AAA vs Non-AAA Tow Truck Costs in Chicago: What You'll Actually Pay

Quick Answer: AAA Basic members get free towing up to 3 miles, then pay $4-6 per additional mile. Non-AAA towing in Chicago runs $125-200 for hookup plus $3-5 per mile. AAA Plus covers 100 miles free. For distances over 10 miles, AAA membership pays for itself immediately.

What To Do

1. Check your AAA membership level first

   • Basic: 3 free miles
   • Plus: 100 free miles
   • Premier: 200 free miles

2. Call AAA if you’re a member

   • Dial 1-800-AAA-HELP
   • Use the AAA mobile app for faster service
   • Average wait time: 45-90 minutes in Chicago
   • During winter storms or rush hour, expect waits on the longer end of that range. Log the request in the app even if you also call, as it timestamps your request and can speed dispatch.

3. For non-AAA emergency towing, call these Chicago operators

   • Chicago Towing: (773) 224-1100
   • Millennium Towing: (312) 666-8697
   • Always ask for total cost upfront before they hook up
   • If a truck shows up that you did not call, you are not obligated to use them. Predatory “bandit” towing does happen on Chicago expressways. Politely decline and wait for the company you contacted.

4. Get exact mileage to your destination

   • Use Google Maps for precise distance
   • Confirm drop-off location with dispatcher
   • Ask about storage fees if going to a shop. Many Chicago shops charge $35-75 per day starting after the first 24 hours. If it is a Friday night, that clock still runs over the weekend.
   • Specify a street address, not just “the dealer” or “my mechanic.” Miscommunication about the drop point can result in extra mileage charges or a second tow.

5. Know what kind of tow your car needs

   • All-wheel drive and 4WD vehicles must be flat-bedded, not dragged on a wheel-lift. Towing an AWD car on two wheels even a short distance can destroy the transfer case, a repair that runs $1,500-3,500.
   • Low-clearance or sports cars also need a flatbed to avoid scraping the front lip on the loading ramp.
   • Confirm the truck type when you book so the right equipment shows up the first time.

Photo: Pexels

What It Might Cost

AAA Members:

• Basic: Free up to 3 miles, then $4-6/mile
• Plus: Free up to 100 miles
• Premier: Free up to 200 miles
• Annual membership: $64-156 depending on level

Basic membership makes sense if you rarely drive far from home or work and just want a safety net for local breakdowns. Plus is the sweet spot for most Chicago drivers since it covers a tow to any shop in the metro area, or even out to the suburbs, at no extra cost. Premier is worth considering if you regularly drive to Wisconsin, Indiana, or downstate Illinois.

Non-AAA Chicago Rates:

• Hook-up fee: $125-200
• Per mile: $3-5
• After hours (6pm-6am): Add $25-50
• Weekend surcharge: Add $25-40

Note that the hook-up fee is charged the moment the truck arrives and your car goes on the lift, regardless of how far you travel. A 1-mile tow at midnight on a Saturday still costs you $150-240 before a single mile is billed.

Example scenarios:

• 5-mile tow: AAA Plus = $0, Non-AAA = $140-225
• 15-mile tow: AAA Plus = $0, Non-AAA = $170-275
• 30-mile tow: AAA Plus = $0, Non-AAA = $215-350

A single 15-mile non-AAA tow costs more than an entire year of AAA Plus membership in most cases. If you have had a tow in the last two years, you have almost certainly already spent more out of pocket than a year of Plus would have cost.

Check your existing coverage before paying out of pocket. Many comprehensive auto insurance policies include roadside assistance as a rider for $5-15 per year. Credit cards like Chase Sapphire and certain Visa Signature cards also include towing reimbursement up to $50-100 per incident. Call your insurer or card issuer before the truck hooks up, because reimbursement claims submitted after the fact are sometimes denied if you did not use their preferred dispatch number.

Photo: Pexels

Common Questions

Q: Can I use AAA if my car is registered in someone else’s name? A: AAA membership covers the member, not the vehicle. If you are a AAA member and you break down in a borrowed or rented car, you are still covered. If the car owner is the member but you are driving, you are not covered unless you are also a member.

Q: What happens if my car needs to go farther than my AAA mileage allowance? A: You pay the per-mile overage rate for the distance beyond your covered limit. Basic members pay $4-6 per mile after mile 3. If you know you need a long tow and you only have Basic, it is worth calling AAA to upgrade your membership before dispatch since the upgrade takes effect after a short waiting period, though policies on same-day upgrades vary by region.

Q: Do non-AAA tow trucks charge more on the expressway versus a city street? A: Some Chicago operators add an expressway response fee of $15-30 because drivers must travel farther to reach the next legal exit. Always ask specifically about this fee when you call, especially if you are stranded on I-90, I-94, or I-290.

Stay Safe

• Never agree to towing without getting the total cost in writing
• Verify the tow truck company name matches who you called
• Take photos of your car before it is hooked up
• Remove all valuables from your vehicle before towing
• Get a receipt with the driver’s name and truck number

Need roadside help? Visit Tow With The Flow for real answers when your car breaks down.