Towing Estimate Calculator
Quickly estimate towing costs based on distance, vehicle type, and service level before you call for help.
Estimate Towing Cost
Estimated Towing Cost
Estimated Total Cost
How Towing Estimate Calculator Works
This calculator helps you estimate towing costs by considering the key factors that affect pricing: distance, vehicle type, and service level. Most towing companies charge a base fee plus a per-mile rate, with additional charges for specific services or vehicle types.
The calculator multiplies your estimated distance by the vehicle-specific per-mile rate (cars at $3/mile, SUVs at $3.50/mile, pickups at $4/mile, and RVs at $5.50/mile), then adds the base service fee and any extras you might need.
Whether you're planning ahead or stuck roadside, this tool gives you a realistic estimate so you can budget appropriately and avoid surprises when the tow truck arrives. Keep in mind that actual costs can vary by location, time of day, and specific towing company policies.
Towing Estimate Calculator Formula Breakdown
Formula
Total towing cost = (Distance × Vehicle rate per mile) + Base service fee + Additional extras
Variables Explained
- Distance: The number of miles your vehicle needs to be towed, measured from pickup location to destination. This is typically the most significant factor in towing costs after the base fee.
- Vehicle Type: The type of vehicle being towed, which determines the per-mile rate. Cars are cheapest to tow, while larger vehicles like RVs cost more due to their size and weight requiring specialized equipment.
- Service Type: The base towing service level you need. Standard towing works for most situations, flatbed towing is safer for luxury or damaged vehicles, and heavy-duty service is required for large trucks or commercial vehicles.
- Additional Services: Extra services you might need beyond basic towing, such as after-hours service, winching to extract stuck vehicles, or roadside tire changes. These are added to your base cost.
Example Calculation:
Distance: 25 miles
Vehicle Type: Car ($3/mile)
Service Type: Standard ($75)
Additional Services: $0
Total cost: $150.00
Tips for Using Towing Estimate Calculator
Check your auto insurance policy first - many include roadside assistance that covers towing up to a certain distance, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars.
Get quotes from multiple towing companies when possible, as rates can vary significantly between providers, especially for long-distance tows.
Ask about after-hours charges upfront - many companies add $30-150 for evening, weekend, or holiday service calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does towing cost?
Towing costs typically range from $75-$200 for the base service fee, plus $3-$6 per mile depending on vehicle type. Cars average $3/mile ($75-$125 base), SUVs $3.50/mile ($100-$150 base), pickups $4/mile ($125-$175 base), and RVs $5.50/mile ($150-$300 base). Additional fees: after-hours service (+$30-$75), winching (+$50-$150), flat tire change (+$30-$60). Average local tow (5 miles) costs $150-$250. Long-distance tows (50+ miles) can cost $500-$1,500 depending on vehicle size.
What factors affect towing costs?
Major cost factors include: distance (most significant after base fee), vehicle type and weight (RVs cost 80% more than cars), service level (flatbed +50-70% vs standard), time of day (after-hours +30-100%), location (urban areas 20-40% more expensive), towing complexity (winching, ditch recovery), and additional services. Geographic location significantly impacts pricing - NYC averages $200-$400 for local tows while rural areas may charge $100-$200 for same distance.
How much does it cost to tow a car per mile?
The average cost to tow a car is $2.50-$4.00 per mile nationally, with $3.00/mile being the typical rate for standard passenger vehicles. Rates vary by region: West Coast ($3.50-$5/mile), Northeast ($3-$4.50/mile), Midwest/South ($2.50-$3.50/mile). This per-mile charge is added to the base hookup fee of $75-$125. Example: 10-mile tow = $75 base + (10 × $3) = $105 total. Long-distance tows (50+ miles) may offer slightly reduced per-mile rates ($2-$3/mile).
What is the average cost of a tow?
The average towing cost is $150-$300 for local tows under 10 miles (most common scenario). Breakdown by distance: 5 miles = $150-$200, 10 miles = $175-$250, 25 miles = $250-$400, 50 miles = $400-$650, 100 miles = $650-$1,200. Average includes base fee ($75-$150) plus mileage charges. Emergency tows cost 15-30% more. Insurance or AAA coverage often includes one free tow per year (up to 5-10 miles), potentially saving $150-$300.
What is flatbed towing and when is it needed?
