How much does it cost to tow a car in Australia?

The cost of towing a car ranges from $100 to $450, depending on distance, location, and vehicle type.

Have a flat tyre or a dead battery? Do you need to clear out a junk car from your garage or haul your van to your new flat? In situations like these, it’s best to know the going rate for car towing and find a reputable, reasonably priced towing service near you.

In this guide, we’ll go through how much it costs to tow a car and the factors that affect rates. This way, you know what to expect from your towing company.

The average cost of towing a car per km in Australia ranges from $100 to $450. This will depend on several factors, from the distance from pickup to dropoff, the day/time of service, and your vehicle. 

Distance (Kilometres)	Average tow truck labour cost
Under 10km	$100 to $165
11km to 50km	$350 to $450
Additional km	Up to $7.30

Towing charges per km will usually have a flat rate for the first 10 kilometres. After this, tow truck companies may charge a fee for the next range (e.g. 11-50 km) or per additional kilometre. 

Car towing can get expensive and with good reason. You’re counting on a professional and licensed expert to manoeuvre your vehicle, connect or lift it onto a truck, and safely take it from point A to point B.

Here are some other reasons why your tow truck fees are priced a certain way. Let’s go through some of the factors affecting car towing prices:

Distance travelled by the tow truck

Earlier, we discussed distance as the primary factor for tow truck rates. However, different service providers will factor in distance differently. If your pickup point is quite far from the service provider, you might incur additional fees. 

Type of tow truck service

Service type	What’s needed
Flatbed truck	Ideal for driveable or steerable vehicles Ropes are attached to the vehicle through two points along the front wheels The car is then driven onto a flatbed The tow truck driver drives under the flatbed and lifts it up
Hook-lift truck	Comes with a ramp for easy loading and unloading Suitable for lighter vehicles like cars, mid-sized SUVs, and vans
All-wheel drive trucks	Suitable for large trucks, RVs, and caravans Requires two trucks and an entire team to get the vehicle in place and on the road

Vehicle type and size

Vehicle type	Average tow truck labour costs
Motorcycles	$80 base rate, additional $1 per km
Cars and other light vehicles	$100 base rate, additional $3.50 per km
Heavy vehicles	$120 base rate

Accessibility or ease of access to the vehicle
Car towing rates will also depend on how easy or hard it is to get to your vehicle. If your car is positioned in difficult terrain or narrow street, for instance, it’ll be harder for the tow truck driver to extract it. The tow truck driver might face challenges in reaching and securing the vehicle, which could result in additional fees. And if your van’s battery needs replacement, it’ll be unsteerable, making it more complicated to move.

Season, day and time of call-out

During certain times of the year, such as winter months or periods of extreme weather, the demand for towing services is higher due to more frequent breakdowns, accidents, or vehicles getting stuck in snow or ice. This increased demand means higher towing rates, as companies adjust their pricing to accommodate the increased workload.

That said, you can expect to pay $50 more for after-hours work, and up to $75 or higher for weekend and holiday towing.

Extra costs
Some other costs can include fuel surcharge, toll fees, and additional repair services like replacing your car engine or car timing belt. Towing companies typically charge separate fees for each of these supplementary services, adding to the base towing rate. A reliable towing service will be upfront about these extra fees.

Towing vehicles requires expertise, so it’s important to choose a reliable company to help you haul your car. Here are some tips to help you choose and work with a reputable towing service:

• Look into different towing companies and check reviews. Read reviews and be wary of companies with multiple complaints.
• Check their licence. Towing is a licenced service in Australia, so make sure the service provider is accredited by the authorities.
• Clarify costs and request an itemized receipt. Ask for a detailed quote and an itemized receipt. This can help you avoid hidden fees. Some towing services in Australia will provide a car towing cost calculator.
• Avoid unsolicited offers. Don’t let possible scammers call a “towing service” for you. Always look for a towing service yourself.
• Double-check information. This includes insurance coverage and the name of the driver who will pick up your vehicle.
• Mind your vehicle during the entire process. Check that the towing crew has the right gear (lights, reflectors, and signage). Make sure the crew secures your car with the necessary equipment such as chains and straps.

When you’re stuck on the side of the road, it’s easy to bite the bullet and hire the first towing service you find. But, understanding towing costs can help you make better decisions during and even after you get your car towed.

Now that you know more about the average cost to tow a car, you should know how much the rates go for and what you should do if you ever find yourself in such a situation. Oneflare offers reliable towing services and other car-related services like pre-purchase car inspection and wheel alignment with industry professionals to assist you in your time of need.

 

* The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources