How much towing distance does AAA cover?
AAA towing distance depends on your AAA Membership tier, ranging from 5 to 200 miles per service call.
Towing Distances by Membership Level
- Classic (Basic): Covers up to 5 miles (or up to 40 miles to a AAA Tire & Auto Center) for free, up to 4 times per year.
- Plus: Covers up to 100 miles per tow, up to 4 times per year.
- Premier: Covers up to 100 miles for most tows, with one tow per household extended up to 200 miles per year (up to 5 service calls total per member).
If your tow goes beyond these mileage limits, AAA can still transport your vehicle, but you will pay a discounted per-mile fee for the extra distance.
Will AAA tow me 200 miles away?
Yes, AAA can tow you 200 miles, but only if you have a Premier membership, which includes one 200-mile tow per household each membership year.
Towing Distances by Membership Level
- Classic: Covers up to 5 miles (or 40 miles to a AAA Tire & Auto Center).
- Plus: Covers up to 100 miles per tow.
- Premier: Covers up to 100 miles for most tows, with one tow per household allowed up to 200 miles per year.
What Happens if You Exceed the Limit?
- AAA will still tow your car past your plan's maximum distance.
- You must pay an out-of-pocket, member-discounted per-mile fee for every mile that goes over your plan's limit.
- As noted in a discussion on Reddit, AAA does not allow "piggybacking" (using multiple consecutive tows for a single breakdown) to cover extra distance.
How many free miles of towing does AAA give you?
AAA gives you between 3 and 7 miles of free towing on the basic Classic Membership, or up to 100 to 200 miles on upgraded plans.
Towing Miles by Membership Level
- Classic / Basic: Covers 3 to 7 miles (or unlimited back to the specific facility providing the tow, or up to 40 miles to a AAA Tire & Auto Center) per call, up to 4 times a year.
- Plus: Covers up to 100 miles per call, up to 4 times a year.
- Premier: Covers up to 100 miles for most calls (up to 5 calls total per member), with 1 tow per household extended up to 200 miles per year.
If your tow goes past these limits, you pay a discounted rate for every extra mile.
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.
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.
AAA's 3-mile towing limit costs $180 — why you are wasting your MONEY.
What's the farthest tow AAA can do?
AAA can tow a vehicle up to 200 miles for free under its AAA Premier tier, which allows one tow of up to 200 miles per household each year.
Towing Distance Limits by Membership Level
- Classic / Basic: Covers up to 5 miles (or 40 miles to a official AAA Tire & Auto Center) per call, up to 4 times a year.
- Plus: Covers up to 100 miles per call, up to 4 times a year.
- Premier: Covers up to 100 miles for most calls, with one extended tow of up to 200 miles per household annually.
Towing Beyond Your Limit
If your breakdown location exceeds your plan's maximum included distance, AAA will still complete the tow. However, you must pay an out-of-pocket per-mile fee (typically ranging from $3 to $7+ per mile) for every mile past your plan's coverage limit. AAA does not permit chaining or "piggybacking" multiple shorter tows for a single breakdown.
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.
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.
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.