If you have an active AAA membership, AAA generally does not charge an additional towing fee when your tow falls within your plan’s mileage and service limits. AAA offers Classic, Plus, and Premier memberships, with towing coverage ranging from approximately 5 miles to 200 miles.
Published prices in some regions are around $64.99 per year for Classic, $99.99 for Plus, and $124.99 for Premier, although prices and benefits vary by regional AAA club.
If your tow exceeds the mileage included with your plan, you may have to pay an additional mileage rate. Understanding your coverage can help you decide between AAA and a local towing service.
How Much Does AAA Towing Cost?
AAA towing can cost $0 out of pocket at the time of service when you are an eligible member and the tow is within your coverage.
| Membership | Example Annual Price | Included Towing |
| Classic | $64.99/year | Up to 5 miles |
| Plus | $99.99/year | Up to 100 miles |
| Premier | $124.99/year | One tow up to 200 miles; other eligible tows up to 100 miles |
| Extra mileage | Varies | Member may pay additional mileage |
These are example prices and can vary by region.
Is AAA Towing Free?
AAA towing can be free within your membership limits, but AAA is not a free service because you pay an annual membership fee.
For example, AAA Plus may cover a 40-mile tow because the plan includes up to 100 miles. Classic’s shorter mileage allowance may result in additional charges for longer trips.
Your membership level, remaining service calls, mileage, and local AAA rules determine what you pay.
AAA Towing Cost by Membership Level
AAA Classic Towing Cost
AAA Classic is the basic membership and costs approximately $64.99 per year in some regions. It generally includes up to 5 miles of towing per eligible service call.
Classic may suit drivers who mainly travel locally and want basic roadside assistance, such as towing, battery assistance, flat-tire service, lockout assistance, and emergency fuel delivery.
AAA Plus Towing Cost
AAA Plus costs approximately $99.99 per year in some regions and generally provides up to 100 miles of towing per service call, subject to plan terms.
Plus can be useful for commuters, travelers, and drivers who want more flexibility when choosing a repair shop.
AAA Premier Towing Cost
AAA Premier costs approximately $124.99 per year in some regions. It generally includes one tow up to 200 miles per household each membership year, with additional eligible tows up to 100 miles.
Premier can be valuable for drivers who frequently take long-distance trips.
How Many Tows Does AAA Give You Per Year?
AAA generally provides four roadside assistance service calls per membership year under its standard Classic and Plus structure. Premier may have different service-call benefits depending on the regional plan.
A service call can include towing, jump-starts, flat-tire service, lockout assistance, fuel delivery, or vehicle extrication. Using AAA for a battery problem can therefore count toward your available service calls.
What Happens If You Exceed AAA’s Towing Mileage?
AAA may arrange a tow that exceeds your covered mileage, but you may have to pay for the additional miles.
For example, if your plan covers 100 miles and your vehicle needs to travel 115 miles, the first 100 miles may be covered while the remaining 15 miles could be billed separately.
Before approving a long-distance tow, ask the dispatcher how much you will pay for mileage beyond your coverage.
What If You Use All Your AAA Service Calls?
After using your included roadside assistance calls, additional service may be available for an extra charge. The fee depends on your regional AAA club and membership terms.
Check your specific plan before assuming that additional towing or roadside assistance will be free.
Can I Call AAA If I’m Not a Member?
AAA may allow non-members to request roadside assistance, but pricing and availability vary by region. Some plans may charge an immediate-service fee in addition to membership costs, and new memberships may have a waiting period.
If your vehicle has already broken down, ask whether your membership becomes active immediately, whether a waiting period applies, and what the complete tow will cost.
Does AAA Cover Towing to Any Repair Shop?
Not necessarily. Your destination must meet the applicable towing benefit and service conditions.
When requesting service, provide the exact repair shop or destination and distance. AAA can then determine whether the tow falls within your coverage.
AAA vs. Paying a Local Towing Company
AAA can be an excellent option if you already have an active membership and your tow is covered. Without an existing membership, compare the membership cost and any immediate-service fees with a commercial towing company.
| Situation | Potentially Better Option |
| Existing AAA Plus membership | AAA |
| Existing AAA Premier membership | AAA |
| Short local tow without AAA | Compare local prices |
| Specialized recovery | Specialized towing provider |
| Heavy-duty towing | Commercial towing provider |
| Immediate service without membership | Compare AAA and local towing |
How Much Does a Tow Cost Without AAA?
Without roadside assistance, a commercial tow often includes a base hookup fee plus mileage. A general estimate is $50–$125 for the base fee plus $2.50–$5 per mile, although prices vary by location, vehicle, time, equipment, and towing company.
For example, a $75 hookup fee plus $3 per mile for a 10-mile tow would cost:
$75 + ($3 × 10) = $105
Longer distances can make direct commercial towing more expensive.
What Factors Can Increase Towing Costs?
Several factors can affect your towing bill:
Vehicle Size
Large SUVs, trucks, RVs, and commercial vehicles may require specialized equipment.
Vehicle Condition
A vehicle that rolls and steers is usually easier to load than one with severe damage.
Accident Recovery
Collision recovery may require additional equipment and labor.
Difficult Locations
Vehicles stuck in mud, snow, ditches, or other difficult areas may require recovery equipment.
Time of Service
Overnight, weekend, holiday, and emergency service may have different rates.
Tow Truck Type
Flatbed and wheel-lift trucks are used for different situations, and specialized equipment can increase costs.
How to Choose the Right AAA Membership
Choose Classic if you mainly drive locally and need basic roadside protection.
Choose Plus if you travel longer distances and want up to 100 miles of towing. It can provide a practical balance between price and coverage.
Choose Premier if you frequently take long road trips and could benefit from a 200-mile tow.
Tips for Getting the Most From AAA Towing
Before requesting service:
- Check your membership level.
- Confirm your remaining service calls.
- Give the dispatcher your exact destination.
- Ask about excess-mileage charges.
- Confirm any additional service fees.
- Ask what type of tow truck will arrive.
- Get an estimated arrival time.
These steps can help prevent unexpected charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does AAA charge for towing?
Eligible AAA members may pay $0 at the time of service when the tow falls within their membership’s mileage and service limits. Additional mileage or out-of-plan services may cost extra.
How far will AAA tow my car for free?
Classic generally includes up to 5 miles, Plus up to 100 miles, and Premier includes one tow up to 200 miles per household each membership year, with other eligible Premier tows generally up to 100 miles.
How many free tows do I get with AAA?
AAA generally includes four roadside assistance service calls per membership year under its standard Classic and Plus structure. Premier benefits can vary by region.
What happens if my AAA tow exceeds the mileage limit?
You may be responsible for the local provider’s mileage rate for the distance beyond your covered limit.
Can I use AAA immediately after joining?
Not necessarily. Some regional AAA information indicates that new memberships may have a 48-hour waiting period for roadside benefits, although same-day service terms can vary.
Is AAA cheaper than a regular towing company?
It can be, especially if you already have AAA and your tow is covered. Without an existing membership, compare the total membership and immediate-service costs with local towing prices.
Conclusion
So, what does AAA charge for towing? For eligible members, towing can effectively cost $0 out of pocket when the tow falls within the membership’s mileage and service limits.
Some regional plans provide approximately 5 miles with Classic, 100 miles with Plus, and one 200-mile tow with Premier. Membership prices may be around $64.99, $99.99, and $124.99 respectively, but regional differences apply.
AAA towing is not unlimited. Mileage limits, service-call limits, regional rules, and additional mileage charges can affect your final cost.
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