Towing Cost Calculator
Estimate a tow price from the hookup fee, miles towed and rate per mile, with an optional after-hours surcharge. For towing companies setting and publishing rates, and for drivers who want a number before they call.
Free, no sign-up. Runs in your browser; nothing you type is stored unless you choose to email yourself the results.
Loading calculator…
Email me these results. We'll send your numbers, plus how to turn this calculator into a lead magnet on your own website.
Three steps, about a minute
Step 1
Enter your Hookup fee, the flat charge for getting the vehicle secured on the truck.
Step 2
Fill in Miles towed and your Rate per mile for the distance the vehicle is moved.
Step 3
Add any After-hours surcharge as a percentage, then read the Tow price and Mileage portion.
How the towing cost calculator works
Mileage portion = miles towed x rate per mile. Tow price = (hookup fee + mileage portion) x (1 + after-hours surcharge percent). The surcharge applies to the whole price, hookup included. As loaded, the tool shows a $95 hookup plus 15 miles at $4, which is $60 of mileage and a $155 tow. Add a 25% after-hours surcharge and the same tow comes to about $194. Swap in your own rates, since these are only an example. The tool covers a basic tow. Winching, dollies, flatbed fees, waiting time, storage and tolls are not included, so price them separately. Some cities and states regulate towing rates, especially for police-ordered and private-property tows, so check local rules before you publish a price.
| Hookup fee | $95 |
|---|---|
| Miles towed | 15 |
| Rate per mile | $4 |
| After-hours surcharge | 0% |
| Tow price | $155 |
|---|---|
| Mileage portion | $60 |
Publishing a clear price structure builds trust with stressed drivers.
Using the numbers like a pro: tips for towing companies
Decide whether mileage starts at the pickup point or at your yard, and say so on your rate sheet. Empty miles to reach the vehicle cost fuel and driver time even with nothing hooked up.
Post a clear hookup fee and per-mile rate on your website and Google Business Profile. A driver stuck on the shoulder wants a number fast, and clear rates cut down disputes at drop-off.
State your after-hours surcharge as a percentage or flat amount and tell the caller before you dispatch. Surprise charges at the drop-off lead to bad reviews and payment fights.
Put a calculator like this on your own website
Tow calls come from a phone on the side of the road. A price calculator on your mobile site answers the first question the driver has, and a click-to-call button right under the result turns that answer into a dispatch. Ask for a callback number in case the call drops or the signal is weak. A branded version with your own rates is something we can set up.
Get a free audit of your marketing
Website, Google Business Profile and a Google Maps rank scan across your area. Plain English, no obligation.
Towing Cost Calculator questions
How much does a tow cost per mile?
Towing is usually priced as a hookup fee plus a per-mile rate, and both vary by company, region, vehicle type and time of day. Some cities and states also set rules for certain tows. Before you agree, ask for the hookup fee, the per-mile rate, where the mileage starts, and any after-hours or special equipment charges.
What is a hookup fee in towing?
The hookup fee, sometimes called a base rate or hook fee, is the flat charge for coming out and securing the vehicle to the truck. It covers dispatch, equipment and the time to load. Mileage is added on top. Some companies include a few miles in the hookup fee, so ask how it works when comparing quotes.
Why do tows cost more at night?
After-hours tows mean paying drivers for nights, weekends and holidays, and keeping trucks ready around the clock. Many towing companies add a surcharge for those calls, either as a percentage or a flat amount. A reputable company will tell you the surcharge on the phone, before the truck is dispatched.
Keep going: related tools
Locksmith Profit Calculator
See what a locksmith call-out really earns after parts, drive time and the cost of the tech and van.
Use it freeAuto Repair Estimate Calculator
Build an itemized auto repair estimate from book labor hours, your labor rate, parts with markup and a shop supplies charge.
Use it freeMoving Weight Calculator
Estimate how much a household weighs, how many cubic feet it fills and what size truck fits, starting from the number of furnished rooms.
Use it freeLimo Price Calculator
Get an all-in limo or car service quote from hours booked, your minimum, the hourly rate, gratuity and fuel and fees.
Use it freeLead Value Calculator
Find out what extra leads from marketing are worth in booked jobs and revenue, per month and per year.
Use it freeLocal Services Ads Calculator
Plan a Google Local Services Ads budget around your real numbers.
Use it free