Straight Answers
Towing Questions, Answered
What a tow costs in Columbus, what Ohio lets a towing company charge, and how to get a truck to you fast. Every price here comes from our published rate card.
Call (740) 812-9489
Call (740) 812-9489 · Request a tow now (SOS) · Get an online quote
Build an exact quote from the rate card · Impound & private-property towing · About the company
Roadside Towing & Recovery Inc (dba Columbus Roadside Towing).
Corporate office (private, no walk-ins): 3879 Regatta Ct, Lewis Center, OH 43035
Tow yard & impound lot: 1620 Harrisburg Pike, Columbus, OH 43223
(740) 812-9489 · chris@columbusroadsidetowing.com
View our location on Google Maps
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get my car towed in Columbus, Ohio?
Call Roadside Towing & Recovery Inc at (740) 812-9489: we tow cars, trucks and SUVs throughout Columbus and the surrounding suburbs from our yard at 1620 Harrisburg Pike, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Dispatch sends the nearest available truck to your location.
How much does it typically cost to tow a car?
A local tow with Roadside Towing & Recovery Inc costs $125 plus $7 per loaded mile, plus $4 per en-route mile from our yard, so a 10-mile tow is $195 plus en-route and Ohio sales tax. That is a $125 hook-up fee plus loaded mileage, plus $4 a mile for the drive from our yard to you; after-hours, weekend and highway calls add a surcharge, and dispatch quotes your exact price on the phone before the truck rolls. Call (740) 812-9489.
How much does local towing usually cost?
A local tow within Columbus with Roadside Towing & Recovery Inc is usually $160–$230 plus en-route: 5 to 15 loaded miles at our published rate of $125 plus $7 per loaded mile, plus $4 per en-route mile from our yard. After-hours calls (10 PM–6 AM) add $150, weekends $50 and highway pickups $75, and we give you the full price before the truck rolls.
How much will it cost to tow my truck?
Pickups and SUVs are priced like cars, $125 plus $7 per loaded mile, plus $4 per en-route mile from our yard, and larger or heavier trucks add a $100 large-vehicle surcharge. We tow light- and medium-duty trucks ourselves and arrange heavy-duty tows through our heavy-duty partner; tell us the make, model and where it's going, and we'll quote it on the call: (740) 812-9489.
What are the towing fees in Ohio?
It depends on who ordered the tow. For a tow you request, the price is set by the company you call, so ask for the full price up front. For a tow from private property without your consent, Ohio caps the fees: under Ohio Administrative Code 4901:2-24-03 (effective January 1, 2026), the most a tower may charge for a vehicle under 10,001 pounds is $144 for the tow and $22 a day for storage.
How much can a towing company legally charge in Ohio?
For a tow from private property without your consent, no more than $144 for the tow and $22 a day for storage on a vehicle under 10,001 pounds ($247 and $38 a day from 10,001 to 26,000 pounds, $410 and $82 a day above that); those maximums are set by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. For a tow you call for yourself there's no state price cap, which is why Roadside Towing & Recovery Inc publishes its rates and quotes every job before dispatch.
What's the cheapest way to get a tow?
The cheapest tow is the one your coverage pays for. Check first whether your auto insurance, your car's warranty or a roadside membership includes towing; our CONVINI VIP Membership Program ($99–$399 a year) includes 1–4 tows a year. If you have no coverage, call a local company that quotes a flat price up front, such as Roadside Towing & Recovery Inc at (740) 812-9489: $125 plus $7 per loaded mile, plus $4 per en-route mile from our yard.
Where can I find affordable tow truck service in Columbus, Ohio?
Roadside Towing & Recovery Inc offers affordable towing across Columbus with published, upfront pricing: $125 plus $7 per loaded mile, plus $4 per en-route mile from our yard, so a 10-mile local tow is $195 plus en-route and tax, with no hidden fees. Call (740) 812-9489 for a quote before we dispatch, or build one yourself with the online quote tool.
How do I get a car towed immediately?
Call a local towing company directly rather than going through an app or a national dispatcher. Roadside Towing & Recovery Inc dispatches from Columbus 24/7 and reaches most metro calls in 20–40 minutes (outer communities in 40–60): (740) 812-9489.
What is considered emergency towing?
Emergency towing is getting a vehicle moved right away because it's unsafe or can't be driven: after an accident, a breakdown on a highway or busy road, a vehicle in a ditch, or anyone stranded at night. Roadside Towing & Recovery Inc handles emergency tows across Columbus 24/7.
How can I get a car towed away for free?
Usually only when someone else pays for it. Your insurance or a roadside membership may cover a tow after a breakdown or accident. For a junk or non-running car you want gone, Roadside Towing & Recovery Inc offers junk car removal: call (740) 812-9489 with the year, make, model and location, and dispatch will quote the job.
What if I can't afford to get my car out of impound?
Act quickly, because storage fees grow every day. Ask the impound lot for an itemized bill, check whether your insurance covers towing and storage, and ask whether a payment plan is available. If your vehicle is in the Roadside Towing & Recovery Inc yard, we offer payment plans: call (740) 812-9489 to set one up.
How can I avoid paying tow fees?
Park only where you're allowed, and keep a roadside plan through your insurance or a membership. If you get to your car while it is being hooked up in a private tow-away zone, Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code 4513.601) lets you pay no more than half the removal fee, at most $72 for a vehicle under 10,001 pounds, and move it right away.