Frequently Asked Questions

Most local tows in San Luis Obispo County run between $75 and $150 for a hook-up plus a per-mile rate once you’re past the base distance, though the exact price depends on your vehicle type, the time of day, how far you’re being towed, and whether a standard wheel-lift truck or a flatbed is required. Nationally, towing averages around $109 for a basic tow, with per-mile rates ranging from about $2.50 to $7. Heavy-duty vehicles, RVs, off-road recoveries, and late-night calls typically cost more than a standard daytime tow. We’ll always confirm pricing with you before a truck is dispatched.

It depends on your policy. Standard liability-only insurance generally does not include towing. If you carry collision or comprehensive coverage and your vehicle needs to be towed after an accident, that tow is often covered as part of the claim. Many insurers also sell an optional roadside assistance or towing add-on, typically for $14–$74 a year, which usually covers tows up to 10–15 miles before mileage charges apply. Check your declarations page or call your insurer to confirm what’s included — we’re happy to help you figure out what you’re working with when we arrive.

We dispatch from operators positioned across the county — North County, South County, and the coast — so response times vary by exactly where you are, but most calls in or near a city center see a truck within 20–45 minutes. Remote stretches of highway (Highway 41 near Cambria, Highway 46 East of Paso Robles, backcountry roads near Pozo) can take longer simply because of distance. When you call, we’ll give you a realistic estimate before you commit.

Yes. Breakdowns and accidents don’t wait for business hours, so dispatch is staffed 24/7/365, including holidays. Overnight and holiday calls may carry a modest surcharge, which is standard across the towing industry and will always be disclosed before a truck is sent.

We dispatch operators across the entire county — San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Templeton, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, Nipomo, Oceano, Morro Bay, Los Osos, and Cambria, plus the smaller communities in between, including Shell Beach, Cayucos, San Miguel, and Santa Margarita.

Yes. Standard passenger vehicle towing is our highest-volume call, but our dispatched network also includes operators equipped for motorcycle towing (soft-tie and trailer methods that avoid frame or fork damage), heavy-duty towing for box trucks and commercial vehicles, and RV/travel trailer towing. Let dispatch know your vehicle type up front so the right truck gets sent the first time.

Move as far onto the shoulder or breakdown lane as safely possible, turn on your hazard lights, and if you can safely exit the vehicle, stand well away from the roadway — uphill and behind a guardrail if one is available. Keep your phone nearby so dispatch can reach you, and if you’re on a highway shoulder at night, consider staying inside with your seatbelt on until the truck arrives, since a parked vehicle on the shoulder is safer than standing next to traffic.

Yes — lockout service is one of our most common calls. Our dispatched operators use non-destructive entry tools on most makes and models. Have your ID and proof of ownership or a valid key fob ready if possible, since operators will confirm the vehicle is yours before opening it.

San Luis Obispo Towing is a dispatch service. When you call, we connect you with the nearest available, independently owned and operated, licensed and insured towing company from our San Luis Obispo County network. This means faster response times than a single-truck operator could offer county-wide, while every tow is still performed by a properly licensed local operator. Full details are on our terms page.

It was most likely towed without you arranging it — either a private property impound (parked without authorization at an apartment, lot, or business) or a police-ordered tow (illegal parking, expired tags, an accident). California law requires the towing company to notify local law enforcement when this happens, so the non-emergency line for whichever police agency covers where you parked can tell you exactly which company took it and where it’s stored.