How much does car wash cost?

When your car gets dirty, you take it to a car wash. Easy-peasy, right? Not necessarily. Deciphering all the wash options—from automated drive-throughs to pricey detailing that “makes your car look new again”—can be challenging. How much pampering does your car really need? 

It depends on how long you want the fresh look to last. A basic gas station wash costs $10–20, while a deep inside-and-out cleaning and detailing—complete with engine wash and dent removal can run as high as $250. A solid handwashing falls between these two extremes, at an average $20–30.

Need help deciding? Read on for the pros, cons, and prices of keeping your car clean.

An automatic car wash—the cheapest and most basic service—uses a drive-through machine equipped with large cylindrical brushes, soap, and high-pressure hoses that spray your car from the outside as the vehicle rolls through on a conveyor system. Machine car washes are quick and easy, but can leave scratch marks on the car from the machine’s stiff cleaning bristles if done too often. In some cases, employees will hand-dry and wipe down the car with cloths when it emerges from the machinery.

Some “touchless” machine car washes rely on high-powered sprayers and strong detergents to clean the car instead of brushes, bristles, or cloth applicators. However, they’re not as effective as hand washes for attention to detail. Average cost: $10–20.

A hand car wash is kinder and gentler on your car. Performed manually, it typically involves a team of people soaping, scrubbing, rinsing, and drying your car with individual care and detail. Hand car washes also typically include an exterior wash as well as vacuuming and cleaning the interior of the vehicle. 

Though hand washes take longer than machine washes, they are preferred by some drivers because they won’t leave scratches, swirl marks, or water spots. Average cost: $20­–30.

The gold standard, full-service car washes and detailing make your car look almost as good as new, but cost more money and time than a simple wash. It can take a team of pros several hours (versus 15 minutes) to deep clean, refresh, and polish your car, inside and out. Experts recommend detailing your vehicle 3 times a year to extend its lifespan and improve resale value.

Full-service wash and basic car detailing service includes a wash, wax, interior vacuuming and polish (including trunk and other cargo spaces), window wash, mirror and trim cleaning, tire cleaning and protectant, and headlight polishing. Average cost: $50–100 for sedans; $75–125 for SUVs or vans.

Upgraded detailing package may include additional services including the use of premium cleaning products and special equipment—steam cleaners, carpet shampoo or leather upholstery cleaning, and high-quality wax. Some upgraded packages may also include dent removal and engine cleaning (with degreaser). Average cost: $100–200 for sedans; $150–250 for SUVs or vans.

To learn more, read How much does car detailing cost?

Want to avoid lines and crowds? You can have the car wash come to you. Mobile car washes offer many of the same services as a hand car wash, full-service, or detailing location—at up to double the price.

Average costs for mobile car wash services: 

Short of washing your car at home, self-service car washes are the cheapest option available. Most self-service car washes are coin-operated, with each coin or token turning the machines on for a set amount of time. 

Self-serve car washes are equipped with soapy brushes, high-pressure hoses, and settings to wash, soak, or rinse. There are also coin-operated vacuum hoses to clean the interior. This is a good option if you want to save money but don’t have a place at home to wash your car. Average cost: $7–15 per wash.

Here are some of the issues that add to the price of a car wash. 

Larger vehicles. Advertised prices usually refer to smaller cars. If you’re washing a van or SUV, it’ll cost more.

Add-on services. At machine or hand car washes, opting for additional services not included in the original price, such as waxing, tire shine, or undercarriage wash, can add $5–10 extra per service.

Tipping. It’s customary to tip at a hand car wash or full-service location. The amount depends on the work that was done, but a minimum of 10–15% will show your appreciation and help ensure the best service on your next visit. If an employee hand-dries your car at an automatic car wash, $2–3 is common.

Buy a subscription. Some machine and hand car washes offer monthly subscriptions for unlimited car washes, costing $15–30 per month, on average. At that rate, you’ve already saved money on 2 machine washes. 

Get a coupon. Many car washes offer discount coupons in local savings mailers, phone books, or online. Some will accept competitors’ coupons, or even give you one if you ask.

How much does it cost for someone to wash your car?

A full hand-washing of your vehicle typically costs $20–30, depending on the size of the car and any additional cleaning or treatments requested.

What does a basic car wash include?

A basic car wash will clean off dirt, salt, and debris from the surface of your car. This is most often done in an automatic car wash, in which your vehicle rolls through a machine equipped with large cylindrical brushes, soap, and high-pressure hoses. A basic car wash costs $10–20 and takes about 10 minutes.

Is it cheaper to wash your car at home or at a car wash?

You can purchase kits containing soap, microfiber cloths and sponges, wax, tire coating, interior cleaner, and glass cleaner, for $30­–80 on average. Most will last you 10-15 washes. Even counting water use, that’s less expensive than a commercial car wash—but you’ll be putting in your own time and effort.

Find a car wash in your area.