Where’s My Car?

Stay calm. First, confirm your car was towed (not stolen) by calling your city's non-emergency police line or 311. Next, find the impound lot using TowFinder USA or the number the police give you. Then gather your documents: valid ID, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. Head to the lot to pay the fees and retrieve your car as soon as possible. Daily storage fees add up quickly.

Use the free TowFinder USA lookup tool above. Enter your license plate, state, and the location where you parked. The tool searches tow databases and shows the impound lot name, phone number, and address. You can also call your city's non-emergency police line (311 in most cities) or check your city's online tow lookup portal.

You can find your towed vehicle by license plate for free using TowFinder USA's search tool at mycartowed.com. Enter your plate number, its state, and where you parked to locate which impound lot has your car. The search is free and covers over 100 cities across all 50 states.

Call your city's non-emergency police number or 311. If police ordered the tow, they will have a record. Check for posted tow-away signs where you parked. If no tow record exists, file a stolen vehicle report immediately. You can also search the TowFinder USA database for your plate to check whether a tow company logged your vehicle.

The process in your city is similar to anywhere in the U.S. Call the local police non-emergency line to confirm the tow, get the impound lot info, gather your ID, registration, and insurance, then go pay the fees. Use TowFinder USA to instantly find the tow company for over 100 U.S. cities. Just enter your plate and location above.

The fastest method is the TowFinder USA tool at the top of this page. Enter your plate and location, and you will see the tow company's phone number and address in seconds. Call the lot immediately to confirm they have your car, ask about fees and accepted payment methods, then head there with your documents.

You will need a valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license or passport), your vehicle registration card, proof of current auto insurance, and payment for towing and storage fees (cash, debit, or credit). Payment options vary by lot. If you are not the registered owner, you will typically also need a notarized authorization letter from the owner.

Nationally, expect to pay $150 to $350 for the initial tow fee, plus $25 to $75 per day in storage fees, plus a possible $50 to $150 administrative or gate fee. Total cost on Day 1 is typically $200 to $500. Fees increase every 24 hours, so retrieving your car the same day saves you hundreds. Rates vary by city and state. Always call the lot to confirm exact costs.

Yes. Federal and most state laws allow you to retrieve personal belongings from an impounded vehicle without paying the full tow and storage fees. You will still need to show valid ID and may need to pay a small access fee ($15 to $25). Call the lot first to confirm their personal property release hours and policy.

Bring valid photo ID, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and payment (cash and card, since some lots are cash-only). Some cities also require outstanding parking tickets to be paid first. If you are picking up for someone else, also bring a notarized authorization letter and a copy of the owner's ID.

Many large-city impound lots are open 24/7, but most private tow company lots have limited hours, typically 8 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday with reduced weekend hours. Always call ahead before driving to the lot. TowFinder USA listings include operating hours when available.

It depends on the state. Most states allow auction after 30 to 90 days in impound. Some states move faster: California allows lien sale after 30 days, Texas after 20 days for certain vehicles, and Florida after 35 days. You will typically receive a certified letter before auction. Act quickly. Retrieving your car early avoids losing it permanently.