Towing questions and answers: Norfolk, VA
Answers to the questions drivers in Norfolk and Hampton Roads ask most about towing, roadside assistance, costs, insurance, accidents and Virginia law.
Calling for a tow
How do I get a tow truck in Norfolk, VA?
To get a tow truck in Norfolk, VA, call All Wide Towing & Recovery at (757) 796-4622. Tell us where the vehicle is, its year, make and model, what happened and where you want it to go. We confirm the details, tell you the price if you ask, and send the right truck: a flatbed, a wheel lift or a wrecker, depending on your vehicle and its condition. We tow to any repair shop, dealership, body shop or home in Norfolk and across Hampton Roads, and we’re open every day, day and night.
Is there a tow truck near me in Norfolk?
Yes. All Wide Towing & Recovery is a local Norfolk towing company based at 2151 Maude B. Davis St, Norfolk, VA 23504, and our tow trucks come to you anywhere in the city. If you need a tow truck near you in Downtown, Ghent, Ocean View, Wards Corner or a shoulder on I-64 or I-264, call (757) 796-4622 and give us your exact location. We handle car towing, flatbed towing and roadside assistance, including weekends and holidays.
How do I find a towing company near me in Hampton Roads?
The simplest way to find a towing service near you in Hampton Roads is to call a local company that already works your area. All Wide Towing & Recovery is based in Norfolk and serves Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News. When you compare tow companies, ask what truck they’ll send, what the price is before they dispatch, and whether they give a receipt. Call (757) 796-4622 and we’ll answer all three before a truck leaves our yard.
What information should I have ready when I call?
When you call for a tow in Norfolk, have five things ready: your exact location, the vehicle’s year, make and model, what happened, where it should go, and a phone number we can call back. For a location, a street address or the nearest cross streets works well. On an interstate, give the highway, your direction and the nearest exit. Also tell us if the vehicle is all-wheel drive, electric, lowered, damaged, or won’t roll, so we send the right equipment the first time.
How do I describe my location on an interstate?
To describe your location on a Hampton Roads interstate, give the highway (I-64, I-264, I-464, I-564 or I-664), your direction (eastbound, westbound, northbound or southbound), the last exit you passed or the next one ahead, and which side of the road you’re on. Mile markers and nearby landmarks help too. If you’re not sure, your phone’s map app can show your position, and you can read us the nearest cross street or exit number when you call (757) 796-4622.
Are you open at night and on weekends?
Yes. All Wide Towing & Recovery is open every day, day and night, including weekends and holidays, for towing and roadside assistance in Norfolk and Hampton Roads. Breakdowns don’t keep business hours, so you can call (757) 796-4622 late at night, early in the morning or on a holiday and talk to us about a tow, a jump start, a lockout, a flat tire or fuel delivery. Ask for the price when you call, and we’ll tell you before the truck is sent.
Can I request a tow online?
Yes. You can request a planned tow in Norfolk online using the form on our Contact Us page. Online requests work well for moving a car that doesn’t run, taking a vehicle to a dealership or body shop, or scheduling a tow for a specific day. Include the pickup address, the destination and the vehicle details. If you’re stuck on the roadside or the situation is urgent, call (757) 796-4622 instead so we can talk through it with you right then.
Types of towing
What’s the difference between flatbed towing and a wheel lift?
Flatbed towing carries the whole vehicle on the truck bed with all four wheels off the road, while a wheel lift raises one end of the vehicle and lets the other wheels roll. In Norfolk, we use a flatbed for all-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, electric, low and damaged vehicles. A wheel lift works for many two-wheel-drive cars that can roll safely, and it fits tight spots like parking garages and narrow streets. Tell us your vehicle and we’ll pick the right one. See flatbed towing in Norfolk.
What is the difference between a wrecker and a flatbed?
A wrecker is a tow truck that lifts and pulls a vehicle with a boom or wheel lift, while a flatbed carries the vehicle on a tilting bed. In Norfolk, wrecker service is common for cars that roll safely, for pulling vehicles out of ditches or tight spaces, and for larger trucks. A flatbed is the safer choice for AWD, electric, lowered and badly damaged vehicles. All Wide runs both, plus wheel lifts, dollies and a boom truck, so we can match the truck to the job.
Does my all-wheel-drive car need a flatbed?
