I'm Moving. How Much Will It Cost to Tow My Car?

Towing prices during a move

When you’re planning an out-of-state move, you might wonder about the cost of towing a car. How much you’ll pay depends on the moving company, the type of vehicles you have and the distance you’re traveling. Learn what prices to expect and alternatives to towing a vehicle.

Towing costs will vary between moving companies

Although U-Haul®, Budget® and Penske® offer rental trucks and tow dollies or trailers for hauling vehicles, the prices usually vary greatly between the companies. Let’s look at a move from Boulder, CO, to Nashville, TN, for a 2-bedroom home in March 2023 using each company’s recommended equipment for moving a 2016 Ford Fusion.  

Note: The prices were accurate at the time of posting. Actual moving costs will vary. 

*Discount was automatically applied at checkout and will vary for each move.

How much does it cost to tow a car with a personal vehicle?

If you don’t want to haul a car behind a rental truck, U-Haul rents towing equipment for vehicles that meet their specifications. Using the example move from Boulder to Nashville, U-Haul offered two types of equipment for a 2019 Toyota Tundra Crew Cab to haul a 2016 Ford Fusion. Both prices included equipment, damage coverage, taxes and fees and were accurate at the time of posting. 

• Tow dolly: $384.42 
• Auto transport trailer: $724.02  

Note: There is an additional fee for renting a towing hitch and ball for your vehicle. 

Learn more about one-way trailer rental for a long-distance move. 

Is there a cheaper alternative to towing vehicles during a move?

You can move vehicles long-distance without having to tow them. If you’re using a self-moving company like U-Pack®, where we transport your belongings, you’re free to drive your car to the new home without the hassle of hauling it with a bulky rental truck. Depending on your vehicle’s gas mileage and the distance, driving is often cheaper than towing.

For example, a 1,200-mile drive in a car that gets 30 MPG would cost approximately $130 in fuel based on an average gas price of $3.23 per gallon. 

Don’t want to drive or tow? You can also ship vehicles long-distance. 

Have questions?

If you have any questions about U-Pack services or towing your vehicle while moving, let us know in the comments. We’re here to help!

U-Haul® is a registered trademark of U-Haul International, Inc. Budget® is a registered trademark of Budget Truck Rental, LLC. Penske® is a registered trademark of Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P. Use of third-party trademarks or registered trademarks does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by such third party.