How Much Does It Cost to Tow a Car?

Published Oct 23, 2026 · 8 min read · By Hassan, Owner of Roadmate Services

A breakdown is bad enough without a mystery bill waiting at the end of it. So, how much does it cost to tow a car? In Columbus, a Roadmate tow is an estimated $125 to $275 for a tow of about 1 to 15 miles, and longer tows are quoted by phone. Across the US, the most-quoted average is about $109, a J.D. Power market figure.

Distance, your vehicle and the conditions where it sits decide the final number. Whoever you call, ask for the full price before the truck is sent.

Quick answer: towing cost at a glance

The first four rows are published US market figures, not Roadmate prices. The last two rows are ours, and the price is the estimated range from the price table on our homepage.

National averages blend short city hops with long rural hauls. Your own tow has exactly one distance, and it is the one that counts.

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Average tow cost in the US: about $109

J.D. Power puts the national average cost to tow a car at about $109. That number is quoted by Allstate and The Zebra, among others. By distance, the same J.D. Power figures run from $35 to $125 for 5 miles or less, up to $600 or more for a tow of up to 100 miles.

An average is useful for spotting a quote that is far out of line, not for predicting yours. A flatbed, a night tow or a car down an embankment all land well above it. Averages are like a statewide weather forecast: true somewhere, not always in your driveway.

Towing cost per mile: $2.50 to $7

The Zebra, citing J.D. Power, puts towing at about $4.75 per mile on average, with a range of about $2.50 to $7 per mile. Most companies also charge a hook-up fee to load the car, and some include the first few miles in it.

So two quotes with the same per-mile rate can still end up far apart. Ask for one total for your trip. With per-mile pricing, how far away your mechanic is suddenly becomes a money question.

Roadmate’s estimated range covers tows of about 1 to 15 miles in the Columbus area. Going further? We quote it by phone before anything is booked.

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What changes the price of a tow?

• Distance. To reach you and to the drop-off. The biggest factor.
• Vehicle type and weight. A pickup or van takes more truck than a compact car.
• Time and day. Many companies charge more at night, on weekends and on holidays.
• How hard the hook-up is. A tight garage, a ditch or locked wheels take more time and equipment.
• Breakdown or accident. A damaged car that will not roll is a bigger job.
• Flatbed needs. Some cars must travel with all four wheels off the ground.

On the price table on our homepage, the final Roadmate price depends on these factors:

• Your exact location
• Vehicle type
• Distance to the nearest available technician
• Conditions on scene

A car parked on the third level of a garage is not being difficult on purpose. It just likes the view.

Tow truck cost by type: flatbed vs wheel lift

A wheel lift picks up one end of the car and lets the other end roll. A flatbed carries the whole car on a tilting bed. A flatbed can cost more, because it is a bigger truck and loading takes longer.

For some cars it is the right truck whatever the price. Electric vehicles always go on a flatbed with us. Many all-wheel-drive cars should not roll on any wheels while towed (check your owner’s manual), and low or damaged cars travel better on one too. We tow with our own flatbed and a partner tow company.

Low cars and tow truck ramps have a long history of not getting along. A flatbed keeps the peace.

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How much is a tow in Columbus, Ohio?

A Roadmate tow in Columbus is an estimated $125 to $275 for about 1 to 15 miles. Longer tows are quoted by phone. We tow in the Columbus area only, and most of our tows are breakdowns going to a mechanic.

You see the full price before anyone drives to you. “We’ll see when we get there” is how drivers get overcharged, so we do not quote that way. A dispatcher checks every request first: where the car is, what it is, where it is going and which truck it needs.

A typical call looks like this one. The car would not start. We tried a jump first, it did not work, so we towed the car to a mechanic shop. We got there in about 45 minutes, and the tow itself took about 35 minutes. Sometimes a dead car only needs a jump. Our guide to tow truck vs roadside assistance helps you tell which one you need.

Full details of the service are on our tow service in Columbus page. Your car may have chosen the worst moment to quit, but at least the bill will not be a plot twist.

Is it cheaper to tow a car or drive it?

Driving is cheaper only when the car is safe to drive. If any of these are true, a tow is usually cheaper in the end:

• The temperature gauge is in the red, or steam is coming from under the hood.
• The oil pressure light is on, or the engine is knocking.
• The brakes feel soft, grind or pull hard to one side.
• A warning light came on and the car lost power while driving.

Engines are a lot like toddlers. When they say they are too hot to go on, it is best to believe them.

Driving on any of those can turn a tow bill into an engine or brake bill. If you break down on I-70, I-71 or I-270, get safe first, then call: pull as far off the road as you can, turn on your hazards, and stay buckled in or get behind the guardrail if it is safe to do so. NHTSA’s roadside safety tips cover the basics. If anyone is hurt, call 911 first.

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6 ways to keep a tow from costing more than it should

1. Get the full price for your trip before the truck is sent, not after the car is on the hook.
2. Know where the car is going. Call the shop first, so the car is not towed twice.
3. Pick the nearest shop that can actually do the repair, not just the nearest shop.
4. Ask for the right truck. A flatbed for an EV or AWD car costs less than a damaged drivetrain.
5. Ask about storage. If the car sits in a lot, the fees can grow by the day.
6. Try the cheaper fix first when it makes sense: a dead battery may only need a jump.

Storage fees are rent your car pays without ever asking your permission. Move it out quickly.

“When your vehicle needs a mechanic, you have to tow it there. Just pick the right company, one that doesn’t double your problem.” — Hassan, Owner

More on spotting a fair price is in our guide to an affordable tow truck near you, and on choosing quickly in how to pick a tow truck near me.

Towed from private property in Ohio? Different rules apply

If your car was towed from a private lot without you asking, Ohio law treats it differently. Under Ohio Revised Code 4513.601, the lot must have a posted tow-away sign, the tow company must notify the police within two hours, and the fees are capped by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Check the current limits on the PUCO towing fee limits page before you pay.

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Frequently asked questions

How the card hold works is explained in authorization holds explained, and what other roadside services cost is in our roadside assistance cost guide.

The bottom line

Nationally, a tow averages about $109, with per-mile rates of about $2.50 to $7, according to J.D. Power. In Columbus, a Roadmate tow is an estimated $125 to $275 for about 1 to 15 miles, and longer tows are quoted by phone. Get the full price before the truck is sent, and send the car straight to a shop that can fix it.

Here is to your next car trip ending in your own driveway, under its own power.

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