How much does a tow cost in Phoenix?
What drives the price, what the government fees are, and why our own number is quoted before the truck rolls.
We do not publish a rate card, and that is deliberate. Quick Tow Phoenix 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 government fees, cited to the statute and city code, 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 steady share of the work here given the freeway volume across the Valley.
| 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 metro, 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 cross-Valley run, or downtown to Sky Harbor and back out. |
| 50 - 100 miles | Quoted as a route total | Quoted as a route total | Quoted per job | The Pinal edge and the far reaches of the metro 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 a police-ordered impound costs
These are not our prices and they are not estimates. They are set by state law, and they apply when police order the impound under ARS 28-3511. Another Maricopa city's police department follows the same $150 state fee, though storage and hearing details can differ.
| Item | Amount | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| State administrative fee | $150 | ARS 28-3513(B), paid to the impounding department |
| Storage per day | $25 | State cap on a 28-3511 impound |
| Mandatory hold | 20 days | 7 days for the human-smuggling subsection |
| Accepted payment | Cash, cashier's check or money order | Paid to the police department |
| Post-storage hearing | Request within 10 days | ARS 28-3514; held within 5 business days of the request |
A private-property tow uses a different set
A trespass tow off a lot, apartment or HOA is a separate track. Phoenix caps it under City Code 36-6. This is not the same as a police-ordered impound, so check which situation you are in.
| Item | Amount | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Total tow charge, vehicle that reached storage | $105.00 | Phoenix City Code 36-6 maximum |
| Storage per day | $12.00 | Phoenix City Code 36-6 maximum |
| Release before the vehicle leaves its spot | $20.00 | Load/unload where release is demanded on site |
What about a long-distance tow out of Phoenix?
Phoenix sits at the center of the state's freeways, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix to Tucson | about 115 miles | Route quoted |
| Phoenix to Flagstaff | about 145 miles | Route quoted |
| Phoenix to Yuma | about 185 miles | Route quoted |
| Phoenix to the California line at Blythe | about 150 miles | Route quoted |
| Phoenix to Las Vegas | about 300 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 washed-out desert road 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. Give the operator the class so the right truck is dispatched the first time.
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 Phoenix drivers ask about tow pricing?
How much does it cost to tow a car 10 miles in Phoenix?
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 a police impound cost if my car is towed under the 20-day law?
A police-ordered impound under ARS 28-3511 carries a $150 state administrative fee paid to the impounding department under ARS 28-3513(B), with storage capped at $25 per day and a mandatory 20-day hold. You pay the $150 to the police, get a release form, then pay the tow and storage at the assigned yard. Payment to the department is by cash, cashier's check or money order.
What can a private-property tow off a lot or HOA cost in Phoenix?
Phoenix caps it under City Code 36-6: a maximum $105.00 total tow charge for a vehicle that reached storage and a maximum $12.00 per day storage. If you demand release before the vehicle leaves its spot, the load or unload charge is capped at $20.00. These are city maximums, not our prices.
Is there a statewide cap on private tow rates?
No. Under ARS 9-499.05 there is no statewide dollar cap; the city may set the maximum rate, which is why Phoenix uses City Code 36-6. Other Maricopa cities set their own. The tower also has to phone police within one hour of the tow under ARS 28-4836. Call the department for the jurisdiction where it happened.
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 day and night, and you get the number before an operator is dispatched.