How much does a tow cost in Philadelphia?
What drives the price, what PPA 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We do not publish a rate card, and that is deliberate.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 Philadelphia 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: PPA's own boot, tow and storage fees, cited to the published schedule, 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 city-to-collar-county run, or Center City to West Chester. |
| 50 - 100 miles | Quoted as a route total | Quoted as a route total | Quoted per job | Atlantic City, New York, Baltimore and Harrisburg 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 PPA charges
These are not our prices and they are not estimates. PPA publishes them, and they only apply when PPA is the one that towed you. A suburban township impound sets its own fee entirely.
| Item | Amount | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Boot removal | $150 | PPA published fee |
| Tow, vehicle under 11,000 lbs | $175 | PPA published fee, philapark.org/tow |
| Storage per 24 hours, under 11,000 lbs | $25 plus 22.5% tax | PPA published fee |
| Find a towed car | findmytowedcar.org | Or call 888-591-3636 |
| Snow-emergency tows | (215) 686-SNOW | PPA snow-emergency line |
| Owner reclaim window | 30 days after mailed notice | Title 75 §§7301-7308 |
Boots and snow-emergency tows are a different situation
PPA publishes the boot rules separately from the tow-and-storage schedule. Snow-emergency parking is banned on marked routes when the city declares one. We show both rather than picking one.
| Item | Amount | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Boot trigger | 3 tickets or $300 owed | PPA boot rule |
| Boot fee | $150 | Paid with the outstanding tickets |
| Hours after boot before a tow | 72 hours | The $175 tow fee does not apply until 72 hours after the boot |
| Snow-emergency parking | Banned on marked routes | Find the car at (215) 686-SNOW or findmytowedcar.org |
What about a long-distance tow out of Philadelphia?
Philadelphia sits on I-95, I-76 and I-676, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia to Atlantic City | about 60 miles | Route quoted |
| Philadelphia to New York | about 95 miles | Route quoted |
| Philadelphia to Baltimore | about 100 miles | Route quoted |
| Philadelphia to Harrisburg | about 105 miles | Route quoted |
| Philadelphia to Washington DC | about 140 miles | Route quoted |
| Philadelphia to Pittsburgh | about 305 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. Inside the city the 11,000 lb line also decides which PPA fee tier applies if PPA 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 Philadelphia drivers ask about tow pricing?
How much does it cost to tow a car 10 miles in Philadelphia?
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 PPA charge if it tows my car?
PPA publishes it. For a vehicle under 11,000 pounds the boot is $150, the tow is $175, and storage is $25 per day plus 22.5 percent tax. Look the car up at findmytowedcar.org or call 888-591-3636. Snow-emergency tows also have (215) 686-SNOW. Lots include Lot 1 on Weccacoe, Lot 6 on Bath Street and Lot 10 on Oregon Avenue.
What about a boot versus a snow-emergency tow?
PPA boots after 3 unpaid tickets or $300 owed. After the boot you have 72 hours to pay before the $175 tow applies. A snow-emergency tow is separate: parking is banned on marked snow-emergency routes when the city declares one, and you find the car at (215) 686-SNOW or findmytowedcar.org. Check which situation you are in before you argue about a number.
Does a suburb charge the same as the city?
No. Every township runs its own impound and sets its own fee. Title 75 §3352 caps storage at $25 per day only if the municipality has not set a rate. Call the department that ordered the tow.
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 24/7, and you get the number before an operator is dispatched.