Usually yes. Most all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles should be towed on a flatbed, because many car makers say AWD and 4WD vehicles need all four wheels off the ground to avoid drivetrain damage. Your owner’s manual has a towing section that explains the rules for your model. If you don’t have it handy, tell us the year, make and model when you call (757) 796-4622 and we’ll send a flatbed or use wheel dollies when that’s the right fit.
Can you tow electric vehicles?
Yes. We tow electric vehicles in Norfolk and Hampton Roads, usually on a flatbed, as most EV manufacturers recommend. Many EVs shouldn’t be towed with their drive wheels on the ground, because turning the motor can damage it. Tell us the make and model when you call, and let us know if the car won’t shift into neutral or has lost power. We can take your EV to a dealership, a repair shop, a charging location or your home.
Can you tow a car with no keys?
Usually, yes. We can tow most cars with no keys, but tell us when you call, because it changes the equipment we bring. Without keys, the steering may be locked and the car may be stuck in park, so the wheels won’t turn freely. In that case we use wheel dollies or winch the vehicle onto a flatbed. If the keys are lost but the car is simply locked, our car lockout service may be all you need.
Can you tow a car that’s been sitting or doesn’t roll?
Yes. We tow cars that have been sitting for months or won’t roll at all. Flat tires, seized brakes, a locked transmission or missing wheels are common with stored vehicles. We use a winch to pull the vehicle onto a flatbed, or wheel dollies to carry the wheels that won’t turn. Tell us how long the car has been parked, whether the tires hold air, and how much room there is around it, so we arrive with the right gear.
Do you tow box trucks and RVs?
Yes. We tow box trucks, RVs, work trucks and large vans in Norfolk and Hampton Roads through our medium duty towing service. These vehicles are too big for a standard car tow, so we size the truck to the vehicle’s weight and length. When you call, give us the make, model and approximate length, tell us whether it’s loaded, and say if the vehicle is in a parking lot, a driveway or on the road shoulder.
Do you tow large commercial trucks?
Yes. Our heavy duty towing covers large trucks and commercial vehicles across Hampton Roads, including recovery when a vehicle is off the road or stuck. Heavy duty towing in Hampton Roads often involves port, freight and service traffic on I-64, I-264 and I-664. When you call (757) 796-4622, tell us the type of truck, whether it’s loaded, where it is and where it needs to go, and we’ll tell you what equipment the job needs.
Do you tow to a dealership for warranty repair?
Yes. We tow vehicles to any dealership in Norfolk and Hampton Roads for warranty repair, recall work or diagnosis. Call the dealership’s service department first so they expect the car, then give us the dealer’s name and address. Whether the tow itself is covered depends on your warranty or the manufacturer’s roadside program, so check with them. Keep your receipt from us in case your warranty, roadside plan or insurance policy reimburses the tow.
Roadside assistance
What roadside services do you offer?
Our roadside assistance in Norfolk and Hampton Roads covers jump starts, car lockout service, flat tire changes, fuel delivery and winch-outs. We deliver regular gas, premium gas and diesel. If you’re searching for roadside assistance near me because of a dead battery, keys locked inside, a flat, an empty tank or a car stuck in sand or mud, call (757) 796-4622. See roadside assistance for details on each service.
Do I need a tow or roadside assistance?
You need roadside assistance if the problem is small and the car is otherwise fine: a dead battery, a lockout, a flat tire with a usable spare, an empty tank, or a vehicle stuck but undamaged. You need a tow if the car can’t be driven safely, such as after a crash, with engine, brake or steering trouble, heavy smoke, or overheating. Not sure? Describe the problem when you call and we’ll help you decide.
What if you can’t fix my car on the spot?
If roadside assistance can’t get your car running, the same call becomes a tow. For example, if a jump start doesn’t hold, the spare is flat too, or the problem turns out to be mechanical, we can take the vehicle to the repair shop, dealership, tire shop or home address you choose. Ask about the price for the tow before we load the car, so there are no surprises.
Do you change tires if I don’t have a spare?
A flat tire change uses your own spare, so we need a usable spare tire to do it. If you don’t have one, or the spare is flat or damaged, we can tow the vehicle to a tire shop or another place you choose. Many newer cars come with a tire repair kit instead of a spare. Check your trunk and owner’s manual, and tell us what you have when you call (757) 796-4622.
Do you deliver fuel and diesel in Norfolk?
