How much does a tow cost in Atlanta?
What drives the price, what the City of Atlanta 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We do not publish a rate card, and that is deliberate.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 Atlanta 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 City of Atlanta's own pound fees, cited to the ordinance, 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 downtown-to-outer-county run, or Marietta to Hartsfield-Jackson. |
| 50 - 100 miles | Quoted as a route total | Quoted as a route total | Quoted per job | Canton, Douglasville and the far edge 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 the City of Atlanta charges
These are not our prices and they are not estimates. The city publishes them, and they only apply when the City of Atlanta is the one that towed you. A county impound sets its own fee entirely.
| Item | Amount | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum towing fee | $125 | Atlanta Code § 162-227, below the state maximum |
| Storage, first 24 hours | No charge | No storage fee for the first 24-hour period from removal |
| Dollies, trailers, lifts, slim jims | No extra charge | The fee is all-inclusive |
| Accepted payment | Cash, check, debit or major card | No surcharge on any method |
Private-property tows use the state maximum
Georgia sets a statewide maximum for private-property non-consensual tows under DPS Tariff No. 5. The city cap and the state maximum are different rules. We show both rather than picking one.
| Item | Amount | Source note |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum tow fee | $228 | Vehicles 10,000 lbs GVWR and under |
| Storage, first 24 hours | No charge | No storage for the first 24 hours |
| Maximum daily storage | $33/day | After the first 24 hours |
| Additional fees after 72 hours | Up to $65 | Per Tariff No. 5 |
| Maximum notification charges | $91 | Total per tow |
What about a long-distance tow out of Atlanta?
Atlanta is where the interstates meet, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta to Macon | about 85 miles | Route quoted |
| Atlanta to Chattanooga | about 120 miles | Route quoted |
| Atlanta to Birmingham | about 150 miles | Route quoted |
| Atlanta to Augusta | about 150 miles | Route quoted |
| Atlanta to Nashville | about 250 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 state maximum rates under Tariff No. 5 cover vehicles up to 10,000 pounds.
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 Atlanta drivers ask about tow pricing?
How much does it cost to tow a car 10 miles in Atlanta?
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 of Atlanta charge if it tows my car?
The city publishes it. Under the Atlanta Code of Ordinances section 162-227 the maximum towing fee is $125, with no storage fee for the first 24-hour period after removal. The fee is all-inclusive, so there is no extra charge for dollies, trailers, lifts or slim jims. Payment can be cash, check, debit or a major card at no surcharge.
Why do I see two different fee sets?
Because two rules apply. The City of Atlanta caps its own tows at $125 under section 162-227. Private-property tows across Georgia are capped separately by the state, under Georgia DPS Maximum Rate Tariff No. 5, at $228 for a vehicle 10,000 pounds or under, plus up to $33 a day in storage after the first 24 hours. Check which situation you are in before you argue about a number.
Does a county charge the same as the city?
Not exactly. DeKalb County, for example, runs its own impound lot at 2158 Tucker Industrial Rd in Tucker with a $125 impound fee and $15 a day storage. Private-property tows anywhere in Georgia fall under the state maximum in DPS Tariff No. 5. Call the department or company 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.