Flatbed towing uses a specialized truck with a hydraulic tilting bed (also called rollback or slide tow) that loads vehicles completely onto the truck bed. Cost: $100-$200 base + $4-$6/mile (50-70% more than wheel-lift towing). Required for: all-wheel drive/4WD vehicles, luxury cars (prevents transmission damage), vehicles with no wheels/destroyed suspension, motorcycles, low-clearance sports cars, long-distance tows, and vehicles stuck in mud/ditches. Safer because vehicle has no contact with road during transport.
How much does it cost to tow an RV?
RV towing costs $150-$300 base fee plus $5.50-$7.00 per mile due to specialized heavy-duty equipment requirements. Class A motorhomes (largest) cost 20-30% more than Class C (mid-size). Example costs: 10-mile tow = $305-$370, 50-mile tow = $475-$650, 100-mile tow = $700-$1,000. Travel trailers (towed RVs) cost less if you have a capable tow vehicle. Emergency RV towing on highways can cost $400-$800 just for hookup. Always verify towing company has proper heavy-duty equipment and CDL-licensed drivers.
What should I expect when getting towed?
Typical process: Call for service → receive 30-90 minute ETA (longer during peak hours) → driver arrives and assesses situation → quotes final price → you authorize tow → driver secures vehicle (5-15 minutes) → transport to destination → you sign paperwork and pay. Always: verify driver identification/license, get written estimate before tow starts, take photos of vehicle condition, remove valuables, confirm destination address, ask about payment methods (many require cash/card on-scene), and get itemized receipt showing base fee, mileage, and extras.
Do towing companies charge for long distance?
Yes, all towing companies charge per mile for distance beyond the base service area (usually 5-10 miles). Long-distance rates: 0-10 miles ($3-$6/mile full rate), 11-50 miles ($2.50-$5/mile), 50+ miles ($2-$4/mile, sometimes discounted). Additional long-distance charges may include: fuel surcharges (10-15% of total), driver overtime for trips over 2 hours, return trip fees (50% of outbound cost), and overnight accommodation if multi-day transport. Always get written quote specifying all charges and confirm no hidden fees.
Does insurance cover towing costs?
Many auto insurance policies include towing/roadside assistance coverage (typically $10-$25/year added premium). Coverage varies: basic plans cover $50-$100 per tow (5-10 miles), comprehensive roadside adds $100-$200 per incident. Most policies limit coverage to 1-4 tows per year. Check your policy for: per-tow dollar limits, mileage limits, number of annual incidents covered, and whether all drivers/vehicles are covered. AAA membership ($50-$120/year) often provides better coverage: 4 free tows up to 5-10 miles, plus discounted rates for longer distances.
How much does after-hours towing cost?
After-hours towing (nights, weekends, holidays) adds $30-$150 to base costs (30-100% premium). Typical surcharges: weekday nights 8pm-8am (+$30-$60), weekends (+$40-$75), holidays (+$75-$150). Emergency highway towing during peak hours can cost 2-3x normal rates. Some companies charge flat after-hours rates while others use percentage-based premiums. Plan ahead: non-emergency tows scheduled during business hours (8am-5pm weekdays) save significant money. Emergency? Your insurance roadside assistance typically covers after-hours without premium.
What is the difference between towing and roadside assistance?
Roadside assistance includes minor services performed at vehicle location: jump starts ($50-$100), tire changes ($50-$100), fuel delivery ($60-$150), lockout service ($75-$150), minor repairs. Towing is transport to repair facility when roadside fixes won't work. Many breakdowns can be resolved with roadside assistance (30-40% cheaper than towing). Roadside assistance memberships (AAA, Better World Club, insurance add-ons) cost $50-$150/year and typically include 4-6 service calls plus discounted towing. Single roadside call without membership averages $75-$175.
Can I negotiate towing costs?
Yes, negotiation is possible for non-emergency tows when you have time to shop around. Get 3+ quotes and use lowest as leverage. Negotiable items: base fee (especially for regular customers), long-distance per-mile rates (ask for bulk discount), package deals (tow + storage), and payment method discounts (cash vs credit card). NOT negotiable: after-hours surcharges, regulated impound tows, police-ordered tows, and emergency highway rescues. Best leverage: AAA membership or insurance coverage that pays a set rate - companies often accept insurance rates even if slightly below normal.
What payment methods do towing companies accept?
