Towing in Davis, CA
Broken down near campus, on I-80, or along Hwy 113? One call connects you with a local tow operator — towing, jump starts, lockouts, flat tires, and recovery, day or night.
CALL (530) 490-5352 Request Help →Tow & Roadside Help Across Davis
Davis is a college town with heavy student traffic, thousands of daily commuters on I-80 between Sacramento and the Bay, and long stretches of Hwy 113 heading up toward Woodland. That mix means breakdowns happen everywhere from downtown to the causeway.
Whether you’re a UC Davis student with a dead battery in a campus lot, a commuter stuck on the Yolo Causeway, or a resident who slid off a wet county road, the local operator network covers it — with upfront pricing quoted before any truck rolls.
UC Davis Cars That Sit Too Long
Davis is a bike town first. With bike lanes on almost every street and a campus built around cycling, a lot of UC Davis students bring a car and then barely drive it. It sits in a dorm or apartment lot for weeks, through finals and over winter break, and when it finally gets turned on, the battery is flat. That is the single most common student call, and it is almost always a jump start rather than a tow.
If your car has been sitting all quarter, try a jump first. Once it starts, drive it for at least 20 to 30 minutes so the alternator can recharge the battery. If it dies again within a day or two, the battery has probably been drained too many times and needs replacing. When you call from campus or an apartment complex, give the lot or building name and the nearest cross street, and mention if the lot is behind a gate or needs a permit to enter.
I-80, the Yolo Causeway, and Downtown
On the Yolo Causeway
East of Davis, I-80 crosses the Yolo Bypass on the Yolo Causeway, a raised stretch of about three miles with no exits and very little room on the shoulder. Traffic runs fast and heavy in both directions. If your car starts to fail on the causeway and it is still moving, the safest move is usually to keep going to the far end and get off at the first exit: Mace Boulevard if you are westbound into Davis, or the first West Sacramento exit if you are eastbound. If it stops on the causeway, hazards on, stay buckled in, and call. Tell the operator eastbound or westbound first, because the truck has to come up the correct side and there is no turning around in the middle.
Downtown garages and the Amtrak station
Downtown Davis has public parking garages and the Amtrak station lot by the old depot, and both see dead batteries and lockouts, especially after a car has been parked for a trip. In a parking garage, tell the operator which garage and which level. Low ceiling clearance can decide which truck is sent, and a car on an upper level sometimes has to be jumped or rolled to the ground floor before it can be towed.
Services Available in Davis
Emergency Towing — cars, trucks, SUVs; local & longer hauls.
Jump Starts — dead battery in a lot or driveway.
Lockouts — damage-free unlock, most makes.
Flat Tire Help — spare mounted or towed to a shop.
Winch-Out — stuck off the road or in mud.
Roadside Assistance — fuel, minor fixes, and more.
Typical Towing Cost in Davis
| Service | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Local tow (hookup + first miles) | $75 – $125 |
| Each additional mile | $3 – $5 |
| Jump start / lockout / flat | $50 – $100 |
| Winch-out / recovery | $75 – $250+ |
Typical market ranges for the Davis area — the operator quotes your exact price before dispatch.
Davis Towing FAQs
Can you tow from the UC Davis campus or a student apartment lot?
Yes — the operator network covers campus, downtown, and the apartment areas around Davis. Give the building, lot, or nearest cross street when you call.
I broke down on the Yolo Causeway — can you reach me?
Yes. The I-80 causeway between Davis and West Sacramento is covered — note the direction of travel and nearest mile marker so the operator finds you fast.
How much is a tow from Davis to Sacramento or Woodland?
Local hookup runs $75–$125 plus $3–$5 per mile, so a longer tow adds mileage. You’ll get an exact quote before dispatch.
My car’s been sitting all quarter and won’t start. What do I do?
Start with a jump. A car that has sat for weeks almost always has a drained battery, and a jump start typically runs $50 to $100. Drive it for a while afterward. If it still won’t start after a jump, the operator can tow it to a shop in Davis.
Can you tow from a campus lot?
Yes. Campus and apartment lots are covered. Give the lot name or number and the nearest building, and mention if the car is behind a gate. If the car is in a permit lot, make sure you have the keys and can be there when the truck arrives.
Stranded in Davis?
CALL (530) 490-5352Also serving nearby Winters, Dixon, West Sacramento, and Woodland. Car won’t start? See how to tell a jump from a tow. Woodland Towing Pros connects stranded drivers with independent local tow operators; availability varies by time and location, and final pricing is quoted before dispatch.