As a rough planning figure, not a local quote, an ordinary car moved a few miles often costs somewhere around $100 to $350, with the final number driven by distance, time of day, truck type and who ordered the tow. The ranges on this page are rough guides of the same kind. Rates differ between companies and change over time, so ask the provider for its exact total before the hookup.
Most surprises on a towing bill come from extras that were never mentioned on the phone: an after-hours surcharge, a per-mile charge that starts after the first few miles, or daily storage at the yard. Knowing the usual line items lets you ask about each one up front.
Typical charges and what they cover
| Line item | Common range | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Hookup or base fee, light vehicle | About $75 to $175 | How many miles are included? |
| Per-mile charge after included miles | About $3 to $8 per mile | Does mileage start at the pickup or at the truck's starting point? |
| Flatbed or special equipment | Often a modest add-on, sometimes included | Is the price the same for a flatbed? |
| Nights, weekends, holidays | A flat surcharge or a higher rate | What is the after-hours charge? |
| Winching or recovery | Often billed by the hour, roughly $100 to $300 per hour | Is there a minimum, and is it per truck or per driver? |
| Yard storage, passenger car | Roughly $40 to $100 or more per day | When does the first day end, and is a partial day billed as a full day? |
| After-hours release ("gate") fee | Varies; capped for private-property tows | What hours is the yard open? |
Service calls that do not involve towing are usually cheaper than a tow. A jump start, a spare tire change or a small fuel delivery commonly falls in the range of $50 to $125, while lockouts vary more widely. Those ranges also assume a standard passenger vehicle; heavier trucks, RVs and vans cost more.
What pushes the price up
- Distance. Once you leave the included miles, every mile is billed. Long hauls often switch to a different pricing model, with flat quotes and return-trip charges.
- Time of day. Calls between evening and early morning, on weekends and on holidays commonly cost more.
- Vehicle and equipment. AWD, electric, lifted and very low vehicles generally need a flatbed, and heavier vehicles need larger trucks. See the comparison of flatbed and wheel-lift towing.
- Difficult access. A car that is off the pavement, in a basement garage or down a farm road takes longer and may require winching.
- Waiting time. If the driver waits for the tow to be authorized, or for you to find keys, some companies bill for it.
- Storage. A $150 tow can become a $500 problem in a few days if the car sits at a yard. Daily charges start quickly after a tow, which is why getting a towed car out promptly matters.
Who ordered the tow changes the rules
Tows you request. When you call a company yourself, the price is a matter of agreement between you and the provider. California Vehicle Code section 22513 requires an itemized written estimate before the truck attaches to your vehicle if you or the driver are present, and the estimate must list the company's motor carrier permit number and how storage is charged. The estimate is also your protection: no charge may exceed it without your consent.
Tows ordered by law enforcement. If the California Highway Patrol or local police direct the tow, the same section caps the fee at the greater of the rate in the tow company's agreement with the agency or the rate the CHP has approved for that operator. Because the CHP approves rates operator by operator, the ceiling is not one fixed number across the county. The CHP Rotation Tow Program page explains how the program works.
Private-property tows. Section 22658 treats a charge as excessive if it exceeds the greater of the same two rates, and the operator must produce its CHP-approved rate within 24 hours when police or a prosecutor asks for it. After-hours release is limited too: the gate fee may not exceed half the hourly rate charged for the original tow.
City fees are separate from the tow bill
If the Fresno Police Department impounds the vehicle, the owner may owe a city administrative fee on top of whatever the tow yard charges. The amount depends on the reason for the impound, from $60 for a collision that blocks the road to $450 when the driver is cited for DUI, according to the City of Fresno police FAQ; a car that was only stored, not impounded, carries no police fee. The full list is in the guide to getting a towed car back, and the city can change the amounts at any time.
Ways to keep the total down
- Ask for the all-in price, including mileage, equipment and any surcharge, before agreeing.
- Choose a nearby destination when you have a choice; a trusted shop a few miles away is cheaper than one across the county.
- Check whether your auto policy, credit card, or a membership already includes towing. A plan that covers the first several miles of towing can erase the bill for a short tow; see the roadside plan comparison.
- Pay by card and keep the itemized invoice. The estimate and the invoice should match.
- Move the car out of the yard as soon as you can; storage compounds the bill.
For ways to separate fair operators from predatory ones, see how to choose a tow company.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a basic tow cost in Fresno?
There is no single local rate. As a rough planning figure, a standard car moved a short distance often costs somewhere around $100 to $350, depending on the base fee, mileage and time of day. Ask the company for its exact total before the truck leaves.
Why was I charged for storage when I collected the car the same day?
Yards bill storage by the day, and a partial day often counts as a full one. For a private-property tow, California law limits the charge to one day of storage if the car is released within 24 hours of arriving at the yard. Ask how the yard counts days before you pay.
Does the mileage charge start where the truck starts or where my car is?
It depends on the company. Some count miles only from the pickup point, while others bill from where the truck sets out, which adds up when it comes from far away. Ask before you agree, and check that the written estimate shows how the miles are counted.
Do I pay extra for a tow at night or on a weekend?
Many companies add a surcharge or raise the rate after hours, on weekends and on holidays. It is a fair question to ask on the phone, along with whether the yard charges a gate fee to release the car outside business hours.
Who pays when the police order the tow?
Generally the vehicle owner pays the tow and storage charges, even when an officer chose the company. The charge may not exceed the greater of the company's rate under its agreement with the agency or its CHP-approved rate, and an owner who believes the tow was not justified can ask the agency for a hearing, usually within 10 days of the storage notice.