How Much Does Roadside Recovery Cost in 2025?

Expect to pay roughly $150–$400 (US), £150–£300 (UK), CA$150–CA$350 (Canada), AU$180–AU$400 (Australia), or €150–€350 (EU) for a one-off local recovery or short tow, with longer-distance towing adding $4–$10 per mile (US) or £2–£4 per mile/€1–€3 per km in many regions. Annual membership with major providers typically runs $60–$210 in the US, £72–£264 in the UK, CA$75–CA$210 in Canada, and AU$120–AU$360 in Australia, often covering multiple call-outs and a set number of towing miles/kilometers.

What Drives the Cost of Roadside Recovery

Roadside recovery pricing varies widely based on location, service level, distance, timing, and your coverage. Understanding these cost drivers helps you estimate a fair price and avoid surprises.

• Distance: Most providers charge a base “hook-up” fee plus per-mile/km rates after an included distance.
• Time and day: After-hours, weekend, and holiday surcharges are common.
• Location: Urban congestion or remote/rural dispatch distances can raise prices.
• Service type: Simple jump-starts or tire changes cost less than winching, accident recovery, or long tows.
• Vehicle type/weight: Larger vehicles and motorcycles may have different rates or equipment needs.
• Membership vs. pay-as-you-go: Members often get included miles and capped fees; non-members pay full retail.
• Regulated removals: Police-ordered or motorway removals can follow statutory fee schedules.

Tallying these elements quickly shows why quotes can differ even within the same city; always ask for an itemized estimate.

Typical Prices by Region (2025)

United States

Across the US, retail towing rates reflect labor, fuel, insurance, and local demand. Memberships (AAA and others) can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.

• One-off tow (non-member): $95–$150 hook-up + $4–$10 per mile; jump-start/lockout typically $75–$150.
• After-hours surcharge: $25–$75; winching/extrication: $75–$200+ depending on complexity.
• AAA membership (varies by club/region): Classic ~$60–$90/yr (3–7 miles included per tow), Plus ~$100–$160/yr (up to ~100 miles), Premier ~$140–$210/yr (one 200-mile tow, others at 100 miles).
• Auto insurance add-on: $5–$15/month, commonly caps towing at 10–20 miles and may impact claim history differently than club memberships.

If you need only a short urban tow once a year, retail might be comparable to a basic membership; frequent or long-distance tows justify higher-tier plans.

United Kingdom

UK pricing differs by region and provider, with notable differences between introductory and renewal rates for memberships.

• Pay-as-you-go: £80–£150 call-out + £2–£4 per mile; local urban tows commonly £150–£300 total.
• Motorway/regulated removals: Police or National Highways removals follow statutory fees; storage charges can apply if vehicles are impounded.
• Memberships (AA, RAC, Green Flag): Basic roadside typically £6–£12/month (£72–£144/yr); adding National Recovery often brings totals to £12–£22/month (£144–£264/yr), with first-year promos often lower.
• Extras: Home start, onward travel, and parts/labour cover increase monthly cost but reduce event costs.

For long-distance recovery (e.g., 50+ miles), a plan with National Recovery usually undercuts ad-hoc towing by a wide margin.

Canada

Costs in Canada broadly mirror the US once converted, with winter conditions sometimes affecting availability and pricing.

• One-off tow: CA$100–CA$160 hook-up + CA$3–CA$6 per km; light services (boost, lockout) CA$80–CA$160.
• CAA membership: Basic ~CA$75–CA$130/yr (short local tows), Plus ~CA$120–CA$170, Premier ~CA$150–CA$210 (longer tows and extras).
• Surcharges: After-hours/winter conditions may add CA$25–CA$100; winching often CA$100–CA$250.

In provinces with longer distances between towns, higher-tier memberships commonly pay for themselves with a single long tow.

Australia

Australian metropolitan rates are generally moderate, while regional and remote recoveries can be costly due to distance.

• One-off tow: AU$150–AU$250 hook-up including a short distance (often 5–10 km) + AU$3–AU$6 per km beyond; after-hours +AU$30–AU$80.
• Winching/sand/mud recovery: AU$100–AU$250+ depending on difficulty and equipment.
• Memberships (NRMA, RACV, RACQ, RAA, etc.): Basic ~AU$10–AU$15/month (AU$120–AU$180/yr); premium tiers ~AU$20–AU$30/month (AU$240–AU$360/yr) with long-distance towing allowances.

Remote-area recoveries escalate quickly; confirm per-km pricing both to reach you and to tow you.

European Union (varies by country)

EU member countries have different norms; motorway rules and insurance coverages influence costs significantly.

• One-off tow: €100–€250 call-out + €1–€3 per km; motorway recovery can start around €200–€300 plus distance.
• Club memberships (e.g., ADAC in Germany, Touring in Belgium, ACI in Italy): typically €50–€160/year depending on tier and cross-border benefits.
• Cross-border coverage: Higher-tier plans often include repatriation or extended towing; verify country lists.

