Long Distance Towing: When It Works, When It Doesn’t, and the Smarter Alternative

If you’re searching for long distance towing, you’re probably staring at a car that needs to get hundreds of miles away—and you’re trying to figure out the safest, least stressful way to make that happen.

Do you call a tow truck and drag it across states? Rent your own trailer and pull it behind a truck? Or is there a better option entirely?

The truth: long distance towing can work in some situations, but for most interstate and cross-country moves it’s more expensive, harder on your vehicle, and more stressful than using a professional auto transport company.

At Robin Auto Transport, we specialize in long-distance vehicle moves across the lower 48. We’re an asset-based brokerage backed by a sister carrier with real car-hauling trucks and drivers, so we see the difference between towing and proper car shipping every day—and we help customers choose what actually makes sense.

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What Is Long Distance Towing?

Long distance towing typically means using a tow truck, flatbed, or towing trailer to haul your vehicle over a significant distance—often hundreds of miles. The car may ride:

• With all four wheels off the ground on a flatbed
• Or with two wheels on a tow dolly, being pulled behind a truck or RV

Most towing services are designed for local moves and roadside emergencies, not multi-day interstate trips. Many tow companies don’t have the authority, permits, or setups to run cross-country the way professional auto carriers do.

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Why People Consider Long Distance Towing

If long distance towing isn’t really built for cross-country, why do people still think about it?

Because on the surface, it sounds simple and in some cases, it can be:

• Immediate and in your control – A tow truck (or your own truck + trailer) can sometimes be arranged quickly for moderate distances. You choose the departure time, and you see your car the whole way if you’re the one towing it.
• Good for short “long” moves – For trips just beyond local—say 100–200 miles—or when the vehicle is completely undrivable, long distance towing can be a straightforward way to get from one city to another.
• Useful for breakdowns – If your car dies in another city and needs to reach a specific repair shop, a tow is often the fastest solve.

So if you’re thinking about long distance towing, you’re not wrong to consider it. You just need to be clear about where it stops making sense.

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The Hidden Costs and Risks of Long Distance Towing

The longer the distance, the more the drawbacks of long distance towing start adding up.

1. It Gets Expensive—Fast

Dedicated tow trucks usually move one vehicle at a time. Unlike a car carrier that spreads fuel, driver time, and tolls across 6–10 cars, every mile of that tow is paid by you alone.

For very long trips, especially cross-country, the cost of long distance towing can far exceed the cost of standard car shipping on a multi-vehicle trailer. Add in fuel surcharges and the driver’s possible lodging, and the numbers climb even higher.

2. Extra Wear and Tear on Your Vehicle

If your car is pulled on a dolly or with wheels on the ground, those tires, wheels, and drivetrain components are working the whole way—racking up real wear over hundreds of miles.

Even when your car is on a flatbed, it’s still more exposed to weather and road debris than it would be in an enclosed car carrier. Long distance towing can be hard on the exterior, tires, and sometimes even the mechanical components if it’s not done properly.

3. Safety & Stress of Multi-Day Tows

Long distance towing means one vehicle is pulling another at highway speeds for hours or days. That adds:

• Longer stopping distances
• More sensitivity to wind and road conditions
• Extra stress for the driver, especially if you’re towing the vehicle yourself

If you’re the one behind the wheel, a multi-state tow essentially turns your move into a DIY trucking job—slower driving, frequent fuel and safety checks, and constant attention to the rig.

4. Limited Range and Availability

Many towing companies simply won’t do very long interstate hauls. It ties up a driver and truck for days on a single job and may fall outside their typical permits or insurance setup.

That means you might struggle to even find a long distance towing provider willing to quote a realistic coast-to-coast or multi-state move.

5. Insurance Gaps

A professional auto transport carrier’s cargo insurance is specifically designed to cover vehicles during transit. With long distance towing, coverage can be murkier:

• Roadside packages (like AAA) might only pay for short tows to the nearest shop—not multi-state transport.
• DIY towing may not be fully covered by your regular auto policy if damage happens while you’re towing another vehicle.

Without clear coverage, more of the financial risk sits on your shoulders.

Bottom line from the research: long distance towing has its niche, but for lengthy moves it’s “rarely a good option for car transport” because of cost, wear, and logistics—and towing companies are “not designed for cross-country vehicle moves.”

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Long Distance Towing vs Auto Transport: What’s the Difference?

Here’s where most people realize they’re not really looking for long distance towing—they’re looking for long-distance vehicle transport done the right way.

Long Distance Towing

• One vehicle at a time
• Often local or regional in focus
• High per-mile cost for long trips
• Potential wear on tires and drivetrain
• More stress if you’re towing it yourself

Auto Transport (Car Shipping)

Auto transport means your vehicle is loaded onto a multi-car carrier (open or enclosed) and hauled along with other cars on a route designed for long-distance travel.

Key advantages for long distances:

• Cost-effective: Costs are shared among several vehicles, making per-mile pricing much better for interstate and cross-country trips.
• Less wear & tear: Your car is secured and not being driven—no added mileage, no drivetrain strain.
• Purpose-built equipment: Trailers and tie-downs are designed specifically for safely securing vehicles on long hauls.
• Professional drivers & permits: Carriers run interstate routes daily and handle the necessary permits and logistics.

In many cases, shipping is actually quicker and easier overall than towing because you’re not the one on the road for days, fueling and managing a tow rig.

