What Does Tow Release Cost in Wichita?

Updated November 2026 by the Miller’s Towing & Recovery yard team

Finding your car gone is stressful. Finding out what it costs to get it back can be worse, especially if you wait a few days. We release cars from our yard on South Broadway every day, and the owners who pay the least are the ones who know the fees and act fast.

Here is what makes up a tow release bill in Wichita, how City rules cap the costs, and how to keep your total as low as possible.

What Fees Make Up the Total Tow Release Cost?

• Tow fee. The charge to hook up and move your car. For police tows, Miller’s posted 2026 City rate is $140 for a light duty tow.
• Mileage. A rate for each loaded mile. Our posted City rate is $8.50 per mile.
• Extra services. Winching, uprighting a rollover, dollies, or cleanup at a crash scene. Our posted City rates include $45 per 15 minutes of winching and $145 to upright a light duty rollover.
• Storage. A daily charge while the car sits in the yard. Our posted City rate is $50 per day for police tows.

Every company on the City’s police rotation files these rates, and the City posts them in the emergency wrecker fee schedule. Ask for an itemized bill and compare it to the posted rates.

Police Tows vs. Private Property Tows in Wichita

	Police called tow (Miller’s 2026 posted rate)	Private property tow (2026 City cap)
Tow fee	$140	About $135
Per mile	$8.50	About $5.30
Storage per day	$50	About $40
Who sets it	Rates filed with the City	City Code caps, which started in 2023 at $120, $4.70, and $36 and rise 4% each June

Example: a police tow of 5 miles with Miller’s, picked up the next day, adds up to about $140 + $42.50 in mileage + $50 in storage, or roughly $232.50 before any extra services. Wait four more days and storage alone adds $200 more.

How Do Wichita Release Costs Compare?

Wichita drivers have one big advantage: the City both posts police tow rates and caps private tow fees. Many places leave those prices up to each company. In Wichita, you can check the rate before you pay. If a bill looks high, compare it to the City schedule or the private tow caps above.

What Are Drop Fees?

Some cities and companies use a drop fee, a smaller charge when the owner shows up before the car leaves the lot. If you catch a private property tow in progress, ask the driver right away what it costs to release the car on the spot. Then check your itemized bill against the City caps.

Practical Tips to Lower Your Tow Release Charges

1. Find your car fast. Use the City’s FindMyCar search or call the WPD Records Bureau at 316-268-4303, Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For private lot tows, the company name and phone are on the sign at the entrance.
2. Bring the right papers. A valid photo ID and your current registration. Missing paperwork means another day of storage.
3. Go during release hours. City rules require releases Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. After hours release can cost extra.
4. Know the Sunday and holiday rule. For police tows, storage can’t be charged for Sundays or closed holidays if you claim the car within three business days after.
5. Get your things in time. Owners can get personal items from an emergency wrecker tow for 48 hours after the tow.
6. Pay by card if you need to. City licensed emergency wrecker companies must take cards or cash at no extra fee.
7. Know your rights. For police impounds, you can request a due process hearing within five business days through Municipal Court at 316-268-4629.

Key Takeaways

• Your bill is the tow, mileage, extra services, and daily storage.
• Police tow rates are posted by the City, and private tow fees are capped.
• Storage is the cost that grows, so pick up as soon as you can.
• Bring a photo ID and registration, and go during release hours.

What We’ve Learned About Tow Release Costs on Wichita Roads

The biggest bills we see aren’t from the tow itself. They come from cars that sit for a week because the owner didn’t know where the car went or didn’t have the registration. A five minute FindMyCar search and a trip to the yard the same day save more money than anything else.

Wichita’s Dependable Towing Service With Upfront Pricing

Miller’s Towing & Recovery is on the City of Wichita emergency wrecker list, with a fenced yard at 4309 S Broadway. Call ahead and we will tell you the total and have your car ready. For more help, see our towed or impounded car FAQs or our full guide to towing costs in Wichita.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does tow release cost on average in Wichita?

For a police tow with Miller’s, the 2026 City posted rates are $140 for the tow, $8.50 per mile, and $50 per day of storage, plus any extra services. A short tow picked up the next day often lands around $230 to $260. Private property tows have lower City fee caps.

How much is tow release if I pick up the same day?

You pay the tow, the mileage, and any extra services, and you keep storage to a minimum. Picking up as soon as the yard opens is the single best way to lower the bill.

What is a drop fee and how does it reduce my bill?

A drop fee is a smaller charge some companies use when the owner returns before the car leaves the lot. Ask the driver right away if you catch a tow in progress, and check your itemized bill against the City caps.

Can tow yards charge after hours fees in Wichita?

Some yards offer after hours release for an added fee. City rules for emergency wrecker companies require releases Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., so planning your pickup inside those hours avoids the extra charge.

What paperwork do I need to release my vehicle from a tow yard?

Bring a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license, state ID, military ID, or passport, plus your current vehicle registration. A car under a police hold needs a WPD release first.

Recommended Reading

• The Real Cost of Towing in Wichita: What to Expect
• Can You Tow Cars Off Your Private Property in Kansas?
• How to Choose a Reliable Tow Company in Wichita
• What to Do If You’ve Been in a Car Accident in Wichita