What Does a Towing Service Cost?

Reference prices in Germany

The following figures are market reference prices from 2026 price surveys. They show the rough order of magnitude but don't replace an actual quote.

For individual cities, the portal kostenfinder.com (2026) gives the following averages: Karlsruhe around €219 (range about €102 to €383), Freiburg around €223, Stuttgart around €240.

Why the range is so wide

A towing service isn't a product with a fixed price. Two callouts in the same city can differ a lot: in one case a car sits on level ground in a car park and still rolls, in another it's in a ditch at night after an accident. Companies also calculate differently. Some charge the callout and mileage separately, others quote a flat price. That's why an average tells you little about your own situation.

What the price depends on

• Distance: the callout and the trip to the destination. A short trip to the nearest garage is cheaper than a long journey.
• Time of day: surcharges are common at night, on weekends and on public holidays.
• Vehicle: weight, length, drivetrain. Electric cars and vans often need more effort.
• Condition: a vehicle that no longer rolls, is in a ditch, or is in an underground garage makes more work than one that's simply loaded up.
• Location: special conditions apply on the motorway, for example securing the scene.
• Waiting time and extra services: for example recovery, oil-absorbent material, or a second callout.

Roadside help on the spot, or towing?

Often, help on the spot is the cheaper solution. Jump-starting a flat battery, a canister of fuel, or a wheel change usually costs less than transport. A reputable company will tell you whether the problem can be solved on the spot before sending a vehicle out. If a provider wants to tow immediately without asking questions, ask why.

Questions to ask before you commit

1. Is this a fixed price or an estimate?
2. Does it include the callout, loading, and all mileage?
3. Is there a surcharge for nights, weekends or public holidays?
4. Is VAT included?
5. How can I pay?
6. Exactly where will the vehicle be taken?

Get the price in writing where possible, for example over WhatsApp. A reputable provider states it before they drive out.

Our fixed price (Karlsruhe to Offenburg region)

In the Karlsruhe to Offenburg region, our fixed price for towing within a city starts at €129. It applies to shorter distances; we tell you the exact amount on the phone based on your location, destination and vehicle.

When someone else pays

After an accident that wasn't your fault, the other driver's liability insurance usually covers the towing costs. Breakdown cover or membership in an automobile club can also cover the help. Check your documents before you pay. More in our guide Towing costs after an accident.

Checking the invoice

Compare the invoice with the price you were quoted. If it lists an amount nobody mentioned beforehand, ask for a breakdown. In a dispute over an inflated invoice after an accident, the at-fault party's insurer can be brought in, see our accident guide.