Roadside assistance plans or calling a tow company
What AAA's tiers and other roadside plans cost a year, how far their tows go, and how that compares with the published price of a single tow.
On this page: 3 sections
A roadside plan is a yearly fee that covers some tows and roadside help. Calling a tow company yourself means paying for each tow. Here's what each costs, from the plans' own pages and published cost guides.
What the plans cost
| Plan | Published price |
|---|---|
| AAA's basic membership | $65 to $75 a year plus $15 to $20 to join, with a free tow of 3 to 5 miles; prices vary by club and ZIP code1-2 |
| AAA's higher tiers | $95 to $115 a year for tows up to 100 miles, $125 to $155 for tows up to 200 miles1-2 |
| Other plans | insurers' add-ons $5 to $79 a year; Allstate Roadside $75 to $111; Good Sam $49.953-4 |
Prices vary by club and ZIP code, so the two clubs above are examples.1-2 Check your own club's page for yours.
What one tow costs without a plan
How to compare
- Count the tows. A basic plan's yearly fee is in the range of one local tow, so it pays back if you'd need a tow most years.
- Check the distance. A basic AAA tow covers 3 to 5 miles, depending on the club, and the higher tiers cover 100 or 200 miles.
- Look at what you already have. Some car insurers sell roadside help as an add-on to a policy,3 so check yours before you buy a separate plan.
Without a plan, you can call a local company directly: every tow company on this site is listed with its own phone number. Ask for the price before the truck is sent.
Plan prices from AAA clubs, Allstate and Forbes Advisor; tow ranges from HomeGuide, TowingSites.com and TowingCosts.com, checked September 2026.