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24/7/365 Emergency Dispatch
Stalled on I-5 near the Coronado Bridge? Transmission failed on I-8 through Mission Valley? Stuck on a narrow shoulder with trucks shaking your vehicle? We're already on our way. Real bilingual dispatcher answers live in 30 seconds, no phone trees, no bots, no runaround.
Servicio en Tijuana: (664) 801-9382Call (619) 872-5285 and a live bilingual dispatcher picks up immediately. We send the closest truck across San Diego County with an average response of 15-30 minutes, faster in Downtown, South Bay, National City, Chula Vista, and the I-5/I-805 corridor. Tell us where you are and stay safe. We are already on our way. Hablamos español.
We know calling a tow truck in an emergency is stressful. Here is exactly what happens from the second you call until your vehicle is safe.
You did not plan for this. Nobody does. Your car stalled in a live traffic lane on I-5 near the Coronado Bridge off-ramp. Your transmission failed climbing the grade on I-8 through Mission Valley. You hit debris on SR-163 near Balboa Park and now you are sitting on a narrow shoulder with trucks shaking your vehicle every time they pass.
This page exists for you.
RJ Towing is a family-owned emergency towing company based at 2881 G St in San Diego, CA 92102. We have served San Diego County for over 15 years, operating a fleet of 5+ tow trucks, flatbeds, wheel-lifts, and medium-duty rigs, dispatched from a central location that reaches every major San Diego freeway within minutes.
When you call (619) 872-5285, a live dispatcher (English or Spanish) picks up and gets your location, vehicle description, and situation. A truck rolls immediately. Our average response time is 15-30 minutes across San Diego County, and faster in our core service zones: Downtown, South Bay, National City, Chula Vista, and the I-5/I-805 corridor.
24/7 means 24/7. Christmas morning, Fourth of July at midnight, 5 AM on a Tuesday. Our dispatch line (619) 872-5285 is staffed by a real person at all hours. We do not use answering services or voicemail after hours.
Over 35% of San Diego County residents speak Spanish at home. In South Bay, San Ysidro, and Barrio Logan, that number exceeds 60%. Our dispatchers and drivers speak fluent English and Spanish, so there is no communication barrier when you are stressed and stranded. We also operate a Tijuana phone line at (664) 801-9382 for cross-border emergencies.
Robert and his family have run RJ Towing since approximately 2010. This is not a franchise or a dispatch aggregator that sends random operators to your location. Every truck in our fleet is owned and operated by RJ Towing. Our drivers know San Diego because they grew up here, drive here daily, and understand every freeway, surface street shortcut, and neighborhood backroad.
We do not operate a single truck and hope for the best. Our fleet includes flatbed (rollback) trucks for AWD vehicles, Teslas, luxury cars, lowered vehicles, motorcycles, and accident-damaged cars; wheel-lift trucks for standard front- or rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks and for tight spaces where a flatbed cannot maneuver; and medium-duty equipment for box trucks, RVs, delivery vehicles, and work trucks up to 26,000 lbs GVWR.
We quote a price before the truck arrives. Our emergency towing rate starts at $75 for the hook plus $8 per mile. If your situation requires a flatbed, there is a $45 flatbed premium. No surprise surcharges, no inflated invoices.
Every emergency is different. Here are the most common scenarios we respond to across San Diego County, and how we handle each one.
The I-5 corridor south of downtown, through National City, Chula Vista, and into San Ysidro, is one of the busiest stretches of freeway in the county. Breakdowns here are dangerous because of heavy truck traffic and narrow shoulders, especially near the merge with SR-54 and the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
RJ Towing responds to I-5 South breakdowns in 12-18 minutes from our G Street base.
The Coronado Bridge has no shoulder in most sections. An accident or breakdown on the bridge is an emergency by definition, there is nowhere to pull over safely, and bridge traffic backs up fast.