Most towing companies accept: cash (sometimes 5-10% discount), credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover), and insurance direct billing (if you have roadside coverage). Some accept: mobile payments (Venmo, CashApp), checks (from established customers), and payment plans for expensive tows. Many do NOT accept: personal checks from new customers, cryptocurrency, or IOUs. Cash-only operations charge 10-20% less but lack insurance/bonding. Always carry emergency payment method - stranded without payment means no tow. Average credit card processing fees add 3-4% to bill.
How long does a tow truck take to arrive?
Average arrival times: urban areas 20-45 minutes, suburban 30-60 minutes, rural 45-90+ minutes. During peak hours (morning/evening rush, weekends) expect +30-60 minutes delay. Weather impacts times significantly - snow/ice storms can mean 2-4 hour waits. Emergency highway tows often prioritized (15-30 minutes). Factors affecting ETA: distance from dispatch, truck availability, traffic conditions, weather, and call volume. Pro tip: call your insurance roadside assistance first - they often have preferred providers with faster response. AAA averages 30-45 minute response for members.
What happens if my car is damaged during towing?
Reputable towing companies carry commercial liability insurance ($500K-$1M coverage) and cargo insurance ($25K-$100K per vehicle). If damage occurs: document immediately with photos, get driver's insurance info, file report with company within 24 hours, and get written damage assessment from mechanic. Common damage: scratched bumpers, transmission damage (improper wheel-lift towing of AWD), body damage from straps/chains. Legal recourse: file insurance claim (your policy or theirs), small claims court for damages under $5,000-$10,000. Prevention: choose licensed/insured companies, request flatbed for valuable vehicles, photograph vehicle before and after tow.
Is AAA worth it for towing?
AAA is cost-effective if you need towing once per year or more. Membership costs: Basic ($50-$65/year, one 5-mile tow), Plus ($90-$120/year, four 100-mile tows), Premier ($120-$140/year, one 200-mile tow). Benefits beyond towing: battery service, fuel delivery, lockout service, flat tire changes, discounts on hotels/rentals/parts. ROI analysis: Single 10-mile tow costs $175-$250 without membership vs free with AAA. Drawback: average 30-60 minute wait time vs immediate service from direct-call companies. Best for: frequent road-trippers, older vehicles, and multi-vehicle households.
Can I tow my car with another vehicle instead of calling a tow truck?
Towing your own car is legal in most states but risky and potentially expensive if done incorrectly. Requirements: proper tow straps/chain (not rope), towing vehicle with adequate capacity (check owner's manual), working brakes in towed vehicle for safety. Risks: transmission damage to towed car (especially automatics/AWD), liability if towed vehicle breaks loose and causes accident (your insurance may not cover), illegal on highways in many states. Alternative: rent U-Haul car dolly ($45-$65/day) or trailer ($85-$125/day) for safe DIY towing. Only recommended for very short distances (under 5 miles) at low speeds (under 35 mph) on local roads.
What is the most expensive type of towing?
Heavy-duty towing for commercial trucks, RVs, and buses is most expensive: $300-$600 base fee + $7-$15/mile. Specialized scenarios: underwater recovery ($1,000-$5,000+), long-distance semi-truck towing ($1,500-$3,000 for 100 miles), exotic/luxury car transport ($500-$2,000 for enclosed flatbed), crane-assisted recovery from ravines/cliffs ($2,000-$10,000+). Emergency highway semi-truck towing on major interstates can cost $400-$800 just for hookup. Comparison: standard car tow 10 miles = $150-$200 vs heavy-duty truck tow 10 miles = $370-$550 (2-3x more expensive).
Do I need to be present during towing?
You must be present or designate an authorized representative. Towing companies require: vehicle ownership proof (registration), authorization signature, and payment. Cannot tow without owner consent except for: police-ordered impounds, private property violations, or repossessions. If you can't be present: provide notarized authorization letter, give keys to trusted person, or arrange payment via phone/insurance direct billing. Safety tip: never leave car unlocked with keys for tow driver - walk-away tows put you at risk for theft claims and liability if driver causes accident before official custody transfer.
What should I remove from my car before towing?
Remove all valuables before towing: electronics (GPS, phone chargers, stereo faceplates), important documents (insurance, registration - keep copies), personal items (sunglasses, garage door openers), loose items that could shift (shopping bags, tools), expensive accessories (phone mounts, dash cams), and cash/credit cards. Leave: registration copy for driver, vehicle keys, and necessary tools if driver needs to shift to neutral. Most towing companies disclaim liability for stolen items from vehicles. Take photos of interior before tow as proof of condition. Valuables left in car during tow are at your own risk - insurance typically won't cover theft.