Quick Answer: Sunday towing in Chicago typically costs $75-150 base plus $3-7 per mile. Call your insurance first (many cover towing), then compare local services. AAA and some credit cards also provide discounted rates. Expect 30-60 minute wait times on Sundays.
What To Do
- Check your coverage first
- Call your auto insurance company
- Check if you have AAA membership
- Look for credit card roadside benefits
Many drivers skip this step and pay out of pocket when they didn’t have to. Your auto insurer’s roadside assistance line is usually on the back of your insurance card. AAA members should call AAA directly rather than a private company, since AAA dispatches its own network and the first 5 miles are free. Credit cards like Chase Sapphire, Visa Signature, and some American Express cards include roadside dispatch, though reimbursement limits vary, typically $50-100 per incident.
- Get multiple quotes
- Call at least 3 local services
- Ask for total estimated cost upfront
- Confirm they can reach you within reasonable time
Sunday availability in Chicago is thinner than weekday coverage. Some smaller operators only run one truck on Sundays, which pushes wait times past an hour on the South and West sides. If the first company quotes 90 minutes, call the next one. A 20-minute difference in response time matters when you’re sitting on the shoulder of I-90.
Compare these Chicago-area services
- Chicago Towing: (312) 666-8697
- Windy City Towing: (773) 583-9464
- South Side Towing: (773) 778-8697
- Lincoln Towing: (773) 935-3343
Ask the right questions
- “What’s your Sunday base rate?”
- “How much per mile after the first 5?”
- “Any extra fees for Sunday service?”
- “How long until you arrive?”
Also ask whether the quoted price includes a dolly or wheel-lift fee. Some operators charge an extra $25-40 if your car is all-wheel drive or if they need to use a flatbed. Get the driver’s name and the quoted total before you hang up.
- While you wait
- Turn on hazard lights
- Move to passenger seat if on busy road
- Keep doors locked until tow truck arrives
If you break down on the expressway, get as far onto the right shoulder as possible and stay behind the guardrail if one exists. Being inside the car is statistically safer than standing outside on a live highway shoulder, but if your car is in a travel lane and can’t move, get out and get behind the barrier immediately.
Photo: Pexels
What It Might Cost
Standard Sunday rates in Chicago:
- Base hook-up: $75-100
- Mileage: $3-7 per mile
- Sunday surcharge: $10-25 additional
- Total for 10-mile tow: $125-175
A tow from the Loop to a shop in Evanston runs roughly 14 miles, which puts your total in the $150-200 range before any surcharges. Tows within a single neighborhood, say a 3-mile drag to the nearest shop, can come in under $100 if you avoid the Sunday premium by using a service that doesn’t charge one. Always confirm the destination address before the driver hooks up, since some operators charge a change-of-destination fee if you redirect mid-tow.
Money-saving tips:
- Insurance coverage can reduce cost to $0-50
- AAA members pay $0 for first 5 miles
- Some services waive Sunday fees for seniors
If your insurance covers towing, you typically pay nothing upfront and the insurer pays the operator directly, or you pay and submit a receipt for reimbursement within 30 days. Reimbursement caps are usually $50-75 per occurrence unless you have a premium roadside package.
Photo: Pexels
Common Questions
Q: Can I tell the tow truck driver which shop to take my car to? A: Yes, you have the right to choose your destination. Give the shop address before the driver hooks up your vehicle. Some shops are closed Sundays, so call ahead and confirm they accept drop-offs or have a key drop box before you commit to that location.
Q: Why is my Sunday tow quote higher than what I found online? A: Most advertised base rates apply to weekday business hours. Sunday adds a surcharge of $10-25 at many Chicago operators, and after-hours dispatch fees can push the total higher than any published price. Always ask for a Sunday-specific quote, not the standard rate.
Q: What if the tow truck driver asks to do repairs on the spot? A: Decline. A legitimate tow driver’s job is to move your vehicle, not diagnose or fix it. Roadside “repairs” offered by tow operators are often overpriced and unnecessary. Get to a shop you trust before agreeing to any work.
Stay Safe
- Stay inside your vehicle if on highway
- Exit on traffic side only if absolutely necessary
- Keep phone charged and share your location
- Have cash ready (some services prefer cash payments)
- Don’t agree to repairs on the spot from tow driver
Need roadside help? Visit Tow With The Flow for real answers when your car breaks down.