How Much Should Roadside Assistance Cost?

For most drivers in the U.S., expect to pay about $10–50 per year if you add roadside assistance to your auto insurance, $60–220 per year for an auto club membership (such as AAA) depending on tier, or $75–200+ per incident if you use pay‑per‑use towing and services. In practical terms, many drivers land in the $80–150 per year range for reliable, nationwide coverage with generous towing. Below is a detailed breakdown of current pricing, what affects costs, and how to decide what’s best for your driving habits and budget.

Typical price ranges in 2025

Roadside assistance is sold in several ways—through your insurer, an auto club, a credit card, a carmaker, or simply paying per use. These are the price ranges you’re likely to see in the U.S. this year.

• Auto insurance add‑on: about $10–50 per year per vehicle; usually includes basic towing (often 5–15 miles), jump starts, lockouts, tire changes, and fuel delivery.
• Auto clubs (e.g., AAA and regional clubs): roughly $60–90 for basic tiers, $100–160 for mid‑tier with ~100 miles of towing, and $130–220 for premium tiers that add a 150–200‑mile tow and extras. Associate household members often cost $30–60 each.
• Standalone roadside plans (from insurers or third parties): about $60–150 per year depending on tow mileage and perks; RV/motorcycle coverage typically costs more.
• Automaker programs: often included for 2–5 years on new vehicles for $0 out of pocket per covered incident; after coverage ends, per‑use rates apply similar to market pricing.
• Credit card programs: many cards offer pay‑per‑dispatch roadside (commonly ~$60–90 per call plus extras), while a few premium cards include limited complimentary dispatches with caps.
• Pay‑per‑use towing without any plan: typically $95–125 for hookup plus $3–10 per mile; an in‑town tow often runs $150–300, with long‑distance tows costing $300–600+.

In short, if you want dependable coverage and longer tows, budgeting roughly $80–150 per year is a realistic target; light users who stay local can often get by with a $10–30 insurance add‑on.

What drives the price

What you pay—and what you get—depends on several factors that determine the cost and value of roadside assistance.

• Towing mileage: Plans with 50–100+ free miles per tow cost more but prevent big out‑of‑pocket charges on breakdowns far from home.
• Vehicle type and extras: RVs, trailers, motorcycles, and EVs (flatbed required) can increase cost; RV/motorcycle riders usually need special add‑ons.
• Region and availability: Rural or high‑cost metro areas often see higher per‑mile tow rates and longer ETAs, which can affect dispatch pricing.
• Call limits and waiting periods: Cheaper plans may limit service calls per year or have waiting periods of 48–72 hours before you can use benefits.
• Household coverage: Adding spouses/kids raises total cost but can be cheaper than separate plans.
• Time of day/conditions: After‑hours, holiday, inclement weather, or winch‑outs can trigger surcharges on pay‑per‑use jobs.
• Perks and reimbursements: Trip interruption coverage, rental discounts, identity theft protection, or travel services can add to the membership price.

Comparing towing mileage caps, service call limits, and vehicle eligibility side by side will tell you more about value than headline price alone.

Provider‑by‑provider comparison at a glance

Here’s how the major roadside assistance channels generally stack up for cost and coverage characteristics.

• Auto clubs (AAA and peers): Broad networks and consistent experiences. Pricing varies by region but typically offers the best value on long‑distance tows (100–200 miles on mid/premium tiers). Good for road‑trippers and rural drivers.
• Insurance add‑ons: Cheapest annual cost, but towing distances are usually limited. Best for urban/suburban drivers who mainly need short‑range tows and occasional jump/lockout help.
• Automaker programs: Often free during the warranty window (2–5 years). Convenient for new vehicles and EVs, with coverage tailored to the model, but benefits end when the term expires.
• Credit cards: Useful as a back‑up. Most cards offer a flat, pay‑per‑dispatch rate; a few premium cards include a small number of complimentary dispatches with caps on towing miles.
• Third‑party apps/dispatch networks: On‑demand, no membership. Pricing is transparent and comparable to local tow rates; useful when you rarely need service.

If you frequently drive long distances or in areas with sparse services, an auto club’s mid‑tier often delivers the strongest value. If you rarely need help, insurance add‑ons or pay‑as‑you‑go options can be more economical.

When a membership pays for itself

The break‑even largely hinges on towing distance. One moderate tow can equal a full year of dues on mid‑tier plans.

Example scenario

Suppose you need a 25‑mile tow. Local market rates might be $110 for hookup plus $6 per mile, totaling about $260. A mid‑tier auto club plan at, say, $120–140 per year typically includes one 100‑mile tow; that single incident could already justify the membership. If your typical needs are short‑range (under 5–10 miles), the math may tilt toward an insurance add‑on at $10–30 per year.

Realistic per‑incident prices without a plan

If you skip membership and pay per use, here is what common services often cost before taxes and fees.

• Tow, short distance (up to ~10 miles): ~$150–275 total.
• Tow, longer distance (25–50 miles): ~$250–500+ depending on per‑mile rates.
• Jump start or battery boost: ~$60–120; mobile battery replacement is extra for the battery itself.
• Lockout service: ~$75–150; smart‑key issues can cost more.
• Tire change (with your spare): ~$60–120; tire delivery/replacement is extra.
• Fuel delivery: ~$75–120 plus the cost of fuel; some plans include a small amount at no charge.
• Winch‑out (stuck in snow/mud): ~$75–250+ depending on complexity and distance off roadway.
• After‑hours/holiday surcharge: typically +$25–$75.

Prices vary by city and weather; winter storms, remote locations, and heavy‑duty/flatbed requirements can move these numbers higher.

Tips to keep costs down and choose the right plan

A few steps can help you match coverage to your needs and avoid surprises when you call for help.

1. Map your tow risk: Consider commute length, rural driving, and road‑trip frequency; pick a plan with towing miles to match.
2. Check what you already have: New‑car and CPO warranties, credit cards, and phone/car‑maker apps may include or discount roadside help.
3. Compare the fine print: Towing mileage caps, winch‑out limits, off‑road exclusions, number of service calls, and wait periods matter more than marketing.
4. Cover the household: If multiple drivers share cars, adding associates to a membership can be cheaper than separate plans.
5. Mind EV/RV specifics: Ensure flatbed coverage for EVs and confirm RV/trailer or motorcycle eligibility and mileage caps.
6. Watch claim history: Insurer add‑ons are inexpensive, but frequent use can appear on your record and may influence underwriting; use judiciously.
7. Price shop locally: If you rarely need help, get quotes from nearby tow operators and keep numbers saved for pay‑as‑you‑go.

Matching your plan to your actual driving pattern is the best way to control costs—oversized coverage can be as wasteful as undercoverage is risky.

FAQs

These quick answers address common questions about roadside assistance pricing and coverage.

• Does roadside assistance affect insurance rates? Using a towing/lockout benefit typically isn’t an at‑fault claim, but frequent use can appear in claim histories and may affect future underwriting with some insurers.
• Is coverage per driver or per vehicle? Auto clubs usually cover the member in any car they’re driving or riding in; insurer add‑ons usually cover the listed vehicle. Verify before buying.
• Are tips included? No. Gratuities for service providers are optional and not included in plan costs.
• Do plans cover keys or batteries? Most plans cover the service (unlock/jump) but not replacement keys or batteries, which are extra.
• What about EVs that run out of charge? Some plans tow to the nearest charger; a few offer mobile charging in select areas, often at additional cost.

Always read the plan’s exclusions and distance limits so you know what’s covered before you need assistance.

Summary

Roadside assistance typically costs $10–50 per year as an insurance add‑on, $60–220 per year for an auto club membership, or $75–200+ per incident if you pay as you go. Choose based on your driving pattern: city drivers often do fine with inexpensive insurer add‑ons, while road‑trippers and rural drivers usually get better value from mid‑ to premium‑tier auto club plans with 100–200 miles of towing. Compare towing mileage, service limits, and vehicle eligibility to get the right coverage at the right price.

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.

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.

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.

How expensive is drive roadside?

So they’ll charge you that $50 service fee. But if you’re maybe 25 miles out they may charge you 50 cents to a dollar per mile on top of that roadside battery replacement.