We coordinate with CHP for bridge incidents and dispatch a truck immediately. Call (619) 872-5285 the moment it happens.
The I-8/College Avenue interchange near San Diego State is a high-traffic zone where overheated engines, failed transmissions, and dead batteries are a daily occurrence. Elevation changes on I-8 eastbound through Mission Valley and into the College Area put extra strain on engines, especially on hot San Diego days.
We reach the SDSU area in 15-20 minutes.
SR-163 through Hillcrest and into Balboa Park is a winding, narrow freeway with limited shoulders. A blowout here puts you in a bad spot. If you have a spare, we can change it on-site. If the tire is shredded or the rim is damaged, we load your vehicle and take you to the tire shop of your choice.
Response time to the SR-163 corridor: 10-15 minutes.
Downtown San Diego on a weekend night is chaotic, pedestrians, rideshare vehicles, one-way streets, parking garages with tight clearances. Our drivers know the one-way grid and can reach you with a wheel-lift truck that fits in tight downtown spaces.
We pick up from parking garages, valet zones, and metered street parking.
SR-905 connects I-805 to the Otay Mesa border crossing. It is a stretch with no gas stations and heavy commercial truck traffic. Running out of fuel here leaves you exposed.
We deliver 2-5 gallons of gas to get you moving, or tow you to the nearest station. Our bilingual dispatch handles the border corridor in English or Spanish.
Transparent pricing matters, especially when you are stressed. We quote your total before the truck arrives, we bill at the same rate 24/7, and we do not add surprise charges after we arrive.
| Service | Starting Price |
|---|---|
Standard tow (wheel-lift) FWD/RWD vehicles, short-to-medium distance | $75 hook + $8/mile |
Flatbed tow AWD, Tesla/EV, luxury, lowered, motorcycle, accident-damaged | $75 + $45 premium + $8/mile |
After-hours / holiday surcharge Same rate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year | None |
Mileage Measured from where we pick up to where we deliver | Pickup → drop-off |
Storage (if needed) | Daily rate, quoted at dispatch |
Rates shown are typical for standard passenger vehicles within San Diego County. Medium-duty vehicles, long-distance tows, and recovery situations are quoted separately. Insurance direct-billing available for accident tows.
The right equipment makes the difference between a safe recovery and vehicle damage. Every RJ Towing truck is loaded out the same way.
Your safety matters more than your vehicle. Here is what to do while you wait for RJ Towing to arrive, depending on where you are stranded.
Move to the right shoulder if possible. If you cannot move the vehicle, turn on your hazard lights immediately and stay inside with your seatbelt on. If you can exit the vehicle safely, move to the right side (away from traffic) and stand behind the guardrail or up an embankment. Never stand between your vehicle and traffic.
Call (619) 872-5285 first, then 911 if you are in a live traffic lane or if there are injuries. At night, use your phone flashlight or an interior light so other drivers can see you. Do not stand in the roadway to wave down help. Do not attempt to cross freeway lanes on foot under any circumstances.
Turn on your hazard lights. If the vehicle is partially blocking traffic, try to push it to the curb (only if safe and you have help). Stand on the sidewalk, not in the street. Call (619) 872-5285 and share your cross street or address.
Turn on hazard lights so other drivers see you. Stay with your vehicle if the area is safe. Note the level and section of the garage, our driver will need this to find you quickly.
Do not accept help from unmarked vehicles or individuals who approach offering tow services. Unlicensed tow operators are a real problem in San Diego. RJ Towing is a licensed, insured operator based at 2881 G St, San Diego, CA 92102. If someone approaches you, tell them you already have a tow company on the way.
RJ Towing's average response time is 15-30 minutes across San Diego County. In our core service area, Downtown, South Bay, National City, Chula Vista, Mission Valley, and the I-5/I-805 corridor, response times are typically 10-20 minutes. North County locations (Carlsbad, Oceanside, Encinitas) may take 25-40 minutes depending on traffic and time of day. When you call (619) 872-5285, our dispatcher gives you a specific ETA based on the closest available truck.
Our standard emergency tow starts at $75 for the hook plus $8 per mile from the pickup point to the drop-off destination. Flatbed towing adds a $45 premium. There is no after-hours surcharge, the price is the same at 2 PM and 2 AM. We quote your total before the truck arrives so there are no surprises.
Yes. Accident and collision towing is one of our core services. We photograph the scene for your records, handle the vehicle carefully to avoid further damage, and deliver it to your body shop or insurance-approved repair facility. We can also coordinate with CHP or SDPD on-scene. Learn more on our accident towing page.
Yes. Teslas, Rivians, EVs, and all-wheel-drive vehicles (Subaru, Audi Quattro, BMW xDrive, etc.) must be transported on a flatbed, wheel-lift towing can damage the drivetrain or electric motors. We dispatch a flatbed automatically when you tell us your vehicle type. Read more about our flatbed towing service.
Yes. RJ Towing is the only San Diego tow company offering true cross-border service. We operate on both sides of the border with a dedicated Tijuana phone line at (664) 801-9382. We handle vehicle breakdowns at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the Otay Mesa crossing, and locations within Tijuana. Visit our Tijuana/cross-border towing page for details.
Move to the right shoulder if you can. Turn on hazard lights. Exit the vehicle on the right side (away from traffic) if it is safe to do so. Stand behind the guardrail. Call (619) 872-5285 immediately. Do not attempt to fix the vehicle yourself in a freeway lane. Do not walk along the freeway. We will come to you.
Yes. If your tow is the result of an accident, your insurance policy likely covers towing. We provide the documentation your insurer needs and can bill many insurance carriers directly (AAA, Geico, State Farm, Progressive, Allstate, Farmers, USAA). Ask our dispatcher when you call.
Yes. RJ Towing is a licensed, insured towing operator based at 2881 G St, San Diego, CA 92102. We carry commercial liability insurance and our drivers are trained and certified.
One call to RJ Towing covers more than a single service. If your situation includes any of these, we handle it on the same dispatch.
Zero-wheel-contact transport for Teslas, luxury, AWD, lowered, and classic vehicles.
Learn MoreCompassionate post-collision recovery with insurance documentation and coordination.
Learn MoreJumpstart, lockout, flat tire, and fuel delivery, one call covers everything.
Learn MoreDead battery? Professional surge-protected jump start with battery + alternator test.
Learn MoreWe change your spare on-site or tow you to a tire shop if you don't have one.
Learn MoreBinational towing between San Diego and Tijuana with dedicated (664) line and border logistics.
Learn MoreRJ Towing provides emergency towing to every neighborhood and city in San Diego County. Response times below are from our base at 2881 G St, San Diego.
Freeways We Cover Daily
I-5 · I-8 · I-15 · I-805 · SR-163 · SR-94 · SR-52 · SR-54 · SR-125 · SR-75 · SR-56 · SR-905
Cross-Border Service, The Only One in San Diego
Tijuana Direct Line: (664) 801-9382
You call (619) 872-5285 and a real person answers in English or Spanish. You tell us where you are and what happened. We dispatch the closest truck. You get a specific ETA. The truck arrives, your vehicle is loaded safely, and you tell us where to take it. That is it. No runaround, no waiting on hold, no mystery about what it costs.
Whether you are a nurse finishing a double shift with a dead car on I-15, a college student with a blown tire near SDSU, or a family stranded on I-8 with kids in the back seat, we show up fast and get you safe.
Real person answers. Price in two minutes. Truck dispatched immediately.
¿Necesitas una grúa de emergencia? Llámanos al (619) 872-5285 , servicio completamente bilingüe, las 24 horas del día, los 365 días del año. Línea directa en Tijuana: (664) 801-9382.
Servicio en Tijuana: (664) 801-9382