Towing a Car in Vermont: Real 2026 Prices & Fees
Vermont does not regulate tow rates and does not operate a free highway assistance program. Pricing is entirely market-driven, which means you need to be proactive about getting quotes and understanding the fee structure before a tow truck loads your vehicle. In Vermont’s unregulated market, the difference between a fair price and an inflated one comes down to your preparation.
- Towing costs in Vermont
- How towing is priced in Vermont
- Common towing situations in Vermont
- Do you need flatbed towing in Vermont?
- Tow regulation and your rights in Vermont
- Towing tips specific to Vermont
- Roadside assistance options in Vermont
- What to do if you break down in Vermont
- After-hours and weekend towing in Vermont
- How Vermont compares to neighboring states
- Frequently asked questions about towing in Vermont
Vermont’s rural roads, covered bridges, and mountain terrain mean vehicles work harder here per mile than in most states. Subaru dominates the market because AWD is considered essential for 6+ months of the year.
Towing costs in Vermont
| Service | Cost in Vermont | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tow (5 miles) | $95 | $95 | 0% |
| Standard tow (20 miles) | $155 | $155 | 0% |
| Standard tow (50 miles) | $275 | $275 | 0% |
| Flatbed premium | +$50 | +$50 | |
| Motorcycle tow | $80 | $80 | |
| Heavy-duty (truck/SUV) | $210+ | $200+ | |
| After-hours surcharge | +35% | +30% |
How towing is priced in Vermont
Tow companies in Vermont charge a hookup fee of $70 (the base charge for showing up and loading your vehicle) plus $4.0 per mile. A flatbed adds $50 over a standard wheel-lift tow. After-hours service (nights, weekends, holidays) adds 35% to the total.
Vermont’s moderate tow operator density means less competition, especially outside Burlington. In rural Vermont, you may have only one or two options, and portal-to-portal billing (where you pay for the truck’s drive to your location, not just the loaded tow) is more common. Ask the dispatcher explicitly: “Am I paying loaded miles or portal-to-portal?” The difference can be significant.
Common towing situations in Vermont
Moose and deer collisions on Route 100 and I-89, peaking October through December. Peak foliage season (late September through mid-October) floods rural roads with tourists unfamiliar with Vermont’s narrow, winding, unpaved roads. Mud season (March-April) makes many unpaved roads impassable, stranding vehicles that ventured onto seasonal roads.
Vermont’s moderate climate reduces weather-related breakdowns compared to extreme states, but seasonal shifts still affect vehicle reliability. Spring and fall temperature swings stress batteries and tires. Summer heat increases cooling system failures, and winter cold increases starting issues. Regular maintenance is the best prevention against breakdown-related tow costs.
Do you need flatbed towing in Vermont?
Vermont’s vehicle fleet skews heavily toward trucks and SUVs, with the Subaru Outback as the most popular vehicle. Many trucks and full-size SUVs can be wheel-lifted safely (rear wheels off the ground for RWD trucks, front wheels for FWD SUVs). However, 4WD and AWD trucks and SUVs must use a flatbed or wheel-lift with dollies on all four wheels. Given Vermont’s truck-heavy mix, confirm your vehicle’s drivetrain type before accepting a wheel-lift tow.
Tow regulation and your rights in Vermont
Vermont requires annual safety and emissions inspections for all vehicles. The combined inspection costs approximately $35-$55. Vermont is known for being strict on rust: structural corrosion is an automatic failure regardless of how well the vehicle runs.
Vermont does not regulate tow rates for any type of tow. This means you have no rate cap protection even on police-rotation tows. Your primary defense against overcharging is preparation: know what a fair price looks like (check the table above), get a total quote before the truck loads, and have your destination picked before the driver arrives.
Towing tips specific to Vermont
Vermont’s rural character means limited tow operators outside Burlington, Montpelier, and the ski areas. During ski season, operators near Killington, Stowe, and Sugarbush stay busy. Mud season is a uniquely Vermont phenomenon: unpaved roads become impassable bogs for 4-6 weeks. Posted road closures are serious. If you ignore a ‘Road Closed – Mud Season’ sign and get stuck, expect a $200+ winch recovery plus the tow.
Roadside assistance options in Vermont
AAA membership is the most reliable option in Vermont. AAA Classic ($56-$76/year) covers 5-mile tows. AAA Plus ($100-$124/year) covers 100 miles. AAA Premier ($165-$189/year) covers 200 miles. AAA Plus is sufficient for most Vermont drivers.
Auto insurance roadside is the cheapest add-on ($10-$36/year) but often covers only 15-25 miles per tow and may count as a claim. Check your policy details. In Vermont, where a 20-mile tow costs $155, this coverage pays for itself with one use. However, confirm in writing that tow claims will not affect your premium.
New vehicle manufacturer warranty typically includes free roadside assistance for 3-5 years including unlimited towing to the nearest dealer. If your vehicle is still under warranty, call the manufacturer’s roadside number first (found in your owner’s manual or the brand’s app). This covers the tow to the nearest Vermont dealer at no cost.
What to do if you break down in Vermont
Safety first. Pull fully off the road onto a level, well-lit surface if possible. Turn on hazard lights. If on a highway, stay in your vehicle with seatbelt on until help arrives (highway shoulders are dangerous). Call 911 if you are in a hazardous location. Then call your roadside assistance provider, or a tow company. Have your exact location ready (highway name, mile marker, direction of travel).
After-hours and weekend towing in Vermont
After-hours towing in Vermont carries a 35% surcharge over daytime rates. A 5-mile tow that costs $95 during business hours costs $128 at night or on weekends. A 20-mile after-hours tow runs $209. Holidays (especially Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year’s, and July 4th) may carry even higher surcharges of 50-75% at some operators.
How Vermont compares to neighboring states
| State | 5-Mile Tow | 20-Mile Tow | Regulated? | Free Program? | vs Vermont |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $95 | $155 | No | No | 0% |
| Massachusetts | $115 | $190 | Yes | Yes | -18% |
| New York | $120 | $200 | Yes | Yes | -22% |
Among Vermont’s neighbors, New Hampshire has the lowest 20-mile tow cost at $155. If you live near the border and have a choice of tow destination, comparing rates across state lines can save meaningful money on longer tows.
National guide: Towing Cost – complete 2026 guide
Frequently asked questions about towing in Vermont
A standard 5-mile tow in Vermont costs $95 on average in 2026. A 20-mile tow costs $155. A 50-mile tow costs $275. These include the hookup fee ($70) plus $4.0/mile. Flatbed towing adds $50. After-hours service adds 35%. Heavy-duty vehicles (trucks, large SUVs) start at $210.
No. Vermont does not regulate tow rates for consensual (you-called) tows. Prices are set by individual operators and vary significantly. For tows you initiate yourself, always get a total price in writing before the truck loads your vehicle.
No. Vermont does not operate a free highway motorist assistance program. Your options are AAA membership, insurance roadside assistance, or calling a private tow company directly.
Flatbed towing in Vermont costs $145 for a 5-mile tow ($50 more than wheel-lift). Flatbed is required for AWD/4WD vehicles, lowered cars, EVs, and vehicles with transmission or drivetrain damage. If you drive a Subaru Outback or similar truck/SUV, confirm whether flatbed is necessary for your specific situation.
Motorcycle towing in Vermont costs $80 for a standard 5-10 mile tow. Motorcycles require a flatbed or specialized trailer. Not all Vermont tow companies handle motorcycles, so call ahead to confirm equipment availability.