How much does a tow cost in Detroit?
Short answer: a standard local tow with Skyline costs $125 in Wayne County and $145 in Oakland County, with the first 5 miles included. Jump starts, lockouts and tire changes are $100 in Wayne County and $125 in Oakland County.
- 24/7 dispatch
- Wayne, Oakland & Macomb
- Licensed, uniformed operators
- 20+ years of experience
Instant price · no phone call needed
What will my tow cost?
Estimate only, based on the addresses you enter, driving distance from map data (always rounded up to the next whole mile) and our posted prices. Your final price is confirmed on the phone before we dispatch. It can change if the vehicle can't be reached, needs extra equipment or the addresses differ. Prices are for standard light-duty tows and roadside services only and do not apply to impounded vehicles, impound retrieval, crash and accident towing, or medium- and heavy-duty towing. Macomb County and trips over 50 miles are quoted by phone.
Our prices
| Service | Wayne County | Oakland County |
|---|---|---|
| Standard local tow first 5 miles included | $125 | $145 |
| Each mile after the first 5 always rounded up to the next whole mile | $4 | $4 |
| Wheel skates / dollies car won't go into neutral | +$25 | +$25 |
| Jump start | $100 | $125 |
| Car lockout | $100 | $125 |
| Flat tire change | $100 | $125 |
The standard tow price is for a vehicle our truck can reach. If it won't go into neutral we add $25 for wheel skates or dollies. Macomb County and trips over 50 miles are quoted on the phone.
Updated September 30, 2026.
Detroit towing cost by distance
| Trip length | Wayne County incl. Detroit | Oakland County |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 miles | $125 | $145 |
| 10 miles | $145 | $165 |
| 15 miles | $165 | $185 |
| 25 miles | $205 | $225 |
| 50 miles | $305 | $325 |
Formula: base price (first 5 miles included) + $4 for each mile after 5, rounded up to a whole mile. Add $25 if the car won't go into neutral. Over 50 miles, Macomb County and accident recoveries are quoted by phone.
Police tow vs. calling a tow truck yourself
If police order your car towed in Detroit, you pay the City's police-tow rates, not a private company's. Detroit City Council raised the police-ordered passenger-vehicle tow fee to $225, plus a $75 administrative fee and daily storage, starting July 1, 2025 (BridgeDetroit). If your car breaks down and it's safe to do so, calling a tow company yourself is usually much cheaper: with Skyline a local Detroit tow is $125 and goes where you choose, not to a storage lot.
Most towing companies won't put a number on their website. We think you should know what you're paying before you call, so here it is.
What the $125 tow includes
- A tow of your car, SUV, pickup or van to the address you choose, whether that's a mechanic, dealer, body shop or your home.
- The first 5 miles.
- Hookup, loading and securing the vehicle.
That price is for a vehicle the truck can get to: a street, driveway or open parking lot. If it won't go into neutral, add $25 for skates or dollies. If it's buried in a tight garage or has to be winched out of somewhere, tell us when you call and we'll quote it upfront.
What changes the price
- Distance. The first 5 miles are included, then $4 per mile. We always round up to the next whole mile, so 12.2 miles is billed as 13. Trips over 50 miles are quoted as long-distance transport.
- Accidents and crashed vehicles. Recovery after a crash takes more time and equipment, so it's quoted separately. See accident towing.
- Won't go into neutral. If the car is stuck in park or the wheels won't turn, we put it on wheel skates or dollies: $25 extra.
- Location. Prices above are for Wayne and Oakland counties. Macomb County and long-distance transport are quoted per trip.
Examples
- Car won't start in a Detroit driveway, going 3 miles to a repair shop: $125.
- Dearborn to a Southfield shop, 12.4 miles (billed as 13): $125 + 8 miles × $4 = $157.
- Same trip, but the car is stuck in park: $157 + $25 dollies = $182.
- Dead battery in a Southfield parking lot, and it starts after a jump: $125 (Oakland County roadside price).
- Locked out at a Dearborn gas station: $100.
Is a jump start or a tow cheaper?
If the problem is only a dead battery, a flat tire or keys locked inside, roadside service is cheaper and faster than a tow. If the car still won't run after a jump, we can tow it on the same visit. Learn more about roadside assistance.
Tow truck near me: how fast can you get here?
Skyline runs its own trucks out of Detroit and covers Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties around the clock. Typical wait is 45 to 60 minutes, depending on traffic, weather and how busy the night is, and we'll give you an honest estimate on the phone. Find your city on our service areas page.
Paying
We confirm the price on the phone before a truck is dispatched, so there are no surprises when the operator arrives. You can also pay online.
Does insurance cover towing?
Many auto policies and motor clubs include towing or roadside coverage. Check your policy or call your insurer; some pay the tow company directly and others reimburse you after you send the receipt. We'll give you an itemized receipt either way.
Common questions
How much is a 10-mile tow in Detroit?
With Skyline Towing a 10-mile tow in Wayne County (including Detroit) is $145: $125 covers the first 5 miles, plus 5 miles at $4. In Oakland County the same trip is $165.
How much does a police tow cost in Detroit?
Police-ordered tows in Detroit are billed at City-set rates: $225 for a passenger vehicle plus a $75 administrative fee and daily storage, effective July 1, 2025. Calling a private tow company yourself when it's safe is usually cheaper; Skyline's local Detroit tow is $125.
How much does a tow cost in Detroit?
Skyline Towing charges $125 for a standard local tow in Wayne County, including the first 5 miles. Each extra mile is $4, rounded up to the next whole mile, and a car that won't go into neutral adds $25 for dollies. Accident recoveries are quoted on the phone.
How much does a tow cost in Oakland County?
$145 for a standard local tow with the first 5 miles included.
How much is a jump start?
$100 in Wayne County and $125 in Oakland County. Lockouts and flat tire changes are the same price.
How much does it cost to tow a car 10 miles?
In Wayne County: $125 for the first 5 miles plus 5 more miles at $4 each, so $145. In Oakland County: $165. Miles are always rounded up to the next whole mile.
What if my car won't go into neutral?
We put it on wheel skates or dollies so it can be moved without damage. That adds $25 to the tow.
Is there a tow truck near me right now?
If you're in Wayne, Oakland or Macomb County, yes. Skyline dispatches its own tow trucks 24/7 and sends the nearest available truck; typical wait is 45 to 60 minutes. Call (248) 832-6000 or use the calculator above to see your price first.
Do you charge more at night or on weekends?
We quote every call on the phone before we dispatch, so you'll know the exact price up front, whatever time it is.
Is towing an accident vehicle the same price?
No. Crash recoveries take more work and are quoted separately. Call and describe the situation.
Stuck right now?
Call us, or send the details online and we'll dispatch a truck.