If you need your car towed in San Diego, who you call depends on your situation. For a breakdown or a non-emergency tow, call a licensed local towing company directly, like Quick Tow San Diego at (858) 923-5787. You get to choose who tows your car. If there’s an accident with injuries or your car is blocking traffic, call 911 first. If you’re stranded on a freeway, get to the shoulder and call CHP. The decision tree below covers every case.
Your situation, and who to call
| Your situation | Who to call | Number / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Car broke down, no injuries | A tow company you choose | Quick Tow SD: (858) 923-5787 |
| Stuck on a San Diego freeway | Freeway Service Patrol or CHP | Dial 511, or 911 if you’re in a dangerous spot |
| Accident with injuries or blocking traffic | 911 first | Police can call a rotation tow, or request your own once safe |
| Car parked on your property without permission | A licensed tow company | Quick Tow SD: (858) 923-5787 (CVC 22658 rules apply) |
| Your car was already towed and you don’t know who took it | SDPD non-emergency line | (619) 531-2000, or check the posted sign |
| Lockout, dead battery, flat, out of gas | A roadside company | Quick Tow SD: (858) 923-5787 |
Car broke down with no injuries
This is the most common case, and it’s the simplest. When your car won’t run but nobody’s hurt, you call a tow company yourself. You’re the one who decides who shows up and where your car goes.
You don’t have to use whoever a passerby recommends. You don’t have to wait for police. Call a licensed local company, tell them where you are and where the car needs to go, and ask for a price before the truck rolls. Quick Tow SD answers 24/7 at (858) 923-5787 and tows across San Diego County. See our emergency towing page for what to have ready.
You’re stranded on a San Diego freeway
Freeway shoulders are dangerous, so safety comes before the phone. Get the car as far onto the right shoulder as you can, turn on your hazards, and stay buckled inside if traffic is heavy.
San Diego runs a Freeway Service Patrol that clears disabled vehicles on the busiest freeways during peak commute hours, and it’s free. For help or to report a hazard, you can dial 511 (San Diego 511). If you’re in a genuinely dangerous spot, like a narrow shoulder or a blind curve, call CHP through 911. Once you’re safe and off the freeway, you can call a tow company to take it from there. Our guide on what to do during a freeway breakdown walks through the full sequence.
After an accident with injuries or a blocked road
When someone’s hurt or your car is stuck in a travel lane, call 911 first. Police and medics come first, and the officer on scene can call a rotation tow if your car has to clear the road right away.
Here’s what a lot of drivers don’t know. Once the scene is safe and the officer clears it, you can usually request your own tow company instead of taking the rotation truck. That matters, because rotation tows and their storage yards can get expensive fast. If you’re able to choose, call a company you trust. Our post on what to do after a car accident in San Diego covers the rest.
A car is parked on your property without permission
If someone left a car on your private property and won’t move it, you, as the property owner, are the one who calls a licensed tow company. The driver doesn’t get a say.
California private-property tows follow Vehicle Code 22658. There are rules about signage, how long the car has to sit there, and what the tow company has to do. Get those wrong and you can be on the hook. We break it all down in CVC 22658 private-property towing, and our private-property tow service handles it the legal way.
Your car was towed and you don’t know who took it
If you came back and your car is gone, first figure out whether it was towed or stolen. Look for a posted sign where you parked. Tow-away zones and private lots are required to post a sign with the towing company’s name and number.
If there’s no sign or you can’t find it, call the San Diego Police non-emergency line at (619) 531-2000. They can tell you whether your car was reported towed and which yard has it. Bring your ID and proof of ownership when you go to pick it up.
You’re locked out, dead, flat, or out of gas
Not every problem needs a tow. If your car is fine but you’re stuck, you need roadside help, not a flatbed. Quick Tow SD does jump starts, lockouts, fuel delivery, and flat-tire changes across San Diego.
Call (858) 923-5787 and tell them what’s wrong. Most of these get you back on the road without towing the car at all. See our roadside assistance page for the full list, and the main towing service page if you do end up needing a tow.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I call to tow my car in San Diego?
Call a licensed local towing company directly, like Quick Tow San Diego at (858) 923-5787. For a breakdown or non-emergency tow, you choose who tows your car. If there’s an accident with injuries or your car is blocking traffic, call 911 first.
Do I call 911 or a tow company?
Call 911 only if someone’s hurt, your car is blocking traffic, or you’re in a dangerous spot. For a simple breakdown with no injuries, call a tow company yourself. You don’t need police involved to get a non-emergency tow.
Who do I call if my car was towed from a parking lot?
Check for a posted sign where you parked, since lots are required to list the tow company’s name and number. If you can’t find it, call the San Diego Police non-emergency line at (619) 531-2000 to learn which yard has your car. Bring ID and proof of ownership to pick it up.
Can I choose my own tow company after a breakdown?
Yes. For any non-emergency tow, you decide who shows up and where your car goes. You’re never required to use the first truck that pulls over or whoever a stranger recommends. Call a licensed company you trust and ask for a price first.
Is the Freeway Service Patrol free in San Diego?
Yes. The Freeway Service Patrol clears disabled vehicles on San Diego’s busiest freeways during peak commute hours at no charge. For help or to report a hazard, dial 511, or call CHP through 911 if you’re in a dangerous location.
The short version
For a breakdown or any non-emergency tow in San Diego, you call a licensed local tow company yourself, and you get to pick who it is. Save Quick Tow SD as your number now, before you need it.
We answer 24/7 and tow across San Diego County. Call (858) 923-5787.