- Pickup in East Cambie, drop-off anywhere in BC.
- Flatbed by default, so the drivetrain does no work on the trip.
- Island tows ride the ferry with the truck.
- Winter tire and chain rules shape mountain routes from October 1.
- One price on the phone before we load, ferry included.
Long distance towing routes out of East Cambie
East Cambie sits right beside Highway 91, and that shapes almost every long trip we start. Heading east, Highway 91 crosses the Alex Fraser Bridge toward Delta and Surrey, which links up with the routes into the Fraser Valley and beyond. Heading south, Highway 99 runs through the George Massey Tunnel toward Tsawwassen and the ferry. Heading north, Highway 99 takes us into Vancouver.
The tunnel has scheduled overnight maintenance closures from time to time, with detours sent over the Alex Fraser Bridge. We check current conditions on DriveBC before a long tow leaves, so a closure changes the plan before it changes your arrival. Timing matters as much as the route. Leaving East Cambie in the middle of the day usually beats the bridge and tunnel rush, and for an Island run we work backward from the sailing. If you have a deadline at the other end, such as a shop closing time or a moving date, tell us when you book so we can plan around it honestly.
| Destination | Usual way out of Richmond | What we plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Fraser Valley | Highway 91 east over the Alex Fraser Bridge | Traffic timing at the bridge |
| BC Interior | East through the Fraser Valley, then the mountain highways | Winter tire and chain rules, weather |
| Vancouver Island | Highway 99 south to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal | Sailing times and vehicle space |
| Vancouver and the North Shore | Highway 99 north | Bridge traffic at peak hours |
Long distance towing to Vancouver Island by ferry
An Island tow is part road trip, part ferry booking. The usual crossing is Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, and before we commit to a time we check the route's current conditions on BC Ferries, which show sailing status, delays and how much vehicle space is left on upcoming sailings. A busy long weekend can fill sailings hours ahead, and we would rather tell you that up front.
Your vehicle stays on our flatbed for the crossing, strapped down the whole way. Ask about the ferry when you call, and we include it in the price we confirm on the phone. From Swartz Bay we carry on to the address you gave us, whether that is a shop in Victoria or a driveway up the Island.
If the car only needs to reach a Richmond shop before the trip, start with light duty towing instead, and book the long run once it is fixed or ready to ship.
Long distance towing over BC mountain passes in winter
Trips to the Interior change with the season. The province's winter tire and chain-up routes page says winter tires or chains are required on most BC routes from October 1 to April 30, with some highways outside mountain passes and high-snowfall areas ending on March 31. Many coastal areas, including much of the Lower Mainland, don't require them, which is why a tow that is easy in Richmond can need very different gear on the mountain highways.
We set the truck up for the tire and chain rules on the route, and we check the forecast and road events before we leave. If a pass is closed or the weather turns, we hold the vehicle safely and tell you, rather than push on.
This matters most for heavier loads. An RV tow or a trailer tow over a mountain highway in winter is planned around the weather window, not just the distance.
Which vehicles we take on a long distance tow
Almost anything we tow locally we can take a long way. Cars, crossovers and pickups go on a flatbed, so the drivetrain and tires do no work over hundreds of kilometres. That is the only way we move an EV or a Tesla, and it is the safe choice for any all-wheel-drive car.
Motorcycles ride upright and chocked, as on our motorcycle towing page. Classic cars, project cars and vehicles bought from a private seller often need a long tow too, sometimes to or from a buyer elsewhere in BC. A car with a dead battery or a slow leak can still travel a long way on a flatbed, so it does not need to be fixed before it moves. Tell us about anything unusual before the day: a lowered car, a roof box, a soft-top that leaks, or a load inside. For a vehicle going a long way, we also ask you to take out valuables and anything loose in the cabin.
- A car bought online and picked up from a California Pointe driveway.
- A student car going home to the Interior for the winter.
- A non-running car moving to a family member on the Island.
- A work truck from Crestwood going to a dealer outside the Lower Mainland.
Booking long distance towing from East Cambie
Give us the pickup address in East Cambie, the full destination address and the vehicle. Say whether it runs, rolls and steers, and whether anything is loaded in it. If the pickup is in a strata or a business yard, tell us how to get in. For pickups in particular pockets, see long distance towing in California Pointe or in Crestwood.
We confirm one price on the phone before the truck is dispatched. It depends on distance, the vehicle, the truck it needs and any ferry, and our guide on what a tow truck costs in East Cambie explains each piece. Someone needs to be at both ends, or leave clear instructions for where the keys go.
You can call us or send the trip details and we will reply with the plan. For everything else we do in the neighbourhood, start at our East Cambie towing homepage.