are offered at different tiers, with higher tiers offering additional benefits, such as greater coverage for locksmith services and identity theft monitoring.[9]
The price of membership can vary by region. For example, in southern California, tiers start at $52 for the first year, while in Oregon, tiers begin at $67, with an additional first-time enrollment fee of $20.[9][10]
When Is Towing Most Needed?
Towing services are most commonly required in situations that render a vehicle inoperable or unsafe to drive. These include breakdowns due to mechanical failures, where a vehicle cannot be started or driven safely to a repair facility.
Car accidents are another major scenario, requiring towing to remove damaged vehicles from the road to ensure safety and restore traffic flow. Severe weather conditions, such as snowstorms, floods or icy roads, can also lead to vehicles being stuck or stranded, necessitating towing services for recovery.
Are There Additional Fees That Come With Towing a Car?
Depending on various factors, you may incur additional fees when getting your car towed. For example, if a winch is needed to extract your vehicle from snow or ice, it can add $50 to $250 to the total cost. A call to a towing company may also carry a higher rate if it was made after hours, on a weekend or on a holiday. SUVs and other vehicles weighing over 5,500 pounds may incur extra charges due to the increased weight of the tow compared to a standard-sized car.[1]
What Should I Ask When Hiring a Towing Service?
When hiring a towing service, ask several key questions to ensure you understand the services offered and any associated costs. Here are some essential questions to consider:
- What is the total cost?
- How are rates calculated?
- What towing services are offered (e.g., flatbed, wheel lift)?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Can you provide references or reviews?
- How quickly can the tow truck driver arrive?
- Is there a service area limit?
- What payment methods do you accept?
- Insurance quotes /
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- How Much Does It Cost To Tow A Car
Preston Micalizio writes insurance content for SmartFinancial. He brings three years of professional experience writing in various industries, from higher education to e-commerce. He strives to engage with the audience, provide accurate reporting and make complex subjects easily digestible.
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