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When Long Distance Towing Does Make Sense

There are scenarios where long distance towing is the right move:

• Short “long distance” hops – Around 100–200 miles, especially when auto transport minimums make shipping disproportionately expensive.
• Emergency breakdowns – Your car is dead in another city and needs to go to a repair shop ASAP.
• You’re already set up to tow – You have an RV or truck and proper trailer, you’re comfortable with the rig, and you’re only going a moderate distance.

For very long distances—multiple states, cross-country relocations, big life moves—the research is clear: professional auto transport is safer, more cost-effective, and far less stressful in most cases.

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Why Auto Transport Is Usually Better Than Long Distance Towing

When you zoom out, most people don’t actually want “long distance towing.” They want:

• Their car moved safely
• At a fair total cost
• With minimal hassle
• And clear communication along the way

Professional auto transport checks those boxes more reliably for long-distance moves:

• Cost-effective on long routes – Multi-vehicle carriers bring your per-mile cost down significantly compared with a dedicated tow.
• Safer for your vehicle – Proper tie-downs, purpose-built trailers, and—if you choose—enclosed protection keep your car secure and protected from the elements.
• Hands-off convenience – Once your car is loaded, you can fly or drive separately and let the carrier handle the miles.
• Built-in insurance & process – Reputable carriers include transit insurance and have formal claims processes if something goes wrong.
• Nationwide coverage – Large networks can usually arrange transport from almost anywhere in the lower 48 to almost anywhere else, without you needing to find a tow willing to go that far.

That’s why, for the vast majority of long-distance moves, guides conclude that auto transport is “the safer and more cost-effective solution” and that the extra upfront cost often pays off in ease, safety, and professional handling.

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How Robin Auto Transport Handles Long-Distance Moves

If you’re still reading, chances are you’re not just researching long distance towing—you’re trying to make the right call for your car.

Here’s how we help at Robin Auto Transport:

1. You Tell Us What You Need

You share:

• Pickup and delivery locations
• Vehicle details (year, make, model, condition)
• Timing and any concerns (tight dates, high-value vehicle, inoperable, etc.)

We’ll be honest with you if long distance towing might work better for your situation—but in most multi-state cases, we’ll recommend auto transport and explain why.

2. We Match You With the Right Truck

Because we’re an asset-based brokerage, we’re tied to a sister carrier with its own car-hauling trucks and drivers, plus a vetted network of partner carriers.

That gives us more options than a typical broker who just posts your car on a load board and hopes a truck says yes. We can:

• Use our own carrier fleet when lanes and capacity line up
• Tap trusted partners on routes where they’re a better fit
• Keep better control over scheduling, communication, and expectations

3. You Ship With Confidence

Your car is inspected, loaded, and transported on professional equipment designed for long-distance vehicle moves—not a makeshift long distance tow setup.

You get:

• Status updates
• A clear contact person
• Delivery coordination so you know when to expect the truck

You avoid the fatigue, risk, and logistical headache of pulling your own trailer or trying to line up a tow willing to cross multiple states.

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Long Distance Towing or Auto Transport? Questions to Ask Yourself

If you’re still torn, run through these quick questions:

1. How far am I going?
   • Under ~150–200 miles? Long distance towing might be fine.
   • Multiple states or cross-country? Auto transport is almost always the smarter play.
2. Is the vehicle drivable?
   • Totally dead or wrecked? Short- to medium-range towing to a shop can make sense.
   • Drivable or easily loaded? Shipping is usually better financially and mechanically.
3. What’s my tolerance for risk and hassle?
   • Comfortable managing a tow rig for hours or days, slower speeds, constant vigilance? Then DIY long distance towing might be an option.
   • Prefer to get yourself and your family safely to the destination while a professional handles the vehicle? That’s what auto transport is built for.
4. How important is my car’s condition?
   • Everyday beater that you’d happily drive into the ground? You might accept more wear.
   • New, expensive, or sentimental vehicle? Auto transport—especially enclosed—is the safer, gentler choice.

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Preparing Your Car for Long-Distance Transport

Whether you choose long distance towing or car shipping, a little prep helps:

• Remove valuables and loose items from the interior
• Take clear photos of all sides and any existing damage
• Make sure the vehicle can roll, steer, and brake if possible
• Confirm access for the truck at pickup and delivery locations
• Have a trusted person available if you can’t be there in person

With auto transport, you’ll also review and sign a Bill of Lading at pickup and delivery—a simple document that records the vehicle’s condition and protects you if a claim is ever needed.

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The Bottom Line on Long Distance Towing

If you’ve been typing “long distance towing” into Google, what you really want is a safe, affordable way to move your car far from home—without turning your life upside down.

• Long distance towing is best kept for relatively short hops, emergency breakdowns, or situations where you’re already equipped and comfortable towing.
• For most long-distance and interstate moves, professional auto transport offers better value, less wear and tear, and far less stress.

At Robin Auto Transport, we help you skip the guesswork. Backed by a sister carrier fleet plus a vetted nationwide network, we focus on doing one thing well: getting your vehicle safely from point A to point B, anywhere in the lower 48.

Wondering whether long distance towing or auto transport is right for your situation?
Reach out to talk to a transport specialist and get a custom quote. We’ll walk you through the options, explain the trade-offs, and help you choose the route that protects your car—and your peace of mind.