How many free miles of towing does AAA give you?
AAA tow distances depend on your membership level, ranging from 5 to 200 miles per service call.
Towing Distances by Membership Level
- AAA Classic (or Basic): Covers towing up to 5 to 7 miles (depending on your specific region) to a destination of your choice, or an unlimited distance back to the responding AAA-approved repair facility. It includes up to 4 calls per year.
- AAA Plus: Covers towing up to 100 miles per call, up to 4 times a year, to a destination of your choice.
- AAA Premier: Covers towing up to 100 miles for up to 4 calls per year, plus one extended tow up to 200 miles per household per year.
What Happens If You Exceed the Limit?
If you need your car towed further than your plan's limit, AAA will still complete the tow, but you must pay out-of-pocket for the extra mileage at a per-mile discounted member rate.
How much does AAA charge to tow 100 miles?
The cost for AAA to tow your vehicle 100 miles depends entirely on your membership tier.
- AAA Plus / Plus RV: $0. A 100-mile tow per service call is completely covered under this tier.
- AAA Premier: $0. It covers one tow up to 200 miles per year, and subsequent tows up to 100 miles.
- AAA Classic (Basic): $380 to $665+. This plan only covers the first 3 to 7 miles for free (depending on your local club). You must pay an out-of-pocket overage fee for the remaining 93 to 97 miles.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Breakdown for Classic Members
If you hold a AAA Classic Membership, regional overage fees typically range from $4 to $7 per mile, though high-cost regions (like California) can charge up to $10 to $15 per mile.
| Overage Rate per Mile | Estimated Cost for ~95 Excess Miles |
|---|---|
| $4.00 / mile (Low-end average) | $380 |
| $5.80 / mile (National average) | $551 |
| $7.00 / mile (High-end average) | $665 |
| $10.00+ / mile (Metro areas / Select states) | $950+ |
⚠️ Important Considerations
- Immediate Upgrades: If you currently have a Classic membership and need a 100-mile tow today, you usually cannot upgrade on the spot to avoid the fee. Higher-tier towing benefits generally carry a 7-calendar-day waiting period before they become active.
- Non-Members: If you do not have a membership at all, calling AAA for immediate roadside dispatch often incurs a $75 same-day service fee on top of retail commercial towing rates, which average $5–$10 per mile plus hookup fees.
What if my AAA tow is more than 5 miles?
If your AAA tow is more than 5 miles and you have a Classic membership, you will pay a discounted per-mile fee for every mile past the 5-mile limit.
What Happens With Extra Miles
- Classic Plan Limit: Covers the first 5 miles for free (or up to 40 miles if towed directly to a AAA Tire & Auto Center).
- Overage Cost: You pay an extra fee per additional mile, typically ranging from $5 to $15 per mile depending on your specific regional club and location.
- Payment: You pay the tow truck driver directly for the extra mileage at the end of the trip.
Alternative Membership Options
- AAA Plus: Covers up to 100 miles per tow.
- AAA Premier: Covers up to 100 miles for most tows, plus one extended tow up to 200 miles per household each year.
- Upgrading: You can often upgrade your membership level over the phone or online before or during a service call if you anticipate a long distance, though some club benefits have a brief waiting period or same-day upgrade fee.
Is AAA towing worth it?
AAA roadside assistance and towing is worth it if you drive an older car, take long road trips, or want roadside help that does not risk raising your auto insurance rates.
Cost and Coverage Tiers
- Classic Plan: Costs roughly $50 to $77 per year, covering basic services and short towing distances (typically 5 to 7 miles) up to 4 times a year.
- Plus / Premier Plans: Cost higher annually but extend towing ranges significantly—up to 100 miles for Plus and up to 200 miles for Premier.
- Core Services: Includes tows, flat tire changes, battery jumps, emergency fuel delivery, and lockout assistance.
Pros of AAA
- No Insurance Impact: Using AAA does not count as an insurance claim, unlike roadside add-ons through auto insurers which can raise your premiums or trigger policy reviews.
- Covers the Person, Not Just the Car: Coverage follows you whether you are the driver or a passenger in any eligible vehicle.
- Extra Perks: Members get travel planning, identity theft resources, and shopping/hotel/restaurant discounts that can offset the membership fee.
Cons and Limitations
- Wait Times: As noted on Reddit, users frequently criticize AAA for long wait times during peak demand because regional dispatch relies on independent contractors.
- Cheaper Alternatives Exist: Many auto insurance policies offer roadside add-ons for a fraction of the cost ($3 to $5 a month), though usually with much shorter tow limits (5 to 15 miles).
- Not Ideal for RVs: Specialized or heavy motorhomes face strict caps and reimbursement hurdles through standard AAA regional clubs.
How many free miles do I get with AAA?
Free towing miles with AAA Roadside Assistance range from 3 to 200 miles depending on your membership tier.
Towing Limits by Tier
- Classic (or Basic): Covers up to 5 to 7 miles of free towing per call (or up to 40 miles if towed directly to a AAA Tire & Auto Center) for up to 4 calls per year.
- Plus: Covers up to 100 miles of free towing per call for up to 4 calls per year.
- Premier: Covers up to 100 miles of free towing on up to 4 calls, plus one extended tow up to 200 miles per household per year.
Any extra distance beyond these limits is charged at a discounted per-mile rate.
AAA Membership Levels Breakdown: Which One is for You?
9 related questions found
How far will AAA tow you for free?
AAA towing distance depends on your specific membership tier and local club region.
Towing Distances by Tier
- Classic (or Basic): Covers up to 3 to 7 miles (depending on your local region) or towing back to the servicing facility at no extra charge.
- Plus: Covers up to 100 miles per service call.
- Premier: Covers up to 100 miles for most calls, but allows one tow up to 200 miles per household each membership year.
Important Rules to Know
- Extra Mileage: If your tow goes past your plan's limit, you must pay a discounted per-mile fee for the remaining distance.
- Call Limits: Most plans include up to four or five roadside service calls per year.
- Tied to the Member: Coverage travels with you whether you drive or ride as a passenger in any vehicle.
You can check more details or upgrade your coverage via the AAA Club Alliance or your regional AAA Roadside Assistance portal.
What happens if you use all your AAA tows?
You can still use AAA for towing after using your allotted calls, but you will have to pay a discounted special member rate for the extra service.
💡 What Happens When You Run Out
- Extra calls: Allowed at a special member rate.
- Phone requests only: Must call by phone; mobile app requests are blocked.
- Cost comparison: Rates are usually lower than regular commercial tow truck fees.
⚠️ Important Rules to Keep in Mind
- Shared limits: Service calls cover all roadside help, including jumps and flat tires, not just tows.
- One tow per breakdown: You cannot "chain" multiple free tows together for a single mechanical issue.
- Overage fees: Exceeding your plan's free mileage limit triggers extra per-mile charges.
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.
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.
Is there a senior rate for AAA?
AAA does not offer a standard senior or AARP-style discount on its membership dues.
Membership and Discounts
- No Senior Rate: Membership pricing (such as Classic, Plus, or Premier tiers) remains the same regardless of your age.
- Local Variations: Regional AAA motor clubs operate independently and occasionally offer local promotions or specialized regional offers, though national discounts do not exist.
- General Savings: Seniors can still use standard member benefits like travel, hotel, dining, and car rental discounts, as well as defensive driving course discounts on auto insurance (which are often available to mature drivers depending on state guidelines).