How much should it cost to unlock a locked car? During normal business hours, a conventional automobile lockout usually costs between $50 and $150; however, after-hours emergencies, holidays, or premium models may increase the cost to $250 or more.
At Redline Roadside & Towing LLC, we frequently handle these situations across the West Valley, where total costs are heavily influenced by the vehicle’s locking mechanism, time of day, and travel distance. In order to avoid predatory bait-and-switch pricing and the necessity for expensive auto repairs brought on by do-it-yourself projects, it is important to get a solid upfront price.
What a Fair Car Lockout Cost Looks Like
Here is the quick answer on how much it costs to unlock a car. Three sources put a standard daytime unlock between $65 and $150. Prices checked September 2026.
| Situation | Typical price | What to know |
| Standard car, daytime | $65 to $150 | Thumbtack cites a $65 flat rate. J.D. Power lists $70 to $150. |
| Night or holiday | $100 to $180 | Expect a premium. Get one flat quote first. |
| Luxury or high-security car | $110 to $180 | Harder locks take more time and skill. |
| Keys in the trunk | From $95 | Trunk jobs often cost a bit more. |
| Long distance or rural | Base price plus a travel fee | Ask if the fee is flat or by the mile. |
| Red flag | Under $40, or over $250 with no reason | Our rule of thumb. Ask why before you agree. |
Our own average lockout job runs $80 to $200. Every shop differs, so always ask for the full price up front.
So how much does a locksmith charge to unlock a car? It depends on the pricing style. Some locksmiths quote one flat rate. Others add a service call fee, then charge for labor. Flat rates are easier to compare. Thumbtack notes that after-hours calls, long trips, and harsh weather can raise the price.
What Factors Affect Car Lockout Cost?
Five things move the price. You can control some of them.
Vehicle Make, Model, and Year
Newer cars with strong security systems take more work. J.D. Power says Volvo doors are very hard to open without the right key, and some may need a maker’s technician. Ford and Hyundai models are easier. Doors also hide side airbags and sensors, so a careful hand matters.
Time of Day
Daytime calls cost the least. Nights, weekends, and holidays cost more because fewer locksmiths work then. J.D. Power says night help usually carries a premium. Emergency service can add to the bill too. Ask if the price is flat or hourly.
Location and Travel Distance
A short drive inside Phoenix, Avondale, Tolleson, or Laveen adds little. A far dispatch adds a travel fee, and some shops bill by mileage. Bad weather can raise the price as well. Ask where the truck starts.
Type and Complexity of the Lock
A traditional key lock is the simplest job. Keyless entry and smart keys need other tools. High-security cars land at the top of the range, around $110 to $180.
What You Actually Need
The job matters as much as the car. Here is how the work differs:
- Unlock only: the cheapest job, and the one most drivers need.
- Lost key: the locksmith gets you in, then cuts a new key.
- Broken key: the locksmith pulls the broken piece out first. This is called key extraction.
- Replacement key: a transponder key or key fob costs more than a plain metal key.
- Key programming: newer cars need the new key matched to the car.
How Much Does It Cost to Unlock a Car Door, Trunk, or Push-Start Car?
A car door costs $70 to $150 to open, based on J.D. Power. Keys locked in the trunk start near $95. Push-to-start and smart-key cars sit at the higher end, since the locksmith needs special tools.
A lockout becomes a lost-key job when the keys are gone, not just inside. Then the price changes. J.D. Power lists key copies at $30 to $50 and a rekey at $50 to $100. It puts an ignition rekey near $100 and a door lock replacement at $300 to $600. Those figures date from 2022, so ask for a fresh quote. Smart keys and fobs cost more than these numbers.
A spare key kept at home is the cheapest fix of all.
Who Can Unlock Your Car, and What Each Option Costs
You have more choices than a locksmith. Here is how they stack up.
| Option | Cost | Wait time | Best for |
| Mobile locksmith | $70 to $150 | Often under an hour | Most lockouts, any hour |
| Roadside membership (AAA) | Included with your plan | Varies by area | Members with calls left |
| Roadside plan through your car maker or credit card | Often $0 | Varies | Drivers with a plan they forgot about |
| Car maker app or OnStar-type remote unlock | Free or a small plan fee | Minutes | Cars with a working app and signal |
| Dealership | Usually the highest | Hours, and maybe a tow | Rare keys the locksmith can’t cut |
| Tow company | Tow fee plus unlock | Varies | Locks that won’t open on site |
| Police or fire | Free | Fast in a true emergency | A child or pet inside |
Police help in danger, not in normal lockouts. Read our guide, Can Police Unlock Your Car, to see when they will step in.
Locked out right now? Redline Roadside & Towing LLC offers fast Lockout Service across the West Valley.
How to Pay Less for a Car Lockout
Start with what you already own. Check your car maker’s app, your credit card perks, and your AAA card. Any of them may cover the call.
Try your spare key next. If someone can bring it, you pay nothing. Otherwise, call two or three locksmiths and compare quotes. You can wait for daylight to save money, but only if you’re safe and the weather is mild.
Skip the DIY tricks. A slim jim slides down the window and can hit airbag wiring and door sensors, warns J.D. Power. Prying with a coat hanger can tear the weather stripping. Rhinox says a broken window can cost about $400, while a locksmith unlock runs around $90. A trained locksmith uses a wedge and long-reach tool, and the door comes out fine.
How to Spot a Lockout Scam Before You Pay
Bait prices are the biggest sign. Ads that promise $15 or $25 rarely cover the real job. The price jumps once the truck arrives.
Other red flags include:
- A driver with no ID and an unmarked vehicle
- A demand for cash only
- A new, higher price after work starts
Ask these four things before you book:
- What is the total price, with travel and tax?
- How long until you arrive?
- Are you licensed and insured?
- Will you check my ID and registration?
A real locksmith asks for proof of ownership. That protects you and the car.
Locked Out With a Child or Pet Inside? Call 911 First
If a child or pet is locked inside a vehicle, call 911 immediately instead of waiting for a locksmith. According to the NHTSA, a child’s body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s, and fatal heatstroke can occur in temperatures as low as 57 degrees Fahrenheit, even with a window cracked.
In hot desert areas like Phoenix, Avondale, Tolleson, and Laveen, internal temperatures skyrocket by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. To prevent tragedy, always check the back seat before walking away, keep keys out of children’s reach, and leave a visual cue like your phone or wallet in the back seat to ensure you never forget.
Conclusion
So how much should it cost to unlock a locked car? Plan on $50 to $150 for a standard car in daytime, and up to $180 for night calls or luxury models. Ask for the full price first, check the coverage you already have, and walk away from bait prices.
Need help now? Contact us now and get back in your car fast.
FAQs
How much should it cost to unlock a locked car at night?
Expect the upper end of the range, often $100 to $180. Sources say night help carries a premium over daytime calls. Ask for one flat price before the locksmith leaves. If the quote grows on arrival, you can say no.
Will a locksmith damage my car?
A trained locksmith opens the door without harm. They use a wedge and long-reach tool or pick the door lock. Damage risk rises with DIY tricks like a slim jim, which can hit airbag wiring and sensors. Ask if the shop is insured.
How long does it take?
Phoenix-area locksmith sites report arrival times of 15 to 30 minutes. Your wait depends on distance, time of day, and demand. The unlock itself is usually quick. Ask for an honest arrival time when you call.
Can police unlock my car for free?
Police open cars in true emergencies, like a child or pet inside. They usually do not help with a normal lockout, and they may call a locksmith anyway. For a normal lockout, call a locksmith or your roadside plan.
Is breaking a window cheaper?
No. J.D. Power warns that door mistakes can cost more than hiring a pro. Rhinox puts a broken window near $400 versus about $90 for an unlock. Glass, labor, and a wait for a shop add up fast. Call a locksmith first.
What if my keys are lost, not just locked in?
Tell the locksmith up front. Getting in is one job, and a new key is another. J.D. Power lists copies at $30 to $50, and smart keys cost more. Many locksmiths can cut and program a key on site, which saves a tow to the dealer.