> **Quick Answer:** A second tow on the same day costs just as much as the first one: $75 to $125 for a local tow under 5 miles, plus $3 to $7 per mile after that. Tow companies don't give same-day discounts. If you have roadside assistance through insurance or AAA, check whether your policy limits the number of calls per day before you request the second truck.
## Why Does the Second Tow Cost Full Price Again?
Each tow is priced as a separate job. The driver gets dispatched, drives to your location, hooks up your car, and delivers it. That's a full service call whether it's your first tow of the day or your fifth. There is no same-day loyalty discount in this industry. The hook-up fee alone, which covers the driver's time and equipment, typically runs $50 to $75 before the mileage even starts.
The only exception is if the original tow company made an error, say they dropped your car at the wrong shop. In that case, call the company directly before you call a second truck. Some operators will correct their mistake at no charge rather than risk a dispute.
## What Does a Second Tow Actually Cost Without Coverage?
Out of pocket, expect to pay $75 to $150 for a short local move under 5 miles. Mileage after that runs $3 to $7 per mile depending on the company and your location. A 20-mile tow to a different shop could easily run $175 to $250. Flatbed towing, which is required for all-wheel-drive vehicles and most modern low-clearance cars, often adds $20 to $50 on top of the base rate.
If the breakdown involved a damaged axle, a seized transmission, or anything that makes the car impossible to roll, you may also face a winching fee of $50 to $150 on top of the standard rate. Make sure to ask about that before the driver arrives, not after. For a full breakdown of what mileage charges look like on longer hauls, see [how much to tow a car 100 miles on the interstate](/how-much-to-tow-car-100-miles-interstate/).
## Will My Roadside Assistance Cover a Second Call the Same Day?
It depends on your provider and policy. Most roadside assistance plans cover a set number of service calls per year, not per day, so a second call on the same day typically counts as your second annual use. AAA Classic limits you to 4 calls per membership year. State Farm's roadside add-on has similar annual caps. If you have already used one call today, you are burning another one of your annual incidents.
The bigger problem is some insurers have a rule against same-day repeat calls for the same vehicle. They treat it as a suspicious pattern. Read your policy or call the number on your card before you request that second truck. If you are close to your annual limit, paying out of pocket might be smarter than burning your last covered call. This is also worth understanding in the context of [how roadside assistance compares between AAA and insurance-based plans](/aaa-vs-roadside-assistance-through-insurance-which-is-better/).
## How Can I Avoid Paying for Two Tows in One Day?
Get the destination right the first time. The most common reason for a second same-day
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tow is that the car gets dropped at a shop that turns out to be closed, full, or unable to handle the repair. Before the first truck even hooks up, call the destination shop and confirm they can accept your car today. If they cannot, change the drop location while the driver is still on scene. Moving the destination before the tow starts costs nothing. Moving it after costs you a full second call.
If your first tow went to a dealership and you want the car at an independent shop instead, you are looking at a second full charge. That scenario comes up often, and the math on it is worth knowing before you make that call. See [towing a car from a dealership to a mechanic: what it costs](/towing-car-from-dealership-to-mechanic-cost/) for what to expect.
One more thing: if your car broke down because of a dead battery that failed to jump-start, confirm the shop has the right battery in stock before towing. Otherwise you may end up towing it somewhere, waiting, and towing it again. Check [dead battery jump start failed: what a tow will cost you](/dead-battery-jump-start-failed-towing-cost/) for details on that specific situation.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Does AAA charge for a second tow the same day?**
A: AAA counts each call against your annual service limit, not a daily one. A second tow the same day uses up another annual call. Classic members get 4 per year, Plus members get more. AAA does not charge you cash for same-day repeat calls as long as you have annual calls remaining.
**Q: Can I request a tow to a different location than where the first one dropped my car?**
A: Yes, but it is a completely new service call and you pay full price. The second tow company does not care where your first tow went. They charge their standard hook-up fee plus mileage from pickup to the new drop point.
**Q: Will my insurance reimburse a second tow on the same day?**
A: Most towing reimbursement add-ons cover one incident per event, not multiple tows per day. If the second tow is related to the same breakdown, some insurers may deny it as a duplicate claim. Document everything and call your insurer before you request the second truck if you want any chance at reimbursement.
**Q: Is it cheaper to have the tow truck wait while I figure out the destination instead of calling a second one?**
A: Sometimes. Some companies charge a waiting fee of $1 to $2 per minute after the first 15 minutes. That adds up fast. But if you can sort the destination in under 10 minutes, waiting is almost always cheaper than a second hook-up fee.
**Q: What if the first tow company dropped my car at the wrong place by mistake?**
A: Call the company immediately and state clearly that they delivered to the wrong location. Many operators will send a driver back at no charge to correct the error rather than deal with a dispute or chargeback. Get the resolution confirmed in writing or via text before you accept it.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/how-much-does-a-second-tow-cost-same-day/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
How Much Does a Second Tow Cost Same Day: What to Expect
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