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.
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 |
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.
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.