Local tows (typically under 30 miles, often under 10 miles) are the default for breakdowns — from your location to the nearest reputable shop, your preferred mechanic, or your home for later evaluation.
Long-distance tows (50+ miles, sometimes hundreds) come up in specific scenarios: accident on a road trip far from your usual mechanic, breakdown of a specialty vehicle that only certain shops can service, transporting a non-running classic car you just bought.
Local tow pricing is straightforward — typically the flat hourly rate plus per-mile charges past 5 miles included. Most local tows complete within a single billable hour at the minimum.
Long-distance tows usually require a separate quote. Pricing is per-mile heavy because of fuel and driver time. Some operators specialize in long-distance and offer better rates than local roadside services.
For vehicles being moved long-distance for repair or relocation, transport companies (Montway, uShip) often beat per-mile tow pricing for cross-country moves.