Portland Towing FAQ: What It Costs, How Long It Takes, and What to Do When You Need a Tow

Nobody reads a towing FAQ for fun. You're here because your car isn't going anywhere and you need straight answers. Here they are.

How much does a tow cost in Portland?

For a standard light-duty tow, expect roughly $100 to $150 for the hookup plus $3 to $5 per mile. A 10-mile tow across town typically lands between $100 and $200. Heavy-duty is a different world: semi and box truck recoveries run hourly or by the job.

Quick note on these numbers: they're honest ballparks, not quotes. Prices move with fuel costs, time of day, and the details of your situation. The only number that counts is the one we give you on the phone before the truck rolls, and we stand behind that one.

How long until the truck gets here?

In Portland, Gresham, and Clackamas, we're usually on scene in 30 to 45 minutes. Out toward Sandy, Boring, or up Highway 26 in bad weather, it can take longer, and we'll tell you that upfront instead of promising 20 minutes and showing up in an hour.

Do you tow electric vehicles?

Yes, and we do it right. EVs don't have a true neutral, so dragging one with its drive wheels on the ground can fry a drive motor worth thousands. EVs go on a flatbed, period. When you call, just tell the dispatcher it's electric, the make and model, and whether it still powers on.

What should I do right after an accident?

Check yourself and your passengers first. Call 911 if anyone's hurt. If the cars are drivable and it's safe, move them out of the travel lanes and put your hazards on. Then document everything: photos of both vehicles, the scene, the plates, and the insurance cards. And know this: you get to choose your own tow company, even at an accident scene. Nobody can force their wrecker on you.

Do you pull cars out of ditches?

All the time. Winch-outs from ditches, snowbanks, and embankments are a big part of what we do, especially on Highway 26 and the back roads around Sandy and Estacada. Don't spin your tires. Flooring it just digs you deeper. Call us, stay visible, and wait for the winch.

What areas do you cover?

Portland, Gresham, Sandy, Clackamas, Happy Valley, Troutdale, Boring, Damascus, and Estacada, plus the corridors that connect them: I-5, I-84, I-205, Highway 26, Highway 212, and Highway 224. If you're stuck on the shoulder anywhere in that footprint, we're your call.

Are you really 24/7?

Yes. Nights, weekends, holidays, 3 AM on a Sunday in the rain. A real person answers the phone around the clock, not a machine that promises a callback.

How do I pay?

We take major credit and debit cards. Payment is due at the time of service unless you're going through insurance or a motor club, in which case we bill them directly. No surprises: you approve the price before the truck rolls.

Still have a question we didn't answer? Call (503) 253-3030. We're here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we'd rather answer it now than winch you out of a ditch later.