How Much Does a Tow Cost in Edmonton?

It depends on the distance, your vehicle, what happened, the time of day and the weather. We can give you a rough idea on the phone, and you get the exact price in writing before we hook up. That isn’t a dodge. A short tow from a driveway and a recovery from a snowy ditch beside a highway are different jobs, and they’re priced differently.

This post explains what changes the cost of a tow, why you should always get the price in writing before your vehicle is hooked up, and what to ask. We don’t quote numbers here, because the price depends on your job. When you call us, we’ll give you a rough idea, then the exact price in writing before we hook up.

Distance

Distance is one of the biggest factors. There are two parts to it: how far the truck has to travel to reach you, and how far your vehicle needs to go after that. Many companies charge a hook-up fee plus a rate per km, so a longer trip costs more.

A tow across the neighbourhood to your own driveway is a short job. A tow from the edge of the city to a dealership on the other side, or from Edmonton to another Alberta town, takes much longer, uses more fuel and ties up a truck for longer. Expect the price to reflect that.

If you’re choosing where the vehicle goes, the destination you pick affects the price too. That’s fine. It’s your vehicle, and you should decide where it ends up. Just say where when you call, so the written price covers the whole trip.

Your vehicle

What you drive matters. A compact car, a full-size pickup and a loaded van are not the same job. Size and weight change what’s needed to move the vehicle safely.

The type of drivetrain matters as well. AWD and 4x4 vehicles generally shouldn’t be towed with some wheels on the road, because the drivetrain can be damaged when some wheels turn and others don’t. Low-clearance cars can scrape or catch on the way up. Luxury and sports cars usually call for extra care. All of this feeds into the price, and into which kind of tow you need.

Flatbed or not

A flatbed carries your whole vehicle on a deck, with all four wheels off the ground. It’s the safe option for AWD and 4x4 vehicles, low-clearance cars, luxury vehicles and anything that can’t roll.

If your vehicle needs a flatbed, you want a flatbed, even if another option looks simpler. The right method protects your vehicle. Tell the dispatcher exactly what you drive, including whether it’s AWD or 4x4, and you’ll get the right truck and a closer idea of the cost.

The situation

The same vehicle can be an easy job or a hard one depending on where it is and what happened.

Stuck off the road. A vehicle in a ditch or a snowbank has to be pulled out before it can go anywhere. A winch-out takes time and care, and sometimes the vehicle can be driven away afterwards, so no tow is needed at all.
After a collision. An accident scene can mean damaged wheels, leaking fluids and debris on the road. Moving a damaged vehicle carefully takes longer than a simple pickup.
Won’t roll. A seized brake, a broken axle or a damaged wheel means the vehicle can’t be pulled along on its own wheels.
Hard to reach. A tight parking garage, a narrow lane or a busy highway shoulder can all make the job slower and more complicated.

Sometimes the situation is simpler than you think. A dead battery, keys locked inside, a flat with a working spare, or an empty tank can often be fixed where you are, without a tow.

The time of day and the weather

People often ask whether a tow at 3 a.m. costs more than one at 3 p.m. It can. The time of day, holidays, the weather and the road conditions can all change the price. That’s why the rule should be the same at any hour: you get the price in writing before anything is hooked up.

What tows usually cost in Edmonton (checked October 2026)

These are market rates, not our prices. Your exact price comes in writing before we hook up.

Police-directed tows. Since July 1, 2025, the Edmonton Police Service rate for police-directed tows is $140.48 base plus $2.51 per loaded km, GST extra.
Published rates from Edmonton tow companies we checked: roughly $85 to $125 to hook up, plus $3 to $4 per loaded km, GST extra. Winching is usually charged by time.

Source checked October 2026.

Why you should always get the price before the hook-up

Once your vehicle is on a truck, you’ve lost most of your bargaining power. It’s hard to say no to a price when the vehicle is already loaded and on its way. That’s the moment some drivers find out the cost is far higher than they expected.

In Alberta, a tow company must give you a written estimate before a tow, under the Vehicle Towing and Storage Regulation. Getting the price in writing first protects you. It lets you decide with a clear head, compare if you want to, and say no if it doesn’t feel right. Any honest tow company should be happy to give you the price in writing before it starts. If a driver won’t give you a price, or says you’ll find out later, treat that as a warning sign. Our guide on predatory towing in Alberta: red flags and the 2026 rules covers the other red flags.

This is why we built our business around one promise: you get the price in writing before we hook up, and nothing is towed until you say yes.

Questions to ask

Whoever you call, these questions help you get a clear, complete price:

Roughly what will it cost? On the phone, expect a rough idea, not an exact figure.
Will I get the price in writing before you hook up? By text or email is fine. Don’t agree to a tow without it.
What does that include? For example, the distance, the hook-up, and any winching or extra work.
Could anything be added? Ask whether waiting time, storage or extra work could change the price, and when.
Where will my vehicle be taken? Make sure it’s going where you want it, not somewhere you didn’t choose.
What payment do you accept? It’s better to know now than at the roadside.
About how long until you get here? You won’t get an exact time, because it depends on where you are, but you should get an estimate.
What is your company name? You should know exactly who is coming.

What to have ready when you call

The more you can tell the dispatcher, the closer the rough idea will be.

Where you are. An address, or the road, your direction of travel and the nearest exit or cross street.
What you drive. Make and model, and whether it’s AWD or 4x4.
What happened. Won’t start, in the ditch, collision, flat tire, out of fuel.
Where it should go. Home, your mechanic, a body shop or a dealership.

The short version

The cost of a tow depends on distance, your vehicle, whether it needs a flatbed, the situation it’s in, the time and the weather. On the phone you get a rough idea; before the hook-up you should always get the exact price in writing. Ask clear questions, and make sure your vehicle is going where you choose.

For more on how we price jobs, see our pricing page.

Questions people ask

How much does a tow usually cost in Edmonton?

Published rates from Edmonton tow companies we checked in October 2026 were roughly $85 to $125 to hook up, plus $3 to $4 per loaded km, GST extra. These are market rates, not our prices. Your exact price comes in writing before we hook up.

Does a tow cost more at night?

It can. The time of day, holidays, the weather and the road conditions can all change the price, so get it in writing before anything is hooked up.

Do I need a flatbed?

AWD and 4x4 vehicles, low-clearance cars, luxury vehicles and anything that can't roll should go on a flatbed. Tell the dispatcher exactly what you drive.