If you’re staring at a broken-down car (or trying to move a 4WD, UTE bike, light truck or machine) the first question is always the same: how much does a tow truck cost in Sydney?

Short answer: it depends on distance, vehicle type, time of day and access. Long answer (with estimated live pricing): use our Towing Cost Calculator, it gives you an instant, transparent estimate before you book.

Get a live price now: Open the Towing Cost Estimator (enter pickup, drop-off, distance and job details, then hit Calculate).

Quick price snapshot (typical ranges)

These are general Sydney ranges. Your exact price can be higher or lower—use the estimator for an accurate figure.

Metro hook-up / call-out: usually $99–$160
Per-km (metropolitan, standard cars): typically $3.0–$5.5/km
After-hours / weekend loading: +$30–$90
Winching / no-roll / recovery: +$50–$200+ depending on complexity
Underground / low-height / tight access: +$30–$80
Long-distance NSW: similar per-km rate (sometimes lower per km for very long runs), applied to the travel distance

Larger vehicles (4WDs, ute, vans, light trucks) and machinery/plant usually attract a higher base + per-km because we allocate a heavier tilt tray and extra securing time.

What really drives the price

1) Distance (door-to-door)

Towing is priced on kilometres between pickup and drop-off. Very short metro hops mainly cost the call-out; long hauls are mostly per-km.

2) Vehicle type & weight

Sedan/hatch/motorcycle → standard tilt tray
4WDs, utes, vans, light trucks → heavier tray, higher secure/strap time
Machinery/plant (bobcats, forklifts, scissor lifts, small excavators) → load/unload time, ramps, tie-downs

3) Time of day

Evenings, overnights, weekends and public holidays usually add an after-hours fee to keep crews rolling 24/7.

4) Access & job complexity

Underground car parks / low height (tight ramps, low ceilings)
No-roll vehicles (locked wheels, transmission issues)
Recovery/winching (off-road, bogged, stuck in a ditch)
These add time → the price follows.

5) Tolls, ferries, special conditions

If your route includes tolls or special access, those are either included in the estimate or passed through at cost.

Tow Cost in Sydney

(examples; so you can sanity-check your quote)

Reminder: These are examples, not a fixed price list. The estimator will reflect your exact trip, time and vehicle.

Scenario	Typical distance	Ballpark total
CBD to Bondi, small car, business hours	~8–10 km	$130–$190
Parramatta to Blacktown, sedan, Sat evening	~12–15 km	$160–$240
Chatswood to Campbelltown, 4WD, business hours	~55–60 km	$330–$520
Penrith to Wollongong, sedan, business hours	~90–100 km	$420–$600
Western Sydney long-haul within NSW (e.g., 150 km)	150 km	$600–$850+ depending on extras
Machinery (bobcat) metro reposition	10–20 km	$220–$380 (access dependent)

For very long runs (country NSW or interstate), per-km often steps down slightly once we cross bigger distance bands. The estimator will show that in real time.

How to get an exact price in 30 seconds

Our Towing Cost Estimator is built for Sydney and it works Australia-wide for long hauls too.

Enter pickup suburb/address
Enter drop-off
The tool auto-calculates driving kilometres (you can also type your own distance)
Select vehicle type (sedan, 4WD, motorcycle, light truck, machinery)
Tick job details (After-hours/Weekend, Underground/Low height, Winching/No-roll, Tilt tray required)
Hit “Calculate estimate”
You’ll get an instant range so you can book with confidence—or compare options.

👉 Try it now: open the Towing Cost Estimator. You can also add this towing cost calculator on you own website.

Sydney vs. the rest of Australia

Capital cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane): similar call-out and per-km bands, with higher parking/tolls factors.
Regional NSW & interstate: fuel + driver time dominates the cost. Long, straight runs can be more efficient per km, but totals are higher due to distance.
Remote or recovery jobs: winching and access drive the price more than kilometres do.

What about insurance, will it cover my tow?

Sometimes, yes:

Accident tows are often covered (check your policy and claims line).
Roadside add-ons may include one free or capped-price tow to the nearest repairer.
Breakdowns outside roadside limits are usually at your cost (our estimator helps you budget fast).

Tip: if an insurer is involved, let us know when you call, we’ll follow the right authorisation process.

How to keep your tow cost down

Choose direct pickup/drop-off details. Extra detours = extra km.
Tell us the real access situation. If it’s underground/low height or wheels don’t roll, we bring the right gear first time (fewer surprises).
Move during standard hours if timing is flexible.
Have keys, clearance codes and contact numbers ready to minimise waiting time on site.

When you’ll want a tilt tray (and why that matters)

Tilt trays carry the vehicle entirely off the ground—ideal for:

AWD/4WD/low-clearance/performance cars (prevents driveline/body damage)
Severe mechanical damage (wheels locked, no-roll)
Machinery & plant (bobcats, forklifts, scissor lifts, small excavators)

The estimator lets you tick “Tilt tray required” so your price reflects the right truck and setup.

Frequently asked questions (Sydney towing prices)

How much is a short tow across the suburb?
For a standard car in business hours, $130–$190 is common for a short metro hop. Add after-hours or special access if it applies.

Do you charge both ways or just pickup to drop-off?
Your estimate is based on the trip you request (pickup → drop-off). We don’t surprise-bill for depot returns later.

Is the estimate the final price?
It’s a live estimate based on your inputs. If we turn up and the situation matches what you told us, you’ll be within that range. If access/vehicle condition is different, we’ll update you before loading.

Can you tow interstate?
Yes, call or use the estimator to price the route. For very long runs (e.g., Sydney → VIC/QLD), we sometimes quote a fixed all-in price.

Do you move machines and light trucks?
All the time. Select the correct type in the estimator so we allocate a suitable tray and team.

Why book with Tow Truck Sydney

24/7 Sydney coverage with long-haul NSW & interstate options
Tilt trays for cars, 4WDs, vans, light trucks & machinery
Transparent pricing—know the estimate before you book
Licensed, insured, and experienced operators (over 8 years on the roads)

Ready when you are

Skip the back-and-forth and see your price now.

Open the Towing Cost Estimator
Enter pickup & drop-off, tick any job details, and get your instant tow price for Sydney or anywhere you’re heading.

If you’d rather talk, call us at (423) 242 242 and we’ll quote and dispatch a truck right away.

Tow Truck Cost in Sydney (and Across Australia): What You’ll Really Pay + Instant Calculator