If you drive across borders, check whether your plan covers foreign dispatch and language assistance.

Membership vs. Pay-As-You-Go: When Each Makes Sense

Choosing between a membership and paying per incident depends on how often you drive, distances involved, vehicle age, and your tolerance for out-of-pocket surprises.

1. Occasional, short local tows: If you rarely need help and trips are urban, a single retail tow may cost the same as a year of basic cover.
2. Long commutes or road trips: One long tow can exceed an annual premium-tier membership—membership usually wins.
3. Older vehicles or harsh climates: Higher breakdown likelihood leans toward membership for predictable costs.
4. Multiple drivers/vehicles: Household or vehicle-based plans can spread value across family members.

Run a quick “break-even” check: estimate one year’s likely calls and distances; if two services or one long tow are plausible, membership often saves money.

Extra Fees You Might Encounter

Beyond the base tow, providers may add charges for difficult conditions, special equipment, or administrative processes.

• Winching/extrication from snow, mud, sand, or embankments.
• Second truck or flatbed requirement for AWD/low-clearance vehicles.
• Storage fees after impound or if drop-off is closed.
• Fuel delivery or on-site battery replacement parts costs.
• Gate, key-release, or mileage both to and from remote locations.
• Cancellation fees if the truck is already dispatched.

Ask for an itemized quote before agreeing to service and clarify whether mileage is charged from dispatch or only with your vehicle in tow.

How to Keep Costs Down

Proactive steps and smart choices can reduce your roadside recovery expenses significantly over a year.

• Compare memberships annually—introductory offers can be much cheaper than renewals.
• Check if your auto insurer, credit card, carmaker, or new-car warranty already includes roadside assistance.
• Request the nearest suitable drop-off to minimize mileage charges.
• Maintain a charged battery, proper tire pressure, and a spare—common fixes that prevent tows.
• Use apps that show ETAs and quotes from multiple local tow operators.
• Confirm after-hours rates; if safe, daytime service may be cheaper.

Layering existing benefits with the right membership tier often delivers the best coverage at the lowest net cost.

What to Ask When You Call a Recovery Provider

Clear questions upfront help you avoid misunderstanding and control the final bill.

• What is the base call-out/hook-up fee, and how many miles/km are included?
• What is the per-mile/km rate after the included distance?
• Are there after-hours, weekend, or holiday surcharges?
• Do you charge from dispatch or only while towing my vehicle?
• What are winching/extrication fees if needed?
• What forms of payment are accepted, and will I receive an itemized receipt?

Getting these details in writing (text or app) sets expectations and can help resolve disputes later.

Sample Bills: Realistic Scenarios

These quick calculations illustrate how totals can add up based on distance, timing, and service complexity.

1. US, 12-mile evening tow: $120 hook-up + 12 miles x $6 = $192; after-hours $40; total ≈ $232.
2. UK, motorway recovery 40 miles: £120 call-out + 40 miles x £3 = £240; total ≈ £360 (statutory or operator fees may vary).
3. Canada, winter winch + 8-km tow: CA$130 hook-up + CA$120 winch + 8 km x CA$4 = CA$32; total ≈ CA$282.
4. Australia, regional 80-km daytime tow: AU$200 hook-up (includes 10 km) + 70 km x AU$4.50 = AU$315; total ≈ AU$515.

A membership with longer included towing could reduce or eliminate most of these charges, particularly for longer distances.

Summary

Roadside recovery costs in 2025 typically fall between $150 and $400 (local, short tows), with distance, timing, and service type driving the final price. Per-mile/km charges and surcharges can lift totals quickly, making memberships—$60–$210 (US), £72–£264 (UK), CA$75–CA$210 (Canada), AU$120–AU$360 (Australia), and €50–€160 (EU)—a cost-effective hedge if you travel often or far. To avoid surprises, get an itemized quote, ask about included mileage and surcharges, and check whether existing benefits already cover you.

Can I call AA if not a member?

We’ll come and rescue you, even if you’re not a member yet. If you’re already with us, you can also report a breakdown and pinpoint your location using our app.

Who has the cheapest roadside assistance?

Geico
Geico offers the cheapest roadside assistance plan with rates as low as $14 per year. Roadside assistance costs range from about $20 to $150 per year on average and will vary depending on coverage, vehicle and how many people are on a policy.

Does it cost money to call roadside assistance?

If you are not a Member, you can request roadside assistance by calling 800-222-4357. There will be an additional fee of $75, plus the cost of your selected Membership plan, for immediate roadside assistance.

What’s the average cost for roadside assistance?

Standalone roadside assistance plans can cost anywhere from $60 to $420 per year for coverage. Add-on roadside assistance from car insurance companies tends to be cheaper and typically ranges from $10 to $60 per year, depending on service selections.