How Much Does Towing Cost in New Jersey?
You never plan to need a tow — but when you do, timing, location, and cost suddenly matter a lot. One of the most common questions we get at Chain Gang Towing & Recovery Agency is:
“How much does towing cost in New Jersey?”
The truth is that towing fees in NJ can vary based on a few different factors — but there are average ranges, and we’re going to lay them all out clearly right here.
The New Jersey Average Towing Cost
In 2025, most drivers in NJ will pay between $125 – $275 for a standard tow.
This is based on:
- Standard light-duty vehicle
- Normal access (not off-road, not stuck in mud/snow)
- Daytime hours
- Within local service radius
Every towing company sets its own pricing, but NJ is one of the highest cost states in the country due to strict insurance requirements, licensing, fuel/toll costs, and roadway risk.
What can change the price?
1. Distance
Most NJ towing companies charge two parts:
Hook-up fee (The flat fee to secure your vehicle to the truck)
Per-mile rate (How far it has to be taken)
A common NJ structure looks like this:
Fee | Typical NJ Range |
Hook-up fee | $75 – $150 |
Per-mile | $4 – $10+ per mile |
Shorter tows obviously cost less. But if you’re going 30+ miles, crossing bridges, or hopping from one county to another, mileage adds up.
2. Time of day
After 6PM, weekends, and holidays typically carry an evening or off-hours surcharge.
Night tows are more expensive — anywhere from $15 – $75 extra depending on the company.
3. Vehicle type
Different vehicles require different trucks.
Vehicle Type | Typical Price Increase |
Low sports cars | +$25 – $75 |
All-wheel-drive | +$25 – $75 |
Heavy duty trucks/vans | +$100+ |
Motorcycles | Usually cheaper |
4. Situation & recovery
If your car is simply disabled and accessible — that’s a basic tow.
If your car needs extra work to get it out — that’s “recovery”. Examples:
- Off road
- Stuck in mud or snow
- On a curb or embankment
- Vehicle is disabled in a ditch
Recovery fees can range anywhere from $75 – $500+ depending on danger, equipment, and labor required.
What About Police Seizure / Impound Tows?
If a Police Department calls a tow for an accident or impound, pricing is regulated differently and usually runs higher than a private direct customer call.
Plus: there will be daily storage fees added.
How to avoid being overcharged in NJ
Here’s what every driver should do before saying “yes” to a tow:
- Ask for a price quote before they hook up your car
- Ask what the per-mile rate is
- Confirm whether they charge for hook-up AND mileage
- Ask if the price changes based on payment method (some companies charge extra for card payments)
Why so many NJ drivers choose Chain Gang Towing & Recovery Agency
At Chain Gang Towing & Recovery Agency, we are proud to offer:
- Straightforward pricing
- Fast ETAs
- Professional operators
- Locally owned NJ company — not a national call-center
- We’ll give you a price upfront before we hook up
We’re here to help you — not gouge you when you’re having a stressful moment.
Final takeaway
A typical tow in New Jersey will cost:
$125 – $275 locally
with mileage, after hours, or special recovery possibly increasing that.
When in doubt — call us.
We’ll tell you the exact price before we even head out so there’s no surprise bill later.
Need a tow in New Jersey right now?
Chain Gang Towing & Recovery Agency is here for you.
We handle:
- Light & medium duty towing
- Roadside assistance
- Recovery
- Accident response
- Jump starts
- Tire changes
- Lockouts
- Winch outs
Fast — Honest — Professional.
When you need help — Chain Gang will never leave you stranded.
