How much does a tow cost in New York City?
What drives the price, what the NYPD charges, and why our own number is quoted before the truck rolls.
We do not publish a rate card, and that is deliberate. Quick Tow NYC is a referral service. The operator who does the work sets the price, and a figure we invented here would be a promise nobody had agreed to. What you get instead is the actual number for your actual job, on the phone, before anyone is dispatched.
What this page does give you is the part that is genuinely published: the NYPD's own pound fees and the city's private-lot caps, cited to their source, and an honest account of what moves the price of a private tow up or down.
How does distance change a tow quote?
Light-duty covers most cars, SUVs and pickups under 10,000 lb GVWR. Heavy-duty covers box trucks, RVs and commercial vehicles, which is a bigger share of the work here than in most metros because of the freight corridors.
| Distance | Wheel-lift | Flatbed | Heavy-duty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 miles | Quoted before dispatch | Quoted before dispatch | Quoted per job | The most common local call. In the city, access is usually harder than distance. |
| 5 - 10 miles | Quoted before dispatch | Quoted before dispatch | Quoted per job | Still a local move. Most quotes include a set number of miles. |
| 10 - 25 miles | Quoted before dispatch | Quoted before dispatch | Quoted per job | Mileage beyond what the quote covers is stated in the quote. |
| 25 - 50 miles | Quoted as a route total | Quoted as a route total | Quoted per job | Typical of a borough-to-borough run, or Manhattan out to JFK. |
| 50 - 100 miles | Quoted as a route total | Quoted as a route total | Quoted per job | The far edges of the metro and the first leg toward Philadelphia sit here. |
| 100+ miles | Quoted as a route total | Quoted as a route total | Quoted per job | One number for the whole route, including the reach to get to you. |
What the NYPD charges if it tows you
These are not our prices and they are not estimates. The NYPD publishes them, and they only apply when the NYPD is the one that towed you. A private-lot tow runs on a separate, capped schedule.
| Item | Amount | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Tow release, standard vehicle | $185 | NYPD tow pound, nyc.gov |
| Tow release, heavy duty (8,000+ lbs) | $370 | Same source, weight split |
| Storage per night | $20 | Accrues nightly from the tow |
| Reclaim window | Within 10 days | Before the vehicle can be sold |
| Accepted payment | Cash, card, certified check, money order | Card must be in the retriever's name |
| Bring | License, registration, insurance | Non-owner needs a notarized authorization letter |
Private-lot tows use a different, capped set
The city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection caps what a private lot can charge. These are the DCWP maximums, not our prices. We show both systems rather than picking one.
| Item | Amount | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Tow + first 3 days storage | $125 | DCWP cap, private lot |
| Storage per day after 3 days | $15 | DCWP maximum |
| Drop / hookup fee | $62.50 | If you return before the car is removed |
What about a long-distance tow out of New York City?
New York City sits at the top of the Northeast corridor, so a long run from here usually has a real destination. Every one is quoted as a single route total, including the reach to get to you. Scheduling ahead beats dispatching it as an emergency.
| Route | Distance | How it is priced |
|---|---|---|
| New York City to Philadelphia | about 95 miles | Route quoted |
| New York City to Albany | about 150 miles | Route quoted |
| New York City to Baltimore | about 190 miles | Route quoted |
| New York City to Boston | about 215 miles | Route quoted |
| New York City to Washington, DC | about 225 miles | Route quoted |
What do specialty towing and roadside jobs involve?
Motorcycles, electric vehicles, accident recovery, lockouts, jump starts and more. Each is quoted for the job in front of it.
| Service | How it is priced | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle tow | Quoted before dispatch | Bike, scooter or trike type and condition affect the equipment needed |
| EV tow (Tesla, Rivian and others) | Quoted before dispatch | Give the exact model and follow its manufacturer towing instructions |
| Accident and collision recovery | Quoted for the job | Scene access and the vehicle condition affect the quote |
| Winch-out (stuck vehicle) | Quoted before dispatch | A snow ditch and a soft event lot are different jobs |
| Lockout service | Quoted before dispatch | Give the year, make, model and key situation |
| Jump start | Quoted before dispatch | Describe the starting symptoms and vehicle before dispatch |
| Tire change | Quoted before dispatch | Using your spare. Does not include buying a tire |
| Fuel delivery | Quoted before dispatch | Fuel type, quantity and location are confirmed with the operator |
What factors affect how much a tow costs?
Vehicle size and weight
Cars and pickups under 10,000 lb are light-duty. Box trucks, RVs and motorhomes are heavy-duty and need different equipment. The 8,000 lb line also decides which NYPD fee tier applies if the NYPD is the one towing you.
Distance
A quote covers a set number of miles and says so. Beyond that, mileage is stated in the quote rather than discovered at the drop. Anything past about fifty miles is quoted as one route total.
Truck type required
The method must match the manufacturer's towing instructions, drivetrain, clearance and whether the wheels roll freely. Give the operator the year, make, model and condition so the required equipment can be confirmed.
Hookup difficulty
A clear driveway pickup and a vehicle in a ditch, median or narrow alley require different access and recovery work. Describe the scene accurately so the operator can include that difficulty in the quote before dispatch.
What do New York City drivers ask about tow pricing?
How much does it cost to tow a car 10 miles in New York City?
You get the number before an operator is dispatched, and that number covers the job rather than a starting figure that grows on arrival. We do not publish a private rate card here, because this brand does not set the operator's price. Give the vehicle, pickup location, destination and access details so the operator can confirm the quote.
What does the city charge if the NYPD tows my car?
The NYPD publishes it. A standard tow release is $185, heavy duty at 8,000 pounds and over is $370, and storage is $20 a night. You have 10 days to reclaim the vehicle, and you will need a valid license, current registration and insurance; a non-owner needs a notarized authorization letter.
Why do I see two different fee sets?
Because a car can be towed by two different systems. If the NYPD tows you for a parking violation, the pound fees above apply. If a private lot has you towed, the city caps that at $125 for the tow and first three days of storage, then $15 a day, with a $62.50 drop fee if you catch it before it is removed. Check which situation you are in before you argue about a number.
Does a private lot charge the same as the NYPD?
No. The NYPD pound and a DCWP-licensed private-lot operator run on different schedules, so a figure from one will not match the other. The private-lot caps are set by the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection; the pound fees are the NYPD's. Work out who towed you first.
How does the required tow method affect the quote?
The operator has to match the method to the manufacturer instructions, drivetrain, clearance and whether the wheels roll freely. Give the year, make, model and condition, and check the towing section of the owner's manual before the method and quote are confirmed.
Do you charge extra at night or on weekends?
The independent operator sets any night, weekend or holiday charge. Ask whether one applies and have it included in the confirmed quote before dispatch.
How can I get an accurate tow quote?
Give the exact vehicle, pickup point, destination, access conditions and whether the wheels roll. Check your own insurance or motor-club terms separately, because coverage and required dispatch steps vary. The operator confirms the service and complete quote before dispatch.
Need an exact quote right now?
Call us. The line takes calls around the clock, and you get the number before an operator is dispatched.