Where to tow your car: home, repair shop or dealer?
On a tow you call for, you choose where the car goes. A dealer makes sense for warranty and recall work, an independent shop you trust is often best for general repairs, and your driveway is a sensible first stop when it is late, the shop is closed or you have not decided.
The short answer
On a tow you call for, you choose where the car goes. A dealer makes sense for warranty and recall work, an independent shop you trust is often best for general repairs, and your driveway is a sensible first stop when it is late, the shop is closed or you have not decided.
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Call nowYou choose the destination
When you call for a tow, the destination is your decision, not the driver's. Since the price is a flat hook fee plus a per-mile rate, the destination also affects what you pay. A few minutes thinking about where the car should go can save a second tow later.
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Call nowWhen the dealer is the right choice
If the car is under the manufacturer's warranty, the repair may be covered at the dealer. Open recalls are handled at dealers. Some newer and electric vehicles need tools, software or parts that dealers have and independent shops may not. Call the service department first if you can; some dealers are busy and may not look at a car for days, so it is worth knowing before the tow.
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Call nowWhen an independent shop is better
For an older car out of warranty, or for common repairs like brakes, cooling systems, starters and alternators, an independent shop you already trust is often the practical choice. It may be closer, which lowers the mileage on the tow. For crash damage, a body shop rather than a mechanical shop is usually where the car belongs, and you can generally choose it yourself even when an insurer suggests one. Our accident towing page covers that in detail.
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Call nowWhen home is the smart first stop
Late at night, on a holiday, or when you are not sure what is wrong, your driveway is a reasonable place to park the car until you can call a shop in the morning. A car left in a closed shop's lot overnight is usually fine if the shop allows it, but ask first; some lots are not secured. Home also gives you time to compare estimates. The cost is a second tow later, so weigh that against the time you gain.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowDistance, the shop's hours, and places to avoid
Because a tow is priced as a hook fee plus a per-mile rate, a shop ten miles away costs more than one two miles away. That is not a reason to pick the closest shop if you do not trust it, but it is worth knowing. If your preferred shop is far, ask the dispatcher for quotes to it and to a nearer option so you can decide with the numbers in front of you.
Think about how the car comes home, too. If the shop is near your work or a train line, getting back to pick up the car is easier. If the car is heading to a specialist far away, consider whether the repair justifies the distance.
A two-minute call to the shop before the tow saves trouble. Ask whether they are open, whether they work on your make, how soon they can look at it, and where they want the car left. Some shops have a drop-box for keys and a note form; others want you to come in. If the shop cannot take the car for a week, you may prefer a different shop or your driveway in the meantime.
Do not let the car go to a storage yard you did not choose. Daily storage adds up, and getting it out can take a trip in person and another tow. Be cautious if a driver you did not call pushes for a particular shop. If a shop is closed when we arrive, tell the dispatcher what you want: leave it in the lot if the shop allows that, or bring it to your driveway instead.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowWhat to tell the dispatcher
Also mention anything that limits access at the destination: a narrow driveway, a steep apron, a low garage, a gated lot or a shop with a busy front lot during the day. A flatbed needs room to tilt its bed and pull straight forward, and knowing in advance lets the driver plan where to unload.
If the car may not be worth repairing, an older vehicle with a major engine or transmission failure, for example, consider a destination that lets you get a diagnosis before committing to a costly repair. A trusted independent shop can tell you whether the repair makes sense. Towing the car home to think it over is also a reasonable choice when the car is not blocking anyone.
The pickup location, the destination address and name, whether the destination is open, and what the car is. If you are not sure where to go, say so and the dispatcher can quote a few options so you can compare. Call (908) 444-0129, or start with local towing for trips around town and long distance towing for anything farther.
One call, one flat quote, 24/7.
Call nowMore on breakdowns
Keep reading, or go back to every post on the blog.
- What to do when your car breaks down in New Jersey
- Tip #23: With kids in the car, decide in the first minute whether they stay buckled or get out
- Tip #24: Ask the dispatcher about your pet before the tow truck arrives
- Tip #32: Close the trunk, windows and sunroof before the truck pulls away
- Tip #33: Take your valuables with you, or lock them out of sight
- Tip #45: In a parking deck, give the level and the clearance before a truck is sent
- Tip #48: Call 911 for danger, a tow company for a car that will not go
- Tip #50: Tell the dispatcher where, what and which way in the first 30 seconds
- All posts
Questions drivers ask about this
Short answers.
Can I choose where my car is towed?
Yes. On a tow you call for, you pick the destination: your shop, your dealer, a body shop or your driveway.
Should I tow my car to the dealer or an independent mechanic?
The dealer makes sense for warranty and recall work. An independent shop you trust is often best for general repairs on an older car.
What if the repair shop is closed when the tow arrives?
The car can be left in the lot if the shop allows it, or taken to your driveway. Tell the dispatcher which you prefer.
Ask the dispatcher anything.
Call nowNeed towing and roadside assistance right now? One call, truck on the way.
Real dispatcher, 24 hours a day. Quoted price before we roll.