Affordable Car Towing Costs in 2025: What to Expect and How to Save

Although the final fee relies on various elements, the national average cost to tow a car is about $100. If you have been in a collision, your car is buried in mud or snow, or you drive a large vehicle, your bill might be more though.

If you have a roadside assistance policy, you may be able to save some money; nevertheless, real savings rely on the plan you decide upon and your circumstances.

Owning an automobile should include comprehensive expenses, including plans for dealing with these kinds of costs. This is a summary of the expenses of towing a car together with some questions to ask during a quote.

If you ever need a tow truck near me, it’s important to know the average costs and what factors influence pricing.

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Calculating the Expenses of Car Towing

Regular Charges

To link your car to the tow truck, most towing companies charge a basic cost. This charge does not cover actually towing your car; it ranges from $35 to $100.

Additionally, a per-mile fee varies between one towing firm to another. Get ready to pay between two and seven dollars per mile. To spare you from paying a per-mile price for a brief tow, certain services may include the first few miles in their standard fee.

If you’re searching for a tow truck near me, compare different providers to ensure you get the best rate.

Extra Expenses

Hiring a pulling service can result in other circumstances that cost extra. These comprise whether you:

Call on a holiday or weekend night. Additionally, more expensive is needing a pull service outside of regular business hours and days.
Own a bigger vehicle. Bigger, heavier, and more expansive cars might pay up to 25% more.
Had a collision. Your rate could be more costly if your automobile is damaged and calls for a flatbed tow truck.
Call in poor weather. Should a pull service dispatch a tow truck under inclement conditions—such as flooding or snowfall—you should be ready to pay a higher charge.
Are locked. Should your car need to be released before it can be pulled, you should budget extra money of up to $250.
Are broken down in a more difficult-to-access place, say a steep road. Your towing charge may be raised by the truck’s additional miles to reach you and by dangerous terrain.

👉 To prevent damage to the vehicle, most makers of electric cars advise that they be towed on flatbed trucks. Though every model is different, some can be pulled with two wheels on the ground. Tell the towing agency ahead of time that you run an electric car and check your handbook.

If you’re searching online for a tow truck near me, be sure to ask about the pulling method for your specific car type.

Check What You May Save on Auto Insurance

To find out how much changing auto insurance could save you, simply compare tailored prices.

Policies Covering Towing Expenses

Insurance for Roadside Help

Your coverage will determine if insurance would cover having your car pulled. If you are involved in an accident covered by your insurance provider, some insurers will pay for towing services; but, towing coverage is not guaranteed even under full-coverage policies.

Although some vehicle insurers provide optional towing plans, these are extras to your regular auto coverage. Usually covering the costs of a range of other services, such as jump-starts and winching services should your car become stranded, optional insurance covering towing expenditures are commonly known as roadside assistance policies.

Depending on the coverage, roadside assistance policies usually price between $30 and $60 a year. While a policy will have restrictions on what or how much it covers, it will offset most of a typical pull service within a given distance or to the closest auto shop.

Roadside services are a benefit provided by some businesses unrelated to insurance. These include several credit cards and automakers, who might provide roadside assistance during the warranty term.

Roadside Help Firms

Independent roadside assistance providers, such as AAA, have policies unrelated to your motor insurance. You pay for the policy ahead of time and get either free or discounted services should you have to have your car pulled.

Most roadside assistance providers have tiered coverage options available. Although you will pay more upfront to qualify for the service, more costly plans with pull help will tow your car farther than their less expensive equivalents.

For basic coverage, these plans can start at $60 a year and price more than $130 annually for premium coverage. Make sure your insurance’s roadside help does not conflict with the one you are signing up for.

When signing up for a roadside assistance plan, check if they partner with tow truck near me services for better coverage.

Questions to Ask a Tow Company You Are Hiring

If you find yourself in a dangerous or tight position, you will most likely prefer to pay whichever firm the fastest can pull your car. If you have time to phone many topullw companies, however, compare their rates and inquire about the following to help you avoid exorbitant costs.

A detailed quotation depending on your desired location. An estimate of how much one of its drivers would charge to transport your car to its destination should be available from a this service. Note the price to compare it with others.
Per-mile fees and hook-on costs. The basis of towing expenses is these fees; hence, the more these fees are larger, the more you will probably spend should the driver have to move your automobile farther than expected.
Additional fees commensurate with your circumstances. Ask whether your circumstances—such as needing to utilize a flatbed or being hauled from a ditch—cause you to be charged any extra costs or higher rates and how much those fees are.
Their arrival time is what we need to know. This can be really significant, particularly during heavy storms. Should fast speed be of great importance to you, a larger charge could be well worth it.

If you are searching for a tow truck near me, always ask about response times to avoid long waits.

⚠ If a provider cannot or will not offer you prices up front, it is advisable to search for another company. Given you are requesting a tow, you should be sure you engage someone who will assist rather than price-gouge you.