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Towing Cost vs Roadside Assistance: Full Comparison: What Drivers Should Know
Quick Answer: Paying for a single tow out of pocket costs $75–$300. An annual roadside assistance plan costs $60–$130 and covers multiple tows plus jump starts, lockouts, and flat tires. If you drive more than occasionally, a plan wins financially after just one incident. The real question is whether you already have coverage through insurance or a credit card.
What To Do
- Audit your existing coverage before spending anything new. You may already be paying for roadside assistance through:
- Auto insurance policy (look for “roadside” or “emergency road service” on your declarations page)
- Credit card, call the number on the back and ask if roadside is included
- Vehicle manufacturer program (new car? check the glove box for coverage documents)
- Cell phone plan (some T-Mobile, Verizon plans include it)
- If you have no coverage, decide based on your situation:
- Drive an older car that occasionally has issues? Get a plan.
- Drive a new car rarely, mostly short local trips? Out-of-pocket may be fine.
- Road trip regularly, drive in winter, or live in a rural area? A plan is essential.
- Compare roadside plans by your biggest risk:
- Frequent long-distance driver: AAA Plus (100-mile tow coverage)
- Local driving only: AAA Basic, or a credit card roadside benefit
- Budget-conscious: Check if your insurer offers a roadside rider for $5–$15/year
- Factor in non-towing benefits. A jump start call through AAA costs nothing with membership. Out of pocket, a service call runs $50–$80. Lockouts and flat tire changes add up the same way.
What It Might Cost
Out-of-pocket towing (no coverage