A local tow costs $75 to $250 in 2026
Most companies charge a hookup fee of about $35 to $100, then $2.50 to $7 a mile. AAA Classic covers the first 5 miles. Miles after the membership cap are often about $7 each at participating clubs. An impound tow is a different bill: hook plus a daily storage fee.
What goes into the price
| Hookup plus miles | Published 2026 guides put the hook at $35 to $100 and the rolling rate at $2.50 to $7 a mile. A 5-mile tow without a membership is commonly $75 to $150. |
|---|---|
| After hours and weekends | Nights, weekends and holidays often add a flat surcharge or a higher per-mile rate. Ask for the after-hours number before they roll. |
| AAA Classic limit | Classic covers 4 tows a year and the first 5 miles of each. Plus and Premier raise the free miles, often to 100 miles or more depending on the club. Miles past the cap are billed on the spot. Some clubs publish $7 a mile for the extra distance. |
| Impound hook | A police or parking-lot hook is set by the city or county. Published 2026 fee sheets show hooks around $135 to $250 for a normal car, then storage of about $40 to $75 a calendar day. |
| Winch and extra labor | A car in a ditch or a parking garage can add a winch line billed in 15-minute blocks. That is on top of the hook. |
| Cash vs membership | Paying cash is fine for a short, planned tow. Membership wins if you break down more than once a year or you need a long haul to a shop. |
The detail a quote hides
The number on the phone is the hook, not the total. Miles, night rates, a dolly, a gate fee at the yard and the first day of storage stack after the truck is moving. AAA changes the math only inside the free-mile cap. Past that cap you pay the club's extra-mile rate in cash at the truck.
What will my tow cost?
Miles, time of day and membership. The estimate updates as you change them.
Hook $35 to $100 and $2.50 to $7 a mile from published 2026 tow guides. AAA extra miles often $7.
Common questions
How much does a tow truck cost in 2026?
A short local tow is often $75 to $250. The common formula is a $35 to $100 hook plus $2.50 to $7 a mile.
How far does AAA tow for free?
Classic: first 5 miles, 4 tows a year. Higher tiers cover more miles. Extra miles are billed at the club rate, often about $7 a mile.
Why is an impound so expensive?
You pay the hook the city allows, then a storage fee for every day the car sits. A weekend in the yard can cost more than the hook.
Can they take a card?
Ask before they hook. Some trucks are cash or card-on-phone only, especially at night.
Do I have to use the cop's tow?
For a private breakdown, no. For a police impound, the rotation wrecker on scene is usually the one that gets the car.