Do you have to pay for a tow if you have an AAA membership?
Towing is included at no extra charge with a AAA membership as long as the tow distance and number of service calls stay within your plan's limits.
When You Might Have to Pay Extra
You may have to pay out-of-pocket costs if your situation exceeds your membership tier limits:
- Exceeding Mileage Limits: If your tow goes past your plan's included mileage, you must pay a per-mile fee (often around $7.00 per additional mile) for the extra distance.
- Exceeding Yearly Service Calls: Classic and Plus members receive up to 4 service calls per year, while Premier members receive up to 5 calls per member. Additional calls cost a member-preferred rate.
- Same-Day or Waiting Period Restrictions: Joining AAA or upgrading your plan right when you break down can incur extra activation fees, or require a waiting period before enhanced towing benefits apply.
AAA Towing Limits by Membership Level
| Membership Level | Included Towing Distance | Allowance Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Classic / Basic | 5 to 7 miles (depending on your regional club) | Up to 4 calls per year |
| Plus | Up to 100 miles | Up to 4 calls per year |
| Premier | Up to 100 miles (plus one tow up to 200 miles per household) | Up to 5 calls per member |
How much does a tow cost if I have AAA?
A tow costs $0 out of pocket if the distance falls within your AAA membership tier's allowance and you have remaining service calls for the year. If you exceed the allowed mileage, you will be responsible for a per-mile overage fee at the time of service.
The exact cost depends entirely on your membership tier and how far you need to go:
| AAA Membership Tier | Included Towing Distance (per call) | Cost Past the Included Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Classic / Basic | 3 to 7 miles (typically 5 miles) | $4 to $7 per mile |
| Plus | Up to 100 miles | $4 to $7 per mile |
| Premier | One tow up to 200 miles per year; subsequent tows up to 100 miles | $4 to $7 per mile |
Important Fine Print to Keep in Mind
- Service Call Limits: Standard memberships grant you up to 4 roadside assistance calls per year. If you burn through all 4 calls, you will be charged a discounted member rate for any subsequent tows.
- Regional Differences: AAA operates as separate regional clubs, meaning the exact overage fee per mile varies depending on the local club providing the tow (for example, AAA The Auto Club Group charges $7 per mile).
- Specialty Vehicles: Standard plans only cover passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks. If you need a motorcycle, scooter, or RV towed, you generally must have an active Plus RV or Premier plan.
- Same-Day Sign-Ups: If you are not currently a member and try to sign up on the side of the road for immediate service, AAA usually levies an instant activation fee (often around $75) on top of the base membership fee.
How to get a free tow from AAA?
You can get a free tow from AAA if you have an active AAA Roadside Assistance membership or if you use their limited, holiday-specific Tow to Go program.
How to Request a Standard Tow (Members)
If you already have a membership, towing is included in your annual plan (up to 4 service calls per year), though free mileage limits vary by your tier (Classic covers 3–7 miles, Plus covers 100 miles, and Premier covers up to 200 miles for one tow and 100 miles for others).
- By Phone: Call 1-800-222-8794 (1-800-AAA-HELP).
- Online or App: Use the AAA Roadside Assistance Chat or open the Auto Club App to request a dispatch in under 4 minutes.
- Verification: Have your physical or virtual 16-digit AAA Membership Card and a valid photo ID ready for the driver to inspect upon arrival.
- Note: If you join AAA on the spot when you break down, you will typically have to pay an immediate activation fee plus the cost of the membership, and same-day service fees may apply.
How to Use "Tow to Go" (Impaired Drivers / Non-Members)
If you do not have a membership and need a safe ride because you have been drinking, AAA runs the Tow to Go program during major holidays (like Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's).
- Call the Hotline: Dial (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246.
- The Rules: It provides a confidential, free ride and a tow for you and your car within a 10-mile radius to a safe location.
- Eligibility: Available to both members and non-members as a last resort, but it is strictly limited to specific holiday windows.
How many free tows do you get with AAA membership?
You get up to four or five free roadside service calls per year with a AAA Membership, depending on your specific plan level.
Towing Limits by Membership Level
- Classic: Includes up to four service calls per year. Each tow is covered for up to 5 to 7 miles (depending on your regional club) or unlimited miles back to the facility providing the service.
- Plus: Includes up to four service calls per year. Each tow is covered for up to 100 miles.
- Premier: Includes up to five service calls per year per member. It covers up to 100 miles for most tows, plus one tow up to 200 miles per household each year.
Important Details
- Shared pool: Roadside calls apply to all services combined, including towing, flat tires, jump-starts, lockouts, and fuel delivery.
- Associate members: Additional household members on a plan may have a separate limit (usually up to two calls per year).
- Extra distance: If your tow goes past your plan's mileage limit, you pay a discounted rate for the remaining miles.
What vehicles will AAA not tow?
AAA will not tow commercial vehicles, unregistered or un-licensed vehicles, taxis, limousines, or specialized vehicles like RVs, motorcycles, or dual-wheel trucks unless you have a specific membership upgrade or rider.
Vehicles Excluded From Standard Towing
- Commercial vehicles: Work vans, delivery trucks, or vehicles with heavy commercial modifications (like ladder racks) are generally excluded on standard plans.
