Getting a tow truck called on you, whether from a breakdown or a wreck, comes with a bill you didn’t plan for. How much does it cost to tow a car in the US? On average, about $109, but the real number swings widely depending on distance, time of day, and how your car has to be hauled.
Quick Answer: How Much Does It Cost to Tow a Car
The average cost to tow a car in the US is $109, with per-mile rates running $2.50 to $7. A short tow under 5 miles averages around $80. A 100-mile tow averages around $145 to $700, depending on the source and vehicle type. Standard auto insurance doesn’t cover towing unless you add roadside assistance, which runs $14 to $74 a year through most insurers, or $60 to $351 a year through a service like AAA.
How Much Does It Cost to Tow a Car, Mile by Mile
Most tow companies charge a base hookup fee plus a per-mile rate. The hookup fee usually runs $50 to $125. The per-mile rate runs $3 to $7 for a standard light-duty vehicle. Flatbed towing, which most modern cars need, costs more than an older-style wheel-lift tow, roughly $75-$125 to hook up plus $4-$7 a mile.
Distance changes the total fast. A 5-mile tow averages around $85-$140. A 20-mile tow averages $140-$225. A 100-mile tow can run $450-$700. After-hours calls, between 8pm and 8am, typically add a 20-50% surcharge. Weekend and holiday calls can add another 15-50%.
Does Insurance Cover Towing?
Not by default. Standard auto insurance doesn’t include towing unless you’ve added roadside assistance as an extra. Through most insurers, that add-on runs $14 to $74 a year. A third-party service like AAA runs $60 to $351 a year, often billed monthly at $5 to $10. Roadside assistance typically covers towing, lockouts, fuel delivery, jump-starts, and tire changes. If the tow follows an accident that wasn’t your fault, the other driver’s liability insurance may cover it instead.
Car Trouble in America: Towing, Warranties, and Total Loss
A tow is often the first step in a bigger, more stressful situation. Here’s what to know about the moments that tend to follow.
What Happens When Your Car Is Totaled But Still Drivable
An insurer declares a car a total loss when the repair cost exceeds the car’s value, not because it can’t run. If your car still drives, you can usually keep it, but you’ll need a salvage title from your insurer, since they’ve already paid out a claim on it. A salvage title makes the car harder to resell and can make it harder to insure going forward. Get an independent mechanical inspection before deciding to keep a totaled car, since hidden damage isn’t always obvious from the driver’s seat. Don’t accept the first settlement offer without checking it against your car’s real value first.
What a Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty Doesn’t Cover
The name suggests full coverage, but seven common items usually fall outside it. The engine and drivetrain get their own separate powertrain warranty instead. Wear items like brake pads, tires, wiper blades, and bulbs are excluded, since they’re expected to wear out. Interior finishes and glass are only covered if a manufacturing defect caused the damage, not everyday wear. Batteries often carry a shorter separate term, around 2 years. Rust from salt, sand, or road debris is typically excluded. Roadside assistance included with the warranty usually runs out after a limited time. Factory infotainment systems often carry their own separate, shorter coverage term too.
Is Gap Insurance Worth It?
It depends on your loan. Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe on a car loan and what your insurer actually pays out if the car is totaled. It’s worth considering if you put down less than 20%, chose a long loan term, or owe more than the car is currently worth. It typically costs $20 to $40 a year bundled with your policy, or $200 to $300 as a standalone add-on. You can skip it once your loan balance drops below the car’s actual value, or if you own the car outright.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries first, and check on anyone else involved. Move your car out of traffic if it’s safe and still drivable, and use hazard lights to warn other drivers. Call the police and get a copy of the report along with the responding officer’s name and badge number. Exchange names, contact details, and insurance information with the other driver, and photograph the damage from multiple angles. Notify your insurer as soon as you can, even for a minor accident, in case a claim gets filed later.
FAQ: How Much Does It Cost to Tow a Car
How much does it cost to tow a car on average?
About $109 in the US, with per-mile rates of $2.50 to $7 depending on distance, vehicle type, and time of day.
Does my car insurance cover towing?
Not automatically. You need to add roadside assistance, which costs $14-$74 a year through most insurers or $60-$351 a year through a service like AAA.
Can I keep a car that’s totaled but still drives?
Usually yes, but you’ll need a salvage title from your insurer, and it will be harder to resell or re-insure. Get an independent inspection before deciding.
What does a bumper-to-bumper warranty not cover?
The engine and drivetrain, wear items like brakes and tires, interior finishes from normal wear, batteries past a shorter term, rust, extended roadside assistance, and often the infotainment system.
Is gap insurance worth buying?
Yes, if you put down less than 20% or owe more than your car is worth. It typically costs $20-$40 a year bundled with your policy, and you can skip it once your loan balance is below your car’s value.
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