Towing Cost Estimate Calculator
Estimate a tow bill from hook-up fee, mileage, vehicle class and after-hours surcharges.
Enter your values
Enter the hook-up / base fee in $.
Enter the per-mile rate in $/mi.
Enter the distance towed in mi.
Choose one of: Motorcycle, Car / small SUV, Truck / large SUV, Heavy duty / RV.
Enter the winching / recovery in $.
Enter the after-hours surcharge in $.
Enter the storage nights you are working with.
Enter the storage per night in $.
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- Estimated total
- $155.00
- Hook-up + mileage (class adjusted)
- $155.00
- Mileage charge
- $80.00
- Extras
- $0.00
- Cost per mile all-in
- $7.75
Working
- 1Mileage: 20 mi × $4.00 = $80.00
- 2($75.00 + $80.00) × class 1 = $155.00
- 3Plus extras $0.00 → $155.00
Quick answer
A typical tow costs a $50–$125 hook-up fee plus $3–$7 per mile. A 20-mile tow of a standard car usually lands between $100 and $200; heavy-duty and after-hours tows cost considerably more.
Total = hook-up + (rate × miles) × class factor + extras
At a glance
| What it does | Estimate a tow bill from hook-up fee, mileage, vehicle class and after-hours surcharges. |
|---|---|
| Category | Auto |
| Inputs needed | Hook-up / base fee, Per-mile rate, Distance towed, Vehicle class, Winching / recovery, After-hours surcharge, Storage nights, Storage per night |
| Main output | Estimated total |
| Formula | Total = hook-up + (rate × miles) × class factor + extras |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
How to use the Towing Estimate Calculator
- 1Enter the hook-up fee and per-mile rate your operator quoted.
- 2Set the distance and vehicle class.
- 3Add winching, after-hours and storage charges.
Inputs explained
- Hook-up / base fee($)
- Enter the hook-up / base fee in $.
- Per-mile rate($/mi)
- Enter the per-mile rate in $/mi.
- Distance towed(mi)
- Enter the distance towed in mi.
- Vehicle class
- Choose one of: Motorcycle, Car / small SUV, Truck / large SUV, Heavy duty / RV.
- Winching / recovery($)
- Enter the winching / recovery in $.
- After-hours surcharge($)
- Enter the after-hours surcharge in $.
- Storage nights
- Enter the storage nights you are working with.
- Storage per night($)
- Enter the storage per night in $.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Hook-up / base fee75 $
- Per-mile rate4 $/mi
- Distance towed20 mi
- Vehicle classCar / small SUV
- Winching / recovery0 $
- After-hours surcharge0 $
- Storage nights0
- Storage per night45 $
Results
- Estimated total$155.00
- Hook-up + mileage (class adjusted)$155.00
- Mileage charge$80.00
- Extras$0.00
- Cost per mile all-in$7.75
- Mileage: 20 mi × $4.00 = $80.00
- ($75.00 + $80.00) × class 1 = $155.00
- Plus extras $0.00 → $155.00
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 20-mile tow cost?
Usually $100–$200 for a standard car: a $75 hook-up fee plus about $4 per mile. Heavy-duty vehicles can be two to three times more.
Why are after-hours tows more expensive?
Nights, weekends and holidays carry a call-out surcharge, typically $50–$100, because the operator is on overtime.
What do I need to enter into the Towing Estimate Calculator?
Just 8 values: hook-up / base fee, per-mile rate, distance towed, vehicle class, winching / recovery, after-hours surcharge, storage nights, storage per night. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the Towing Estimate Calculator work out the answer?
A typical tow costs a $50–$125 hook-up fee plus $3–$7 per mile. A 20-mile tow of a standard car usually lands between $100 and $200; heavy-duty and after-hours tows cost considerably more. It applies the formula Total = hook-up + (rate × miles) × class factor + extras and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the Towing Estimate Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.