AAA towing costs depend on your membership tier and how far you need to go
AAA offers towing as part of its roadside information membership, not as a standalone service you pay per incident. Members get a set number of free tows per year based on their membership level, and the distance covered varies. Basic AAA membership includes up to 7 miles of free towing annually. AAA Plus covers up to 100 miles per tow, up to four times per year. AAA Premier covers up to 200 miles per tow, also up to four times per year. If you need a tow beyond those limits, AAA charges you the difference — typically $3 to $5 per mile over the included distance, though the exact rate depends on your region and the towing company AAA contracts with locally.
The membership itself costs money: Basic runs roughly $50 to $70 per year, Plus around $100 to $130, and Premier around $150 to $200, depending on your state and whether you buy online or through an agent. These are annual fees, not per-tow charges. If you only need a tow once or twice a year within the included distance, the membership pays for itself quickly. If you rarely drive or have a newer car under warranty, you may not need it.
Key Takeaways
- AAA Basic members get up to 7 miles of free towing per incident, up to 7 times yearly; Plus members get 100 miles per tow, up to 4 times yearly; Premier members get 200 miles per tow, up to 4 times yearly.
- Tows beyond the included distance cost $3 to $5 per mile over the limit, though rates vary by region and the local towing company AAA uses.
- AAA membership itself costs $50 to $200 per year depending on the tier, and you pay this fee whether or not you use towing that year.
- AAA towing covers mechanical breakdowns and accidents but typically does not cover tows for traffic violations, impound lots, or off-road recovery.
- Non-members can request AAA towing but will pay the full retail rate, which is usually $100 to $300 or more depending on distance and location.
What AAA towing actually covers
AAA towing is meant for roadside emergencies: your car won't start, you have a flat tire, you run out of gas, your battery is dead, or you have a mechanical breakdown that makes the car unsafe to drive. The tow truck will come to your location, and if the problem is straightforward — a jump, a tire change, fuel delivery — the driver may fix it on the spot at no extra charge. If the car cannot be safely driven, the driver tows it to a repair shop, your home, or another destination you choose.
AAA towing does not cover tows to impound lots, tows related to traffic violations or parking tickets, tows for off-road recovery (your car is stuck in a ditch or field), or tows for vehicles that have been in a major accident and are unsafe to move. It also does not cover tows for lockouts, fuel delivery beyond a certain amount, or repeated service calls for the same problem within a short period. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, call AAA roadside information before the tow arrives — they can tell you whether the charge will be covered.
How to request a tow and what happens next
Call AAA roadside information at the number on your membership card, or use the AAA mobile app if you have it. You will need to provide your membership number, your location, a description of the problem, and where you want the car towed. AAA will dispatch a tow truck from a local contractor — AAA does not operate its own fleet in most areas. The wait time varies by location and time of day; in cities it is often 30 minutes to an hour, and in rural areas it can be longer.
The tow truck driver will assess the problem and either fix it roadside or tow the vehicle. If you are towed beyond your included distance, the driver will tell you the overage charge before or during the tow. You can dispute the charge later with AAA if you believe it was incorrect, but it is easier to ask about the distance limit when you call in. If you want the car towed to a specific shop, tell AAA when you call — they will tow to a shop of your choice, though some shops may not accept tows after hours.
Comparing AAA towing to other roadside information options
Other roadside information memberships exist and may be cheaper or more generous. Better World Club offers towing up to 100 miles for about $60 per year. Some auto insurance policies include roadside information as an add-on or standard feature — check your policy documents to see what you already have. Credit card companies sometimes offer roadside information to cardholders at no extra cost. If you have a newer car, the manufacturer's warranty often includes roadside information for a set period (usually three years or 36,000 miles).
For a single tow, calling a local towing company directly is often cheaper than joining a membership, especially if you live in an area with competitive towing rates. A typical local tow might cost $75 to $150 for the first 5 to 10 miles, then $2 to $4 per mile after that. The downside is you have to find and vet a towing company in an emergency, and prices vary wildly by location and time of day. AAA's value is convenience and predictability: you call one number, and a truck comes. The membership also covers other roadside services — lockouts, fuel delivery, battery service — so the cost is not towing alone.
What happens if you are not an AAA member
Non-members can still call AAA and request a tow, but you will pay the full retail rate. This is typically $100 to $300 or more depending on distance, location, and time of day. Tows at night or on weekends often cost more. You will also pay any overage charges on top of that. In most cases, calling a local towing company directly is cheaper for a one-time tow than paying AAA's non-member rate.
If you think you might need towing more than once in the next year, buying a AAA membership and then calling for the tow is often cheaper than paying the non-member rate twice. The math depends on your location and how far you need to go, so compare the membership cost to what a local tow would cost in your area.
Regional variation in AAA towing rates
AAA operates through regional clubs, and each club contracts with local towing companies. This means the exact cost of overage miles, the speed of dispatch, and the quality of service can vary significantly by state and even by city. California AAA, for example, may have different rates than AAA in Ohio. Some regions have more towing capacity and faster response times; others have longer waits, especially in rural areas.
Before you buy AAA membership, check the rates and coverage for your specific region on the AAA website or by calling your local club. Ask about overage rates, the average dispatch time in your area, and whether there are any exclusions or limits you should know about. This information is usually on the membership page or available from customer service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AAA towing cover tows to a dealership?
Yes, AAA will tow to a dealership, repair shop, or any other destination you choose. If the dealership is beyond your included distance, you pay the overage. Some dealerships have preferred towing companies, so call ahead to confirm they will accept an AAA tow.
What if I use my tows and need another one later in the year?
Once you have used your annual tows (4 for Plus or Premier, 7 for Basic), additional tows in that year are charged at the full retail rate. The tow limit resets on your membership renewal date, which is usually one year from when you joined.
Can I transfer my AAA towing to someone else's car?
AAA towing is tied to your membership, not to a specific vehicle. You can use your tows on any car you are in, whether you own it or not. However, the car must be roadworthy enough to tow safely, and the tow must be for a covered reason.
Do I have to use an AAA-approved shop for repairs after a tow?
No. AAA will tow to any repair shop you choose. You are not required to use a specific shop, and AAA does not negotiate repair prices on your behalf. The towing is separate from the repair.
What if the tow costs more than AAA says it should?
Contact AAA customer service with the tow receipt and explain the discrepancy. AAA will review the charge and may dispute it with the local towing company. Keep your receipt and any communication from the driver about the distance or overage charge.