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How Much Does Roadside Assistance Cost in 2026?

Annual plans: $50–$200/year. Per-use towing without coverage: $75–$300+. One breakdown without coverage usually costs more than a full year of protection.

Updated Mar 2026Auto$12–$200/yr
Roadside Assistance Cost Comparison
Find the best plan based on how you drive and what you need
⚠️  Check if your manufacturer warranty or credit card already includes roadside assistance before buying a plan. Many premium credit cards (Chase Sapphire, Amex Platinum) include it for free.

Roadside Assistance Plans Compared

ProviderAnnual CostTow DistanceService CallsExtra Benefits
Insurance add-on$12–$36/yrNearest shopUnlimitedNone. May count as a claim with some insurers.
AAA Basic$56–$76/yr5 miles4/yearHotel, rental car, and retail discounts.
AAA Plus$100–$124/yr100 miles4/yearSame as Basic + longer tow. Most popular tier.
AAA Premier$134–$164/yr200 miles4/year1 free 200-mile tow/year. Best for road trips.
AARP Motor Club$52–$100/yr10–100 miles4/yearRequires AARP membership ($16/yr).
Better World Club$60–$90/yrUp to 100 mi4/yearEco-friendly alternative to AAA. Bicycle coverage.
Manufacturer warrantyFree (2–5 yrs)Nearest dealerUnlimitedIncluded with new car purchase.
Credit card benefitFreeVaries (25–50 mi typical)4/yearAmex Platinum, Chase Sapphire, etc.
No plan (per-use)$75–$300+ per callPay per mileN/A$75–$125 hook-up + $2–$7/mile.
How Costs Compare
11%
20%
28%
11%
12%
15%
Insurance add-on 3%
AAA Basic 11%
AAA Plus 20%
AAA Premier 28%
AARP Motor Club 11%
Better World Club 12%
No plan (per-use) 15%

Pro Tips for Roadside Assistance

Check what you already have before buying. Your car manufacturer warranty likely includes 2–5 years of free roadside. Many premium credit cards include it. Your auto insurance may already have it or offer it for $1–$3/month. You might be paying for something you already have.
Insurance add-on is cheapest but read the fine print. At $12–$36/year it is the best deal if you just need basic towing. But some insurers count roadside calls as claims, which could raise your premiums. GEICO, Progressive, and State Farm generally do not penalize for roadside claims, but verify with your insurer.
AAA Plus is the sweet spot for most drivers. The 100-mile towing radius covers almost any breakdown situation. Basic with its 5-mile limit is nearly useless in rural areas. Premier is only worth it if you frequently road trip through remote areas where you might need a 200-mile tow.
AAA membership covers you, not your car. Unlike insurance add-ons that cover a specific vehicle, AAA covers you as a person in any car — even as a passenger in someone else’s vehicle, rental cars, or borrowed cars. This is a significant advantage for households with multiple vehicles.
Older cars need better coverage. A 2-year-old car rarely breaks down. A 15-year-old car might need a tow once or twice a year. The math is clear: one tow without coverage ($150–$300) costs more than a full year of AAA Plus ($100–$124). Older vehicles should have comprehensive roadside coverage.
Download an app as backup. Honk, Urgent.ly, and Jerry offer on-demand towing at lower rates than calling a random tow company ($50–$100 for most tows). Even with a plan, having a backup app is useful if wait times are long or you are outside your plan’s service area.

What Roadside Assistance Actually Covers

Standard roadside assistance includes: towing to the nearest repair shop (distance varies by plan), flat tire change (using your spare), dead battery jump start, lockout service (if you lock your keys in the car), fuel delivery (you pay for the fuel, delivery is free), and winching out of a ditch or snow. Most plans do not cover the actual repair, just getting you to a shop. Some plans add trip interruption coverage (hotel and meal reimbursement if your car breaks down far from home), which is standard on AAA Plus and Premier but not on insurance add-ons.

When Roadside Assistance Is Not Worth It

If you drive a new car under warranty, your manufacturer coverage is probably sufficient. If you have a premium credit card, check if it includes roadside assistance (many do). If you are mechanically inclined, carry a jump starter ($50–$100 one-time purchase), fix-a-flat, and basic tools, you can handle most common breakdowns yourself. The main scenario where a paid plan makes clear sense is if you drive an older vehicle, drive long distances regularly, or have family members who would not be comfortable handling a breakdown on their own.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does AAA cost per year?▼
AAA Basic: $56–$76/year (5-mile towing). AAA Plus: $100–$124/year (100-mile towing, most popular). AAA Premier: $134–$164/year (200-mile towing). Add-on household members cost $25–$52/year each depending on tier. Prices vary by region. AAA also provides travel planning, hotel discounts (10–20% off), rental car discounts, and free DMV services in some states.
How much does AARP roadside assistance cost?▼
AARP roadside assistance through Allstate Motor Club starts at approximately $52/year for basic coverage with 10-mile towing, and $80–$100/year for extended coverage with up to 100-mile towing. You must be an AARP member ($16/year for individuals, $12/year for couples). Total cost including AARP membership: $68–$116/year. Similar services to AAA at a slightly lower price point.
Does my auto insurance include roadside assistance?▼
Most auto insurers offer roadside assistance as an optional add-on for $1–$3/month ($12–$36/year). It is not automatically included. Check your policy declarations page or call your insurer. If you add it, ask whether using it counts as a claim. GEICO, Progressive, and State Farm typically do not count roadside calls as claims. Some high-end policies include it automatically.
How much does a tow cost without coverage?▼
Without any roadside plan: $75–$125 hook-up fee plus $2–$7 per mile. A 10-mile tow costs $95–$195. A 50-mile tow costs $175–$475. After-hours surcharge adds 25–50%. Heavy-duty vehicles (trucks, SUVs) cost 30–50% more. Flatbed towing costs $10–$20 more than wheel-lift. One tow often exceeds the full annual cost of AAA Plus.
What credit cards include free roadside assistance?▼
Several premium credit cards include roadside assistance at no extra cost: Amex Platinum (up to $50/incident, 4/year), Chase Sapphire Reserve (towing, lockout, flat tire), Citi Prestige, and some Visa Signature cards. Coverage is typically limited to 4 service calls per year with towing up to 25–50 miles. Check your specific card benefits — this is one of the most overlooked credit card perks.
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📊 Data Sources
Pricing from AAA.com, AARP.com, major auto insurer rate filings, and Kelley Blue Book towing cost data. Updated March 2026. Methodology.