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⚡ Plugs in under 2 minutes. No tools, no shop visit.
Easy GPS Tracking in Washington for Cars, Trucks and Small Fleets
Plug it into your car or work van, open the app, and see where it is from anywhere in Washington, from Capitol Hill to Georgetown. No wiring, no shop visit, no contract.
- Updates every 5 seconds
- No contract
- 30-day money-back
Quick answer: D.C. police counted 3,945 stolen vehicles in 2025. A plug-in OBD-II tracker shows your car or van live on your phone and alerts you the moment it moves, so you can tell police exactly where it is.
Choose your tracker
Two trackers, one app
One-time hardware price. Both show up on the same map.
ShadowAuto
$69.90+ plans from $12/mo · No contract
- Plugs into the OBD-II port. Never needs charging.
- Car Alarm alerts you if it moves while parked.
- Engine codes and unplug alerts.
ShadowTrack
$69.90+ plans from $12/mo · No contract
- Battery-powered. Runs for weeks on a charge.
- No OBD-II port needed: trailers, mowers, boats.
- Add the weatherproof magnetic case.
Washington theft data
Car theft in Washington by the numbers
3,945 stolen in 2025 was 23% fewer than in 2024, and 2026 is running lower still. The Washington metro still ranked eighth in the U.S. in 2025.
3,945
vehicles stolen in D.C. in 2025 (MPD)
15,204
stolen in the Washington metro in 2025, 8th in the U.S. (NICB)
40%
fewer MPD vehicle thefts in 2026 through Nov. 6 vs 2025
#1
most stolen in D.C. in 2024: Hyundai Elantra (NICB)
- Elantras lead. NICB counted 643 Hyundai Elantras stolen in D.C. in 2024, more than any other model.
- Two years of declines. MPD counted 5,134 stolen vehicles in 2024, 3,945 in 2025 and 2,105 in 2026 through November 6.
- A tracker is the backup. Lock it, take the keys, and use GPS so you know where it went. What to do if it's stolen.
Who it's for
Built for how Washington drives
Trades & work vans
Contractor and delivery vans on crowded city streets. See every vehicle on one map, and get an alert if one moves after hours.
For business →Turo hosts near DCA & Dulles
Know your car is where the renter said, with trip history for any dispute. Set a geofence around the airport lot.
For Turo hosts →Families on the Beltway & I-295
Get an alert when your new driver gets to school, practice or home, and see each trip in the app.
Family guide →
How it works
Tracking in 3 easy steps
1
Plug it in
Plug ShadowAuto into the port under your dash. Every car and light truck since 1996 has one.
Is GPS tracking legal in Washington? Yes, on vehicles you own, or with the owner's consent. D.C. has no tracker-specific law, but using a GPS device to follow or monitor someone on two or more occasions can be charged as stalking under D.C. Code 22-3133.
Pricing
Simple pricing, no contract
$69.90 per tracker, one time. Then a plan per tracker, per month. Cancel any time.
| Trackers | Monthly | Quarterly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | $15/mo | $13/mo | $12/mo |
| 4+ (bulk order) | $13/mo | $11/mo | $10/mo |
Around town
Works across Washington
Runs on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile LTE-M networks, anywhere you have cell signal.
Capitol Hill
Rowhouse blocks and street parking. Arm Car Alarm overnight.
Navy Yard
Game days at Nationals Park. Share Location to find the car after.
Georgetown
Tight streets and garages. Movement alerts while parked.
Reagan National Airport
Long trips out of DCA. Check the car from your gate.
Union Station
Garage parking for train trips. The map keeps the last location underground.
Northeast & Ivy City
Work vans near warehouses. Geofence the yard after hours.
Reviews
What our customers say
Rated 4.5 out of 5 across 205 reviews of ShadowAuto and ShadowTrack.
★★★★★
Perfect for peace of mind
"I bought this for my teenage daughter who just started driving. Setup was literally plug and play, took 2 minutes. The app is super intuitive too."
Sarah M. · Parent · ShadowAuto
★★★★★
Exactly what I needed for my fleet
"I run a small delivery business with 6 vans. Plugged it into each van, downloaded the app, and within minutes I could see all my vehicles on one dashboard."
Michael T. · Small business · ShadowAuto
★★★★★
Small business must-have
"The magnetic mount lets me move it between vehicles easily, and the tracking is always accurate. A fantastic investment for any small business."
Robert C. · Small fleet · ShadowTrack
FAQ
Common questions
Is it hard to set up?
No. ShadowAuto plugs into the OBD-II port under your dash in under 2 minutes, with no tools or wiring. ShadowTrack sits in a magnetic case.
Is there a monthly fee?
Yes. Live tracking uses a cell connection, so plans run $10 to $15 per tracker per month. No contract. Cancel any time.
Does it need a SIM card?
No. The connection is built in and covered by your plan.
Is GPS tracking legal in Washington, DC?
Yes, on vehicles you own, or with the owner's consent. D.C. has no tracker-specific law, but its stalking law (D.C. Code 22-3133) covers using a GPS device to follow or monitor someone, with up to 12 months in jail for a first offense.
Can I check my car at Reagan National or Dulles while I travel?
Yes. Open the app from your gate to see the car live, and set a geofence around the parking lot so you get an alert if it leaves.
Does it work in downtown D.C. parking garages?
Usually. Underground and thick concrete garages can weaken GPS and cell signal, so the map may show the last location until the car is back on the street.
What should I do if my car is stolen in D.C.?
Call the Metropolitan Police Department first and give them the live location from the app. Don't try to recover the car yourself.
How fast does it update?
Every 5 seconds while your car or truck is moving.
How do I order 4 or more trackers?
Bulk orders of 4 or more go through our team. Contact us and we'll set up the account and the 4+ rate.
More GPS tracking near Washington
Plug it in today. Track it in 2 minutes, anywhere in Washington.
Ordering 4 or more for your Washington business? Our team will set it up for you.
Sources
- MPD: year-to-date and 2025 year-end crime data (motor vehicle theft, 2024, 2025 and 2026 to Nov. 6)
- NICB: U.S. vehicle thefts experience historic decline (2025 metro area totals)
- FinanceBuzz: most stolen car in every state (NICB 2024 model data)
- D.C. Code 22-3132 (stalking definitions) ("any device" includes a global positioning system)
Also referenced: D.C. Code 22-3133 (stalking) and 22-3134 (penalties). Pricing current as of October 2026, in USD, per tracker. Some retailer links are affiliate links. Legal information is general and not legal advice; consult a D.C. attorney for your situation.