I'm Moving. How Much Will It Cost to Tow My Car?
Jan 9, 2023
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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.
| U-Haul |
|---|
| 20' Truck | $2,730 |
| Tow dolly | $155 |
| Damage and roadside coverage | $137 |
| Taxes and fees | $315.31 |
| Total cost | $3,337.31 |
| Budget |
|---|
| 16' Truck | $899.10 |
| Car carrier trailer | $405 |
| Liability, damage and roadside coverage | $457.98 |
| Taxes and fees | $185.06 |
| Discount* | ($183.90) |
| Total | $1,947.14 |
*Discount was automatically applied at checkout and will vary for each move.
| Penske |
|---|
| 20' Truck | $1,918 |
| Tow dolly or car carrier trailer | $109 or $198 |
| Basic coverage and towing insurance | $327.50 |
| Taxes and fees | $171 |
| Total cost with tow dolly or car carrier | $2,525.50 or $2,614.50 |
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.
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