AAA membership plans provide towing, lockout service, fuel delivery, and other roadside help, with costs and coverage limits that vary by membership tier and your state
AAA (American Automobile Association) offers roadside information as part of its membership, not as a standalone product. You join AAA as a member, and roadside information comes included at different levels depending on which membership tier you choose. The three main tiers are Basic, Plus, and Premier, each with different towing distances, service call limits per year, and annual costs that differ by region.
The membership covers services like towing to a repair shop, lockout information, fuel delivery, battery service, and flat tire changes. However, what you actually get — how far a tow truck will take your car, how many times per year you can call, and what the annual fee is — depends on which tier you pick and which AAA club serves your state, since AAA is a federation of regional clubs rather than a single national company.
Key Takeaways
- AAA membership tiers (Basic, Plus, Premier) determine how far you can be towed and how many service calls you get per year, with Premier offering the longest towing distance and most calls.
- Annual costs vary by region and club, typically ranging from around $50 to $150 per year depending on membership tier, so you should check your local AAA club's current pricing.
- Services covered include towing, lockouts, fuel delivery, battery service, and flat tire changes, but some services may have limits or require you to pay a deductible.
- You must be a current AAA member to use roadside information, and you set up it by calling the number on your membership card when you need help.
- Coverage applies to the member's vehicle only, not to vehicles they are driving that belong to someone else, with limited exceptions for household members in some plans.
The three AAA membership tiers and what they cover
AAA Basic is the entry-level membership. It typically includes up to 7 miles of free towing to a repair shop of your choice, lockout service, fuel delivery, battery service, and flat tire changes. You get a set number of service calls per year — usually four — meaning you can call for roadside help up to four times in a 12-month period. The annual cost is the lowest of the three tiers.
AAA Plus increases the towing distance to around 100 miles and raises the number of service calls to six per year. This tier costs more than Basic but less than Premier. It is designed for people who drive longer distances or want more frequent access to roadside help.
AAA Premier offers the longest towing distance, typically up to 200 miles, and the most service calls per year, usually unlimited or a very high number. This is the most expensive tier and is aimed at people who drive frequently, travel long distances, or want maximum peace of mind. Some regional AAA clubs offer a fourth tier called Plus RV or Premier RV for members with recreational vehicles, with different coverage limits suited to larger vehicles.
The exact towing distances, number of calls, and annual costs vary by AAA club. Your local club's pricing and coverage details are available on your state's AAA website or by calling your local club directly.
What services are included and what they cost
Towing is the main service. AAA will tow your vehicle to a repair shop within the distance limit for your tier at no charge. If you need to go beyond that distance, you typically pay the additional mileage out of pocket. The tow truck will take your car to a shop you choose, or to a AAA-affiliated shop if you prefer.
Lockout service covers the cost of a locksmith or technician to unlock your car if you are locked out. Battery service includes jump-starts and, in some cases, battery replacement or delivery. Flat tire changes involve a technician coming to change your tire with your spare or a temporary tire. Fuel delivery means a technician will bring you fuel if you run out of gas. These services are included in your membership and do not cost extra when you call.
Some services have limits. For example, a locksmith call might be covered only once per membership year, or battery replacement might be covered only if the battery is defective, not if you straightforward want a new one. Fuel delivery may be limited to a certain number of gallons. Read your membership agreement or call your local AAA club to understand the exact limits on the services you plan to use most.
How to set up your membership and call for help
When you join AAA, you receive a membership card with a phone number on the back. That number is your roadside information hotline. When you need help, you call that number, provide your membership number and location, describe your problem, and a dispatcher will send a service provider to you.
You do not need to pre-register your vehicle or set up anything in advance. Your membership is active as soon as you join. The dispatcher will ask for your location, the type of help you need, and your vehicle information, then dispatch the nearest available service provider.
Response time varies by location and demand. In urban areas, help may arrive within 30 minutes to an hour. In rural areas, it can take longer. The dispatcher will give you an estimate when you call. If you are in an unsafe location, tell the dispatcher and they may advise you to move to a safer spot or wait inside a nearby business.
Regional differences in pricing and coverage
AAA is not a single national organization but a federation of regional clubs. Each club sets its own membership prices and may offer slightly different coverage terms. For example, AAA in California may charge different rates and offer different towing distances than AAA in Texas or New York.
To find out what your local AAA club charges and what coverage you get, visit your state's AAA website or call the club directly. You can also ask about membership when you visit a local AAA office. Some clubs offer discounts for multi-year memberships, household memberships, or if you are a member of certain organizations like AARP.
If you move to a different state, your membership typically transfers to the local AAA club in your new state, though you may need to update your membership information. Coverage limits and pricing may change based on your new location.
What is not covered by AAA membership
AAA roadside information does not cover damage to your vehicle or repairs beyond the initial service call. For example, if your battery dies, AAA will jump-start it or replace it if it is defective, but they will not pay for a new battery if you straightforward want an upgrade. If your engine fails, they will tow you, but they will not pay for engine repair.
Coverage applies only to the member's vehicle. If you are driving someone else's car, you are not covered unless you are a household member and the vehicle is registered to your household. Some plans allow you to use your membership for a rental car or a borrowed vehicle, but this varies by club and membership tier, so check your agreement.
AAA does not cover towing or service for commercial vehicles, vehicles used for rideshare or delivery services, or vehicles with commercial plates. If you use your personal vehicle for Uber or DoorDash, you are not covered. Motorcycles, ATVs, and other non-standard vehicles may have limited or no coverage depending on your club.
How AAA membership compares to other roadside information options
Some auto insurance policies include roadside information as an add-on. This coverage works similarly to AAA but is provided through your insurance company. The advantage is that it may be cheaper if bundled with your policy, and you have one phone number for both insurance and roadside help. The disadvantage is that coverage limits may be lower, and you may be required to use approved providers rather than choosing your own repair shop.
Credit card companies sometimes offer roadside information as a cardholder benefit. This is usually free but may have lower coverage limits or fewer service calls per year than AAA membership.
Standalone roadside information programs like Better World Club or roadside plans from some fuel companies offer similar services but may have different pricing and coverage. The main advantage of AAA is that it is widely recognized, has a large network of service providers, and offers additional member benefits beyond roadside information, such as discounts on hotels, car rentals, and insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my AAA membership if I am driving someone else's car?
Coverage depends on your membership tier and regional club rules. Generally, you are covered only if you are driving your own vehicle. Some clubs allow coverage for household members' vehicles or rental cars, but you should check your membership agreement or call your club to confirm before you need help.
What happens if I need a tow longer than my membership tier allows?
AAA will tow you up to your tier's limit at no charge. For any distance beyond that, you pay the additional mileage cost out of pocket. The dispatcher can tell you the cost before the tow truck arrives so you can decide whether to proceed or arrange alternative transportation.
How many times per year can I call for roadside help?
It depends on your tier. Basic typically allows four calls per year, Plus allows six, and Premier allows unlimited or a very high number. Each service call counts as one use, whether it is a tow, lockout, or fuel delivery. Your membership resets on your renewal date each year.
Do I have to use an AAA-approved repair shop for towing?
No. You can direct the tow truck to any repair shop you choose. AAA will tow you there at no charge within your tier's distance limit. You do not have to use an AAA-affiliated shop, though some members prefer to because of AAA's warranty on repairs.
Is roadside information included in all AAA memberships?
Yes, roadside information is included in all AAA membership tiers. You do not pay extra for it. However, the level of coverage — towing distance, number of calls, and specific services — varies by tier and by your regional AAA club.