Yes. Our fuel delivery service in Norfolk and Hampton Roads brings enough regular gas, premium gas or diesel to get you to the nearest station. Tell us which fuel your vehicle uses when you call, because putting the wrong fuel in a tank can cause expensive damage. If your car still won’t start after it has fuel, the problem may be the battery, the fuel pump or something else, and we can tow it to a shop.
Cost and insurance
How much does towing cost in Norfolk, VA?
Towing cost in Norfolk, VA depends on the distance, the vehicle’s size and weight, the type of tow truck needed and whether recovery work is required, such as winching a car out of a ditch. A short local tow of a sedan is a different job from moving a box truck across Hampton Roads. Call (757) 796-4622 and ask for the price before we send the truck. Read: How much does a tow truck cost in Norfolk, VA?
Will I know the price before the truck comes?
Yes, if you ask when you call. Give us your pickup location in Norfolk or Hampton Roads, the vehicle’s year, make and model, its condition and the destination address, and we’ll tell you the price before the tow truck is sent. The more accurate the details, the more accurate the price. If something changes, such as a different destination or a vehicle that won’t roll, tell us so we can update it.
Does my insurance cover towing?
Towing coverage depends on your auto insurance policy. Many policies and roadside plans in Virginia include some towing, often as an add-on, while others don’t. Check your policy or call your insurer to find out what’s covered and how reimbursement works. Pay for the tow, keep your receipt, and ask whether your insurer or roadside plan will reimburse you under your coverage.
Do you give receipts?
Yes. Every tow and roadside service from All Wide Towing & Recovery comes with a receipt. Keep it for your records, your insurance company, your roadside plan, your employer or a warranty claim. The receipt shows the service, the date and the pickup and drop-off locations, which is what most reimbursement claims ask for. If you need a copy later, call (757) 796-4622 and give us the date and vehicle.
Accidents, highways and Virginia law
What should I do after a car accident in Virginia?
After a car accident in Virginia, first check that everyone is safe and get medical help if anyone is injured. If no one is hurt and your car can be driven, move it out of the travel lanes, as Code of Virginia § 46.2-888 requires. Turn on your hazard lights, exchange information, take photos and follow police instructions. If the car can’t be driven, call us for accident towing in Norfolk. Read the full guide: What to do after a car accident in Virginia.
What should I do if my car breaks down on I-64 or I-264?
If your car breaks down on I-64 or I-264 in Norfolk, turn on your hazard lights and steer onto the right shoulder or the nearest exit if you can. Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt on. Note the highway, your direction and the nearest exit or mile marker, then call (757) 796-4622 for a tow. If you feel unsafe or the car is stuck in a travel lane, dial #77 from a cell phone to reach Virginia State Police.
Will VDOT Safety Service Patrol tow my car?
VDOT’s Safety Service Patrol may help with minor problems like a jump start or moving a disabled car off some patrolled interstates in Hampton Roads, but it doesn’t tow your car to your repair shop, dealership or home. For that, you need a towing company. If an SSP crew moves you to a safe spot, call All Wide Towing & Recovery at (757) 796-4622 for the tow. For highway conditions, you can call 511 for VDOT traveler information.
What if I break down in a tunnel or on a bridge-tunnel?
If you break down inside a Hampton Roads tunnel, such as the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel or the Downtown or Midtown Tunnel, stay in your vehicle with your seat belt on and hazard lights on. Dial #77 from a cell phone to reach Virginia State Police. Tunnel breakdowns are handled by the tunnel operators and authorities. Once your vehicle has been moved to a safe spot outside the tunnel, call us at (757) 796-4622 for a tow.
What is Virginia’s Move Over law?
Virginia’s Move Over law, Code of Virginia § 46.2-861.1, requires drivers approaching a stopped vehicle showing flashing lights, hazard lights, flares or warning signs to move over a lane when it’s safe, or slow down and pass with caution if they can’t. It protects police, tow truck drivers, road crews and stranded drivers on the shoulder. On highways with two or more lanes in your direction, change lanes if you can. Read: Virginia’s Move Over law explained.
Should I stay in my car if it breaks down on the interstate?
Usually yes. On an interstate shoulder in Hampton Roads, it’s generally safest to stay in your vehicle with your seat belt on and your hazard lights on while you wait for a tow truck. Traffic on I-64, I-264 and I-664 moves close to the shoulder, and standing beside the car puts you at risk. If you must get out, use the door away from traffic and move well behind a guardrail if there is one.
Can you tow my car to the body shop my insurer chose?