- Taxis and limousines: These fall under commercial passenger transport and are not eligible for standard roadside assistance.
- Unregistered or illegal vehicles: AAA will not service or move vehicles that are impounded, repossessed, involved in private-property evictions, or lack valid license plates/registration.
- RVs, motor homes, and motorcycles: Standard AAA Classic memberships do not cover these; you need a Plus, Premier, or specific RV/motorcycle rider tier.
- Dual-wheel vehicles: Dual-wheel trucks and recreational vehicles are excluded from certain services and tows unless specialized coverage is active.
Situations Where Towing Is Denied
Even for eligible passenger cars, AAA will refuse a tow if:
- It's a "convenience" or non-breakdown move: Moving an operable car for a vehicle purchase, sale, auction, car show, charitable donation, or relocation is prohibited.
- It involves impound or law enforcement: Transporting a car from an impound lot or after an illegal parking tow by police is not allowed.
- Safety or access issues: The vehicle is in an unsafe location (like deep off-road trails), inaccessible, or the tow risks severe damage to the car or truck.
AAA Membership Levels Breakdown: Which One is for You?
How far will AAA tow without charging?
AAA will tow your car between 5 and 200 miles without an extra charge, depending on your AAA Membership Levels.
Towing Distances by Tier
- Classic: Covers up to 5 miles (or up to 40 miles to a official AAA Tire & Auto Center), up to 4 times a year.
- Plus: Covers up to 100 miles, up to 4 times a year.
- Premier: Covers up to 100 miles on four calls, and includes one tow up to 200 miles per household each year.
Extra Miles
If your tow is longer than your plan allows, AAA will still tow your car. You must pay a discounted per-mile fee for the extra distance.
What is the downside of AAA?
Depending on the context, the downside of AAA can refer to the costs and limitations of an American Automobile Association membership or the severe health risks of a medical abdominal aortic aneurysm.
AAA Roadside Membership Downsides
- Higher Cost: An annual AAA membership typically costs between $40 and $120+, which is often more expensive than adding roadside assistance directly through a standard auto insurance policy.
- Short Towing Limits: The cheapest "Classic" membership tier usually only covers free towing for a very short distance, often just 3 to 5 miles.
- Service Call Caps: Memberships limit you to a set number of service calls per year, typically four.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (Medical AAA) Risks
- Silent Danger: A medical AAA is an abnormal swelling in the body's main belly artery that usually grows with no symptoms at all.
- High Fatality Rate: If the weakened artery wall ruptures, it causes massive internal bleeding that carries an 80% to 90% mortality rate.
Is AAA cheaper than roadside assistance?
No, AAA is generally more expensive than roadside assistance plans offered by standard auto insurance companies.
Cost Comparison
- Car Insurance Roadside Assistance: Typically costs between $5 and $20 per year (or about $1 to $4 a month) added directly to your policy.
- AAA Membership: Typically costs between $62 and $125+ per year, depending on your location and the tier you choose (Classic, Plus, or Premier).
Key Differences to Consider
While insurance is cheaper, the coverage works differently:
- Insurance coverage is tied to the car: It only covers the specific vehicle listed on your policy. If you drive multiple cars or ride in a friend's car, you are not covered.
- AAA coverage is tied to the person: Your membership follows you into any vehicle, whether you are driving or just a passenger. AAA also bundles extra perks like hotel, travel, and retail discounts.
- Insurance claims risk: As users on Reddit discuss, using your insurance roadside assistance too often can sometimes count as a claim or impact your policy rates. Using AAA does not affect your auto insurance rates.
Do you tip AAA tow truck drivers?
Tipping AAA tow truck drivers is not required or expected, but it is always appreciated if they provide great service.
Guidelines for Tipping
- No obligation: Drivers are paid by their company or through your membership fees, so you do not have to tip.
- Standard amounts: Many people give $5 to $10 for basic help like a jump-start or tire change.
- Larger amounts: You might give $15 to $20+ for difficult jobs, bad weather, long-distance towing, or extra-friendly service.
- No cash: As discussed by users on Grassroots Motorsports, many drivers now accept digital payments like Venmo or Cash App if you do not have paper money.
What is the cheapest roadside assist?
The cheapest roadside assistance is typically an add-on to your existing car insurance policy, costing between $12 and $20 per year.
Cheapest Providers
- USAA Car Insurance: Costs about $12 to $20 per year, though it is only available to military members and their families.
- Liberty Mutual Insurance: Costs about $12 to $20 per year as an optional policy add-on.
- GEICO Auto Insurance: Costs starting at roughly $14 per year.
- Nationwide Insurance: Costs between $23 and $42 per year depending on the specific tier.
Alternative Low-Cost Options
- Credit Cards: Premium or standard cards (like certain Chase or Amex cards) often include basic roadside dispatch for free, though you pay for the actual tow or service.
- Cell Phone Plans: Some major carriers like Verizon or T-Mobile offer low-cost or perk-based roadside add-ons.
- New Car Warranties: If your car is newer or certified pre-owned, check your manufacturer warranty—brands like Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota often include free roadside assistance for the first few years.