Quick Answer: Paying for a single tow out of pocket costs $75–$300. An annual roadside assistance plan costs $60–$130 and covers multiple tows plus jump starts, lockouts, and flat tires. If you drive more than occasionally, a plan wins financially after just one incident. The real question is whether you already have coverage through insurance or a credit card.
What To Do
- Audit your existing coverage before spending anything new. You may already be paying for roadside assistance through:
- Auto insurance policy (look for “roadside” or “emergency road service” on your declarations page)
- Credit card, call the number on the back and ask if roadside is included
- Vehicle manufacturer program (new car? check the glove box for coverage documents)
- Cell phone plan (some T-Mobile, Verizon plans include it)
- If you have no coverage, decide based on your situation:
- Drive an older car that occasionally has issues? Get a plan.
- Drive a new car rarely, mostly short local trips? Out-of-pocket may be fine.
- Road trip regularly, drive in winter, or live in a rural area? A plan is essential.
- Compare roadside plans by your biggest risk:
- Frequent long-distance driver: AAA Plus (100-mile tow coverage)
- Local driving only: AAA Basic, or a credit card roadside benefit
- Budget-conscious: Check if your insurer offers a roadside rider for $5–$15/year
- Factor in non-towing benefits. A jump start call through AAA costs nothing with membership. Out of pocket, a service call runs $50–$80. Lockouts and flat tire changes add up the same way.
A detail people miss on the insurance audit: roadside coverage on an auto policy is usually tied to the vehicle, not the person. If you have two cars but only added roadside to one, you are not covered when driving the other. Check each vehicle separately on your declarations page. Also worth knowing: filing a roadside claim with your insurer sometimes gets flagged the same as a small at-fault claim in some states, and can nudge your premium slightly. An independent AAA membership avoids that problem entirely.
On credit card coverage, the fine print matters. Most cards that include roadside assistance work as a dispatch service, meaning they call a provider for you but charge the service fee to your card at a discounted or flat rate, typically $50–$75 per call. That is not the same as free towing. Cards that genuinely cover the cost with no per-use fee are rarer, usually tied to premium travel cards with annual fees over $400. Read the benefits guide, not just the marketing summary.
What It Might Cost
Out-of-pocket towing (no coverage):
| Situation | Cost |
|---|---|
| Local tow (under 10 miles) | $75–$150 |
| Mid-distance tow (10–30 miles) | $150–$250 |
| Long-distance tow (50+ miles) | $300–$600 |
| Jump start (service call) | $50–$80 |
| Lockout service | $50–$100 |
Prices vary more than people expect based on location. Rural areas often cost more per mile because fewer providers operate there and wait times are longer. Urban areas have more competition but can charge a premium during peak hours or bad weather. A tow on a Friday night in a snowstorm will cost more than a Tuesday afternoon in good conditions.
Annual roadside assistance plans:
| Plan | Annual Cost | Towing Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| AAA Basic | $60–$80 | 5 miles free, 4 calls |
| AAA Plus | $100–$130 | 100 miles free, 4 calls |
| Better World Club Basic | $58–$72 | 5 miles free |
| Insurance roadside rider | $5–$15 | Varies by policy |
| Credit card roadside | $0 extra | Per-incident dispatch ~$50 |
Break-even math: AAA Basic at $75/year. If you use it once for a $120 tow, net cost is negative $45, you’re ahead. One jump start in addition covers two years of membership.
The AAA Plus tier is worth the extra $25–$50 per year if you ever drive more than 30 miles from home. A breakdown on a highway trip where your nearest dealership is 60 miles away will cost you $200–$400 out of pocket even with Basic, because you pay per mile beyond the free five miles. With Plus, that same tow costs you nothing.
Common Questions
Q: Does AAA cover me if I’m driving someone else’s car? A: Yes. AAA membership follows the person, not the vehicle. If you are the one stranded, AAA will respond regardless of whose car you are driving. The car’s owner is not covered unless they also have a membership.
Q: Can I sign up for AAA after my car already broke down and use it immediately? A: No. AAA has a waiting period, typically 24 hours for new members, before you can make a service call. You cannot sign up on the side of the road and get a free tow the same day. Get the membership before you need it.
Q: Is roadside assistance worth it if my car is fairly new and under warranty? A: Probably, but check what your manufacturer program actually covers first. Most new vehicle roadside programs last 3–5 years and cover towing to a franchised dealer only. If your nearest dealer is far away or you want flexibility in choosing your repair shop, an independent plan like AAA still has real value.
Stay Safe
- Roadside plans are only useful if you actually call them. Store the number in your phone now.
- AAA and most roadside apps (AAA, Allstate, Urgently) show real-time GPS tracking of your tow truck. Use this feature, it’s safer than stepping outside repeatedly to check.
- If your situation involves a collision, call your insurance company first, the process for accident towing is different from breakdown towing.
Need roadside help? Visit Tow With The Flow for real answers when your car breaks down.