How To Find the Best Rochester Towing Service

Looking for the most skilled, dependable, and professional towing service in Rochester? We've got your back.
Written by Claire Beaney
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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If you need a car towed in Rochester, call Excel Service & Towing, Ray Kerhaerts Towing & Auto Repair, or 585 Towing Service.
As a driver, you know crashes and breakdowns are inevitable, and being prepared for them might help you avoid paying a high fee for an essential service. 
Jerry
, the
car insurance
comparison app, has put together a guide to all the top towing companies in Rochester, New York. Continue reading to learn who you should call in a pinch, and we’ll teach you some insurance hacks to help you cut down your
New York car insurance costs
along the way!
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The best Rochester towing service 

There are numerous tow truck companies in Rochester, and almost all of them can haul your car, truck, or SUV. You may feel like there is no use in searching around—but doing so can help you avoid rate scams and find a reputable company with the specific expertise you require.
The following are the top five towing companies in Rochester. We'll take you through what makes each service stand out and help you compare each company's specialties.

1. Excel Service & Towing

Google rating: 3.9 stars
Address: 95 Seneca Ave, Rochester, NY 14621
Phone: (585) 266-7660
Hours: 24/7
If you're searching for a Rochester towing service that can do it all and has 24/7 service,
Excel Service & Towing
is the company to call. Founded in 1994 with just one tow truck and a tiny repair space, Excel now boasts a top-of-the-line fleet and impressive repair facility.
Excel prioritizes fast and damage-free towing, but can also help you out with a quick jump start or a hand-delivered gas re-fill.
They offer 24-hour road service and guarantee you’ll always be talking to a live person both day and night. No matter the make, model, or year of your car, their professional team can handle all of your repair or maintenance needs once they have their hands on it. Excel’s work is all fully guaranteed, and they honor all after-market warranties.

2. Ali's Towing Services

Google rating: 4.9 stars
Address: 83 Conkey Ave, Rochester, NY 14621
Phone: (585) 314-3900
Hours: 6am-2am daily
Ali’s Towing Services
has reliable, professional services like lockout services and motorcycle towing, which are done by experts you can trust.
A family-owned business, they pride themselves on having the best prices in town and their 24-hour availability. Ali’s Towing will pick up your car speedily, drop it off at your mechanic (wherever they are in the city), and provide consistent updates throughout the process.

3. Ray Kerhaert’s Towing & Auto Repair

Google rating: 4.5 stars
Address: 1396 W Ridge Rd, Rochester, NY 14615
Phone: (585) 865-8159
Hours: 24/7
Ray Kerhaert's Towing & Auto Repair
has been setting the bar for service and expertise since 1926, providing their customers with small and heavy-duty towing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They’re the top source for all of your towing and recovery needs, from
classic cars
to large duty trucks and equipment.
Kerhaert’s also specializes in recovery, and their towing operators undergo years of professional training to provide safe, speedy services. Don’t forget to check out the
discount coupons
listed on their website to see if you can save some bucks as well! 

4. Gates Towing - Service & Fleet

Google rating: 4.5 stars
Address: 1421 Scottsville Rd, Rochester, NY 14624
Phone: (585) 235-6880
Hours: 24/7
Gates Towing Inc.
is a family-owned and operated company that has been servicing Monroe County for over three decades. When it comes to handling your car, they take pride in providing speedy response times, great repair work, friendly customer service, and an honest assessment. 
Gates Towing has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and offers everything from flatbed towing and trailer towing, to brake services and wheel alignment.

5. 585 Towing Service

Google rating: 4.8 stars
Address: 24 Dakota St, Rochester, NY 14611
Phone: (585) 209-9410
Hours: 24/7
Hassle-free, professional, and reasonably priced,
585 Towing
provides 24-hour towing and recovery services to the greater Rochester region. If your car cannot be repaired on-site, they will tow you to your recommended mechanic.
With the most recent tow trucks and equipment, they can tow everything from cars and trucks to trailers and motorcycles. Some of the numerous services they offer include long-distance towing, accident removal, lock-out services, and auto jump-starts. Repeat customers, members of the military, and seniors may also qualify for discounts!

How to pick a towing service

Choosing a towing service often involves a last-ditch Google search on the side of the road. While all of these companies have fast emergency response times, you'll be better prepared if you choose a towing service in advance. Here are some tips for finding the right business:
  • Ask your mechanic for some towing recommendations
  • Find a company that provides the services you need. Although nearly every towing company provides some basic roadside assistance and services, they might not all have the specific experience in snow clearing, exotic towing, or off-road car recovery that you want
  • Read the reviews. A company may claim to have a long, successful track record and transparent pricing, but the comments left by their clients will show any inaccuracies in their advertising
  • When possible, request quotes in advance. Most businesses will provide you with quotes based on limited information (and sometimes a photo of your car). Some phone calls could provide you with all the information you need to make your final selection
Want to know how the five companies mentioned above compare in terms of specific services? For a more detailed analysis, see the table below.
Company
Heavy duty towing
Medium duty towing
Flatbed towing
Low clearance towing
Motorcycle towing
Off-road recovery
Long distance towing
Semi truck towing
Exotic cars
Salvage cars
Jump starts
Lockout
Fuel delivery
Tire changes
Ignition key replacement
Snowplow and salting
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
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How much does a tow cost in Rochester? 

The national average for towing services, according to J.D. Power, is $109, or between $2.50 and $7 per mile.
On average, any towing service should cost you roughly $50 for a single tow. However, the actual price of towing in Rochester varies depending on a few things.
  • Distance: The further you want your car towed, the more you'll spend. Depending on the company, a 5-mile tow can cost anywhere from $125 to $275+—anything above 5 miles will generally see a price hike. A 100-mile tow will usually cost at least $500 
  • Size: Towing costs more for larger, heavier cars. This is a non-negotiable part of your towing fees, so keep that in the back of your mind if you're shopping for a new vehicle
  • Time of day: Most of Rochester's best towing services are available 24/7, but you may be charged a higher premium if you contact for a tow at 3 a.m. rather than during normal business hours

Optimize your car insurance policy for accidents and more

Finding a trustworthy towing service ahead of time will ease the stress of an accident or breakdown. Similarly, downloading the
Jerry
app to find the lowest car insurance rates is another great way to prepare for the unexpected.
Jerry is an
insurance comparison app
that shops for low prices with dozens of different insurance companies for free. You will get quotes in seconds, can make changes at any time, and if you ever have any questions, agents are just a text away! When it comes to insurance, Jerry will never leave you feeling stranded.
And the best part? Jerry users save $800+ a year on car insurance!
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If your car was towed in a private parking lot, then it was likely taken by a private towing company. Signs put in these lots provide important information, such as the name and address of the towing company.
If your car was removed from City of Rochester Streets or public access areas by the Rochester Police Department, then you can go to the
Auto Impound
(located at 330 Colfax Street, Rochester, NY 14606) or call (585) 428-6717 for more information.
To register or operate any car on public highways in New York, you must meet the
state’s minimum requirements for car insurance
, but if you're towing an inoperable vehicle, it doesn't need to be insured.
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