How Much Does Heavy-Duty Towing Cost?
Heavy-duty towing — wreckers, landolls, rotators — is priced differently than a standard car tow. Expect serious money, especially for complex recoveries or long-distance moves.
If an eligible provider responds, RoadService.app shows the customer-facing all-in total — including the RoadService job fee when applicable — before you accept.
Typical cost ranges
Ranges reflect 2026 US market rates. Actual costs vary by region, time of day, parts availability, and make/model.
| Repair / service | Low estimate | High estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Hook-up fee (light recovery) Getting the truck on the wrecker; local move of a disabled semi. | $250 | $600 |
| Heavy-duty wrecker (per mile) Per-mile rate after hook-up; long hauls billed at 75–100 cents per mile by some carriers. | $10 | $30 |
| Rotator / complex recovery Jackknife, rollover, or off-road recovery; highly variable by severity and time required. | $800 | $5,000+ |
| Storage fee (per day) If the truck sits at the tow yard; adds up fast after the first 24 hours. | $75 | $200 |
| Landoll / lowboy transport (long-haul) Per mile for equipment moves on a lowboy trailer; base charges apply. | $3 | $8 |
What affects the price?
The single biggest cost driver. A local tow is $300–$1,000; a 300-mile haul to a dealership can run $3,000–$8,000.
A simple breakdown tow is straightforward. A jackknifed truck, a rollover, or a truck in a ditch with a loaded trailer requires specialized equipment and multiple operators.
Loaded trailers change everything — you may need a licensed cargo handler to off-load before recovery. Load transfer is billed separately.
Night, weekend, and holiday calls run higher. Waiting time (when the wrecker operator sits while you arrange things) is often billed at $75–$150/hr.
FAQ — heavy duty towing cost semi truck
A local heavy-duty tow runs $500–$2,000. Long-distance hauls, complex recoveries, or loaded trailers can cost $3,000–$10,000 or more.
Motor truck cargo and commercial vehicle policies often cover towing. Check your policy limits — towing coverage caps are often low ($1,000–$2,500) and won't cover a full rotator recovery.
Submit your location, unit, and recovery details through RoadService.app. If an eligible provider responds, review and confirm its price and ETA before assignment; response and arrival are not guaranteed.
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Cost estimates reflect 2026 US market averages and do not constitute a quote. Actual prices depend on your location, vehicle make/model, fault severity, time of day, and provider rates. Always get an itemized quote before work starts.