Curious about towing prices? Learn how much does towing typically costs from base fees to per-mile rates and what affects the final bill. If you’re wondering when or how to tow a car, the answer is that it’s frequently used for illegal parking or accidents.
The functional car lifts or pulls the damaged or disabled car from one place to another by mechanically joining the two vehicles. Therefore, towing a car requires the right tools and techniques, and certain rules and laws must be observed. In this blog, we will walk you through every element influencing the typical cost of towing a car, regardless of whether it’s a truck or an SUV.
Towing A Car: Different Types and Their Cost
Have you ever had a car break down unexpectedly? In the middle of nowhere, out of nowhere? Yes, we understand you. For this reason, we would like to educate you on towing. The process of mechanically connecting a damaged or disabled vehicle to another vehicle using a tow bar, tow strap, or chain is known as towing.
Did you know the national average cost of towing a car is $109? Although it depends on a number of variables, towing an automobile typically costs between $100 and $120.
One of the main variables is the type of towing. Even though there are many different kinds of towing, the most common ones are recovery, off-road, dinghy, and trailer towing.
| Type | Explanation | Average Cost |
| Recover Towing | Recovery completely lifts the car, which isn’t movable | $150 to $500 |
| Off-Road Towing | Off-roading involves the recovery of stuck vehicles. | $150 to $250 |
| Trailer Towing | It involves proper hitch and trailer connections to pull a trailer behind a vehicle, often for transporting goods, equipment, or other vehicles. | $100 to $600 |
| Dinghy Towing | Dinghy towing, also called flat towing, involves a vehicle towed behind another one (usually an RV) with all four wheels on the ground. | Around $750 |
Factors Affecting the Towing Cost:
With the damaged vehicle (towed) behind, these tools serve as a bridge connecting the two cars. The towed vehicle is propelled forward by the engine of the towing vehicle. There are now two options: either the wheels can be raised off the ground, or they can stay on it, depending on the size of the vehicle, its weight, or the towing budget/type.
The following are some of the many factors that impact or influence towing costs:
- The car’s weight, size, and type:
The most crucial characteristics that are measured or examined when determining the price of towing are the weight, size, and type of the car. To pull or drag effectively, large vehicles like trucks and SUVs need much more sophisticated equipment because they require a lot more strength.
- What is the urgency and time of the service?
The prices may differ based on the urgency and time of service. For instance:
The company’s policies and charges might differ at peak hours or maybe late at night.
The driver’s availability outside of regular hours
The high towing demand during peak hours.
- How much hookup strength is needed?
The cost will increase with the difficulty of the towing. The cost of towing a car also varies based on how difficult the hookup is. Since the hookup fee varies from $2 to $5 per mile, the final cost may also differ.
- How much towing distance to cover?
Distance also plays a major role in determining the price of towing a car. The more distance there is, the more fuel and time it’s going to take. The average towing distance is around ten to twenty miles. If you go more than that, it will cost you more. The average cost estimation based on distance is
| For five miles or less | $35-$125 |
| For forty miles | $125-$275 |
| For one hundred miles | up to $600 |
- How is your car doing?
It would be difficult to tow your car if it had been in an accident or had significant damage. Because more resources will be used and more service time will be required, this will cost more. For example, you need to be careful when handling or lifting your car if the tires or structural integrity have been compromised.
The variables that cannot be predicted (hence the price will fluctuate) in advance include the time of day, distance, the complexity of the situation, and the car’s condition and delicacy.
Conclusion:
To sum up, the average cost nationwide is $109, but the price still varies depending on the type of towing, the size of the vehicle, the time of day, the condition of your car, the difficulty of hooking up, the delicacy of the vehicle, and the distance from the local towing station to your final destination. For more details on roadside safety during a breakdown, check out Powerhouse Towing’s guide on breakdown and roadside safety
FAQs:
How can you tow your car?
Use a tow strap, dolly, or trailer. But it’s recommended to hire a towing company.
Can you tow a car without its keys?
Yes, you can do it without them. Your car does not need to be turned on.
Is it possible to tow a car without causing any harm to its exterior?
Yes, it is possible to tow a car without causing any damage to its exterior. Employ a professional towing man to do it.
