Towing Rates
What does a tow cost in Portland?
Affordable towing across Portland & Vancouver — here's exactly what moves the price, and how to get a real quote before a truck is dispatched.
Call 503.705.7000No Surprises On The Invoice
Nobody shops for a tow on a good day. You want to know what it costs, and you want the truck moving. Crown quotes every tow up front over the phone — hook-up, mileage, and any recovery work — so the number you hear on the call is the number on the invoice.
We don't publish a single flat price, because a two-mile tow of a sedan in North Portland and a winch-out on Highway 26 aren't the same job. What we can do is show you every factor that goes into the price, so you know whether the quote you're getting — from us or anyone else — is fair.
Get a towing quote — 503.705.7000What Moves The Price Of A Tow
Distance of the tow
Most towing in Portland is priced as a hook-up fee plus a per-mile rate. A short hop across NE Portland costs far less than a tow out to Hillsboro or Vancouver.
Type of truck required
A wheel-lift handles most standard front-wheel-drive cars. Low-clearance, AWD, EV, and luxury vehicles need a flatbed, which costs more to dispatch and operate.
How hard the vehicle is to reach
A car in an open lot loads quickly. A vehicle in a tight garage, down an embankment, or stuck in mud needs winching or recovery equipment, which is billed separately.
Time of day
Overnight, weekend, and holiday calls typically carry a higher rate than a scheduled weekday tow, because a truck and operator are being pulled out for you.
Where you're starting from
Calls inside the Portland metro are the most affordable. Longer runs from the Gorge, the coast highway, or south of Salem add drive time in both directions.
Who's paying
AAA membership, an auto policy with towing coverage, or an at-fault claim can cover part or all of the bill. We're AAA approved and bill insurers directly when the claim allows it.
How To Keep Your Bill Down
Know your destination before you call. Mileage is the biggest variable. If the car is headed for repair anyway, towing it straight to the shop avoids paying for a second tow later.
Check your coverage first. Look at your auto policy's towing and labor line, or your AAA membership mileage allowance. Many drivers pay cash for a tow their policy already covers.
Describe the vehicle accurately. Telling dispatch it's an AWD or an EV means the right truck arrives first time — a wasted rollout costs you.
Ask whether it's a tow or a roadside fix. A dead battery, a flat, or an empty tank is usually cheaper to solve roadside than to tow.
The Tow And The Repair In One Call
Most towing companies hand you off. Crown runs its own fleet and an I-CAR Gold Class, AAA Approved collision center at 8510 N Kerby Ave. If your vehicle needs body work after the tow, it's already where it needs to be — no second tow, no second invoice, and a lifetime workmanship guarantee on the repair.
Cash, major credit cards, and direct insurance billing on covered claims.
Towing Price Questions We Hear Every Day
How much does a tow cost in Portland?
Portland tows are almost always quoted as a hook-up fee plus a per-mile charge, with adjustments for truck type, time of day, and how difficult the vehicle is to reach. Because those variables move the number a lot, we quote your exact tow on the phone before a truck rolls — call 503.705.7000 with your location, destination, and vehicle and you'll get a real number, not a range.
Is there a cheap towing option in Portland?
The most affordable tow is a short, straightforward one: a standard vehicle, an accessible location, and a destination inside the metro. Tell our dispatcher what you're driving and where it's going and we'll route the least expensive truck that can safely do the job — we won't send a flatbed if a wheel-lift handles it.
Do you charge extra for nights and weekends?
After-hours, weekend, and holiday calls are priced higher than a scheduled weekday tow. You'll hear that price on the call, before you commit.
Will my insurance or AAA cover the towing bill?
Often, yes. Many Oregon auto policies include towing and labor coverage, and AAA membership covers towing up to a set mileage. Crown is an AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, so we work inside those programs regularly and can tell you what's likely covered before dispatch.
Do I pay for the tow if my car is going to your collision shop?
If the tow is part of an insurance claim, the towing charge is usually part of the claim rather than an out-of-pocket cost. Because Crown runs the tow fleet and the I-CAR Gold Class collision shop, there's one handoff instead of two vendors billing you separately.
What payment methods do you accept?
Cash, major credit cards, and direct insurance billing on covered claims.
Contact Us
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You're talking to the same crew that shows up.
Crown dispatch answers in person — no call centers, no triage queues.
- 8510 N Kerby Ave, Portland, OR 97217
- info@crowntowingandcollisionrepair.com