Yes. After an accident in Norfolk or anywhere in Hampton Roads, we tow your car to any body shop or repair shop you or your insurance company choose. Give us the shop’s name and address when you call. If you haven’t picked a shop yet, we can take the car to your home and you can move it later. Keep your towing receipt and ask your insurer whether your policy reimburses the tow.
Service areas
Where is All Wide Towing & Recovery located?
All Wide Towing & Recovery is located at 2151 Maude B. Davis St, Norfolk, VA 23504, and we serve drivers in Norfolk and across Hampton Roads. Our tow trucks come to you, so you don’t need to visit our address for a tow or roadside service. We’re open every day, day and night, including weekends and holidays. Call (757) 796-4622 with your location and we’ll send the right truck.
Which cities do you serve?
We provide towing and roadside assistance across Hampton Roads: Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton and Newport News. We also cover the interstates that connect them, including I-64, I-264, I-464, I-564 and I-664. If you’re just outside these cities, call (757) 796-4622 and ask. Tell us the pickup address and destination, and we’ll let you know if we can help and what the price is before we send a truck.
Can you tow my car from Norfolk to another city?
Yes. We do city-to-city towing from Norfolk to anywhere in Hampton Roads, for example to a dealership in Virginia Beach, a shop in Chesapeake or a relative’s home in Newport News. Give us the full pickup and destination addresses when you call (757) 796-4622 so we can tell you the price before we send the truck. A flatbed is often the right choice for longer trips.
Towing by city
Do you provide towing in Norfolk, VA?
Yes. Norfolk is our home base, and we provide towing and roadside assistance across the city, from Downtown and Ghent to Ocean View, Wards Corner and the Naval Station area. We pick up on I-64, I-264 and I-564 and on main roads like Tidewater Drive, Military Highway, Hampton Boulevard and Granby Street. Need a tow truck near me in Norfolk? Call (757) 796-4622. Learn more about Towing in Norfolk.
Do you provide towing in Virginia Beach, VA?
Yes. We provide towing and roadside assistance in Virginia Beach, VA, including flatbed towing, accident towing and jump starts. We pick up along I-264, Virginia Beach Boulevard and near the Oceanfront, plus neighborhoods and shopping centers across the city. Sand at the beach can trap cars, and our winch-out service can pull them free. Call (757) 796-4622 for a price. See Towing in Virginia Beach.
Do you provide towing in Chesapeake, VA?
Yes. We provide towing in Chesapeake, VA for cars, trucks, vans and commercial vehicles. We pick up on I-64 and I-464, along Battlefield Boulevard and around Greenbrier, and in residential areas across the city. Whether you need a flatbed for an AWD car, a tow to a dealership or roadside help with a dead battery, call (757) 796-4622. See Towing in Chesapeake and flatbed towing.
Do you provide towing in Portsmouth, VA?
Yes. We provide towing and roadside assistance in Portsmouth, VA, including Olde Towne and the neighborhoods along I-264. Portsmouth connects to Norfolk through the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels. If you break down inside a tunnel, stay in your vehicle with hazards on and dial #77 for Virginia State Police. Once you’re moved to a safe spot, call us at (757) 796-4622. See Towing in Portsmouth.
Do you provide towing in Suffolk, VA?
Yes. We provide towing in Suffolk, VA for cars, pickups, work trucks and larger vehicles. We pick up on I-664 and US-58, in North Suffolk and around downtown Suffolk. Suffolk covers a lot of rural ground, so vehicles sometimes end up in soft shoulders or ditches, and our winch-out and heavy duty towing services can help. Call (757) 796-4622 for a price. See Towing in Suffolk.
Do you provide towing in Hampton, VA?
Yes. We provide towing and roadside assistance in Hampton, VA. We pick up along I-64 and Mercury Boulevard and on the Peninsula side of the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. If you break down inside the bridge-tunnel, stay in your vehicle with hazards on and dial #77 for Virginia State Police; once you’re moved to a safe spot, call us. We tow to any Hampton shop, dealer or home. See Towing in Hampton.
Do you provide towing in Newport News, VA?
Yes. We provide towing in Newport News, VA for cars, SUVs, trucks and commercial vehicles. We pick up on I-64 and I-664 and along Jefferson Avenue and Warwick Boulevard, from the north end of the city to downtown. Whether you need accident towing, a flatbed for an electric car or a jump start, call (757) 796-4622 and ask for the price first. See Towing in Newport News.
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