Disclaimer: TowCars.com is a nationwide towing information and referral service. We don’t tow, dispatch, or store vehicles, and we aren’t responsible for the work, prices, or conduct of any towing company. If you send us a request, we pass it to independent providers who set their own prices and terms. See our disclosure.
Long-distance towing moves a vehicle a long way on a tow truck, usually a flatbed: to another city, across a state or into the next one. Drivers use it when a car breaks down far from home, when a buyer needs a non-running car brought back, or when a vehicle has to reach a specialist shop. For very long trips, an auto transport carrier may be a better fit, so it’s worth knowing the difference before you book.
Long-distance towing vs. car transport
A tow truck usually carries one vehicle straight from pickup to drop-off. Auto transport carriers move several vehicles on a larger trailer on a schedule, which can make them a better value over hundreds of miles, but pickup dates are less flexible. Our towing vs. car transport guide compares the two in detail. As a rule of thumb, towing makes sense when the car is disabled and needs to move now, or when the trip is short enough that a dedicated truck is practical.
When you need it
- A breakdown on a road trip, when you want the car repaired near home.
- Buying a non-running or unregistered vehicle from another city.
- Moving a car to a dealer, specialist or body shop that is far away.
- Relocating when the car isn’t safe or legal to drive.
What affects the cost
Distance dominates. Most providers charge a base fee plus a per-mile rate, and on long trips the mileage is most of the bill. Ask whether miles are counted from pickup or from the provider’s yard, and whether the return trip is included. Tolls, overnight stops, vehicle size and the need for a flatbed also matter. Roadside memberships cover only a set number of miles per tow, so you may pay for the rest; the tow truck cost guide explains how these limits work.
The tow cost calculator has a “Long-distance” option that accepts trips of up to 1,000 miles and gives a rough range from published per-mile data. Treat it as a starting point and get written quotes for the real figure.
What to have ready
- Full pickup and drop-off addresses, and contact details for someone at each end if you won’t be there.
- Year, make, model, drivetrain, and whether it is electric or modified.
- Whether the car runs, rolls and steers, and where the keys will be.
- Your preferred pickup date and how flexible you are.
- Ownership paperwork, especially if the car was just bought.
Tips for a smooth long-distance tow
- Get the total quote in writing, including mileage, tolls and any fuel surcharge.
- Ask what insurance covers your car while it is on the truck.
- Photograph the car from every angle at pickup and inspect it before signing at delivery.
- Remove personal items and toll tags.
- If the car will go into storage at either end, ask about daily fees; see how much tow yards can charge for storage.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the distance, how soon you need it moved and whether the car runs. Towing gives you a dedicated truck and faster pickup; transport carriers can be better value over very long trips. Get quotes for both.
Roadside memberships cover a set number of miles per tow, and you usually pay for extra miles at the provider’s rate. Check your plan’s limits before you book.
Some providers allow a passenger and some don’t. Ask when you request a quote.
Many providers do interstate tows. Ask whether they cover both your pickup and drop-off locations and how the trip is priced.
Tell us where the car is and where it needs to go, and we’ll pass your request to independent providers who cover the route.