How Much Does Roadside Assistance Cost in 2025?

Expect to pay about $60–120 per year for a basic standalone roadside assistance membership, $100–160 for mid-tier, and $150–200+ for premium tiers; adding it through your auto insurer typically runs $10–30 per year, while pay‑per‑use service without a plan often costs $75–200+ per incident plus towing mileage. Prices vary by location, the level of towing included, and whether coverage is tied to the driver or the vehicle. Below is a detailed breakdown to help you compare options and estimate real-world costs.

What You’ll Pay by Type of Coverage

Roadside assistance is sold in several ways, and the structure you choose has the biggest impact on price. Here’s what typical consumers pay in 2025 for the most common options.

• Auto insurer add‑on: $10–30 per year for basic coverage (tows usually limited to the nearest shop, short mileage caps, and basic services like jump-starts, tire changes, lockouts, and fuel delivery). Some insurers charge per vehicle; others per policy.
• Standalone motor clubs (e.g., nationwide clubs): Basic $60–120/year, mid-tier $100–160/year, premium $150–200+ per year. Higher tiers include longer free tows (often 100+ miles), trip interruption, and more service calls.
• Automaker programs and telematics: New vehicles often include complimentary roadside assistance during the warranty period; after that, connected service bundles typically run about $10–25/month ($100–250/year) with roadside access included.
• Credit card programs: Increasingly pay‑per‑use, with standardized dispatch pricing around $60–95 per call for common services (towing usually up to a short distance) plus any parts/fuel; premium cards may offer limited complimentary calls but terms vary widely.
• On‑demand apps and cellular providers: Generally pay‑per‑use at market rates, sometimes with membership options around $60–120/year for basic plans.

If you want predictable costs and longer tows, a standalone club’s mid or premium tier is usually best; if you rarely need help and mostly drive in urban areas, an insurer add‑on or pay‑per‑use option can be the cheapest.

Typical Per‑Incident Prices Without a Plan

If you don’t have a plan, you’ll pay the street rate set by local providers. These costs rose in the past two years due to labor, fuel, and equipment expenses, and vary by metro vs. rural markets.

• Tow: $100–150 hookup plus $4–10 per mile in most areas; $150–250 hookup and $7–12 per mile in dense cities or remote regions. Flatbed tows (common for AWD/EVs) often cost more.
• Jump‑start: $60–120, depending on distance and time of day; higher if a new battery is sold/installed.
• Lockout service: $80–150, with premium charged for after‑hours or vehicles needing specialized unlocking tools.
• Flat tire change: $60–120; tire repair/replacement costs are extra. Low‑profile or specialty wheels can add fees.
• Fuel delivery: $60–100 service fee plus the cost of fuel; diesel and remote delivery can add surcharges.
• Winching/extrication: $100–250+ depending on complexity, terrain, and distance from roadway.

Two services in a single event (e.g., winching plus a tow) are often billed separately, so even one breakdown can exceed the cost of an annual plan.

What Affects the Price

Several variables push roadside costs up or down, whether you’re buying a plan or paying per call.

• Towing distance and coverage caps: Plans with 3–10 free miles are cheaper up front but can trigger high over‑mileage fees; 100‑mile tows are common in higher tiers.
• Geography: Urban cores and remote areas tend to cost more due to traffic, travel time, and provider scarcity.
• Vehicle type: AWD, low‑clearance, and EVs often require flatbeds. Heavy‑duty vehicles and trailers add cost.
• Time and conditions: Nights, weekends, holidays, severe weather, and off‑pavement recoveries can incur surcharges.
• Service limits: Annual call limits and per‑incident maximums vary; exceeding them leads to retail rates.
• Who’s covered: Driver‑based plans follow you in any car; vehicle‑based plans are cheaper but only cover the listed car.

Review these factors against your driving pattern—especially commute distance, climate, and how often you take road trips—before picking a plan.

How to Decide Which Option Is Best

A quick comparison can keep you from overpaying or getting stuck with inadequate towing limits.

1. Check existing benefits: Many new cars, apps, and credit cards already include some roadside coverage—avoid duplicating it.
2. Estimate your realistic tow needs: If you road-trip or live far from service, target at least one 75–100+ mile tow per year.
3. Run the math: One uncovered tow can cost $200–400+; that often justifies a $100–160 mid-tier membership.
4. Match coverage to your household: Driver‑based plans are better if multiple people drive multiple cars; vehicle‑based plans can suit a single daily driver.
5. Read exclusions: Some low-cost add‑ons only tow to the “nearest qualified facility,” not your preferred shop.
6. Check provider networks and ETAs in your area: Response times vary—reliability can matter more than a small price difference.

Balancing price with tow distance and response reliability usually leads to the best overall value.

Example Cost Scenarios

Here are realistic scenarios to illustrate how costs play out across different drivers and locations.

• City commuter with modern car: Insurer add‑on at $15/year covers rare jump‑starts or a short tow to a nearby shop; total annual cost likely under $30, assuming no long‑distance tows.
• Rural driver who travels 50–100 miles to larger towns: Mid‑tier standalone membership at $120–150/year can save hundreds versus per‑mile tow charges if a breakdown occurs far from home.
• Multi‑car family with teens: Driver‑based club plan that covers multiple members at $180–240/year may be cheaper than adding separate endorsements to each policy/vehicle.
• Owner of an older vehicle: Premium club plan at $160–220/year can pay for itself with one 100‑mile tow or a couple of after‑hours calls.

These examples show that light users in dense areas can spend very little with an insurer add‑on, while long‑distance or higher‑risk drivers benefit from broader club coverage.

Bottom Line

The average cost of roadside assistance in 2025 is roughly $60–120 per year for basic standalone plans, $100–160 for mid‑tier, and $150–200+ for premium, with insurer add‑ons commonly $10–30 per year. Without a plan, a single incident often runs $75–200+ plus tow mileage. Choose based on how far you typically drive from home, your tolerance for over‑mileage fees, and whether you need coverage that follows you or your vehicle. In many cases, one well‑timed tow can justify a year of comprehensive coverage.

How much should I pay 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 many miles does roadside assistance cover?

Your tow miles will vary by membership level: Classic: 7 miles, or unlimited back to a service provider. Plus®: Up to 100 miles. Premier®: 1 tow per household up to 200 miles, remaining tows up to 100 miles.

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.