AAA membership costs between $56 and $132 per year, depending on which membership tier you choose and which regional AAA club you join

AAA offers three main membership levels: Basic, Plus, and Premier. Basic is the cheapest option and covers towing up to 7 miles. Plus covers up to 100 miles of towing and adds extra services like lockout information and fuel delivery. Premier is the most expensive and covers up to 200 miles of towing plus all the same extras as Plus.

The exact price you pay depends on which AAA club serves your state or region — AAA is a federation of regional clubs, not a single national organization. A Basic membership in one state might cost $56 annually, while the same tier in another state could be $70 or $75. You can find your regional club's current pricing on AAA's website by entering your zip code.

Most memberships renew automatically each year, and the renewal price may be higher than what you paid when you first joined. Some clubs offer discounts if you pay for multiple years upfront, and some offer lower rates if you sign up online rather than in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Basic AAA membership typically costs $56 to $70 per year and covers towing up to 7 miles, while Plus and Premier tiers cost more and cover longer distances plus additional roadside services.
  • Your actual cost depends on which regional AAA club serves your area, since AAA is made up of separate regional organizations with different pricing.
  • Memberships renew automatically each year, and renewal rates are often higher than the initial membership cost.
  • You can compare the three membership tiers and see exact pricing for your region by entering your zip code on AAA's website.

What each membership tier covers

Basic membership is the entry-level option and covers roadside towing up to 7 miles to a repair shop of your choice. It also includes lockout service (if you lock your keys in your car), fuel delivery if you run out of gas, and a jump-start if your battery dies. Basic does not cover mechanical repairs themselves — only the cost of getting your car to a mechanic.

Plus membership covers the same services as Basic but extends towing distance to 100 miles. This matters if you break down far from home or if your preferred repair shop is not nearby. Plus also adds four free lockout calls per year instead of unlimited, and includes other perks like discounted hotel rates and travel planning services.

Premier membership covers towing up to 200 miles and includes all the same roadside services as Plus. It is designed for people who drive long distances regularly or who want maximum coverage. Premier also includes additional benefits like discounted emergency cash advances and extended travel discounts.

How membership price varies by region

AAA operates through regional clubs in different parts of the country, and each club sets its own membership prices. The club that serves your area depends on your state or zip code. For example, AAA Northern California might charge different rates than AAA South Carolina, even though both are AAA clubs.

This means you cannot assume a price you see advertised in one state applies to you. The only way to know what you will actually pay is to visit AAA's website, enter your zip code, and see the pricing for your specific regional club. Some clubs also run promotional offers — like discounted first-year rates or waived joining fees — that change throughout the year.

Discounts and ways to lower your cost

Many AAA clubs offer a discount if you pay for two or three years of membership upfront instead of renewing year by year. The discount is usually 5 to 10 percent off the total, which adds up over time. Some clubs also charge less if you sign up online rather than at a local AAA office.

If you are a member of certain employers, unions, or organizations, you may be able to get a group discount on AAA membership. Some insurance companies also offer discounts to AAA members, which can offset part of the membership cost. Check with your employer's benefits department or your insurance agent to see if you may have access to.

Some AAA clubs offer a trial membership at a reduced rate — sometimes as low as $1 for the first month — so you can test the service before committing to a full year. This is worth doing if you are unsure whether you will use the roadside services enough to justify the cost.

What AAA membership does not cover

AAA membership covers getting your car to a repair shop, but it does not cover the cost of repairs themselves. If your engine fails and the repair costs $2,000, AAA pays for the tow truck — you pay for the engine work. This is an important distinction because people sometimes assume AAA membership includes repair coverage.

Membership also does not cover accidents, collisions, or damage to your vehicle. If you are in a crash, AAA will tow your car, but your auto insurance or collision coverage pays for the repairs. AAA is roadside information, not auto insurance.

Towing distance limits matter too. If you break down 150 miles from home and you have Basic membership (7-mile towing), AAA will tow you 7 miles to the nearest shop, and you are responsible for arranging and paying for the remaining 143 miles. This is why people who drive long distances often choose Plus or Premier.

When AAA membership might not be worth the cost

If you drive a newer car under warranty, you may already have roadside information included in your warranty. Check your warranty paperwork or call your car manufacturer's customer service line to confirm. If you have roadside coverage, adding AAA membership would be redundant.

If you drive very little — say, a few times a month in your local area — the odds of needing a tow are low, and the annual membership cost might not be worth it. You could instead pay per-tow when it happens, though a single tow can easily cost $100 to $200, which means one breakdown pays for a year of membership.

If your auto insurance policy includes roadside information, check what it covers before buying AAA. Some insurance policies include towing, lockout service, and fuel delivery at no extra cost. Comparing what you already have against what AAA offers helps you decide whether membership makes sense for your situation.

How to find your regional club's pricing

Go to AAA's main website and look for a section that says "Find Your Local Club" or "Enter Your Zip Code." Type in your zip code, and the site will show you which regional AAA club serves your area and display that club's current membership prices for all three tiers.

Once you see the pricing, you can also see what specific benefits each tier includes in your region, since some regional clubs add or remove benefits. You can join online, by phone, or in person at a local AAA office. Online joining is often the fastest and sometimes includes a small discount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does AAA membership cover my family or just me?

Basic AAA membership covers only the person whose name is on the card. However, most regional clubs offer a household membership option that covers multiple drivers in the same household for an additional fee — usually $30 to $50 more per year. Check with your regional club to see if household membership is available in your area.

Can I cancel my AAA membership if I change my mind?

Yes. Most regional clubs allow you to cancel within 30 days of joining and receive a full refund. After 30 days, you can still cancel, but you will not receive a refund for the remainder of the membership year. Contact your regional club directly to cancel — do not assume you can cancel online.

Does AAA membership include roadside information outside the United States?

AAA membership works in Canada and Mexico through reciprocal agreements with AAA's partner clubs in those countries. Coverage limits and services may differ, so contact AAA before traveling internationally to confirm what is covered in your destination.

What happens if I use AAA towing more than once in a year?

There is no limit on how many times you can use AAA roadside services in a year. You can call for a tow, lockout service, or fuel delivery as many times as you need. The membership cost stays the same regardless of how many times you use it.

Is AAA membership tax deductible?

AAA membership is generally not tax deductible for personal use. However, if you use your vehicle primarily for business, you may be able to deduct it as a business expense. Consult a tax professional or the IRS website to determine whether your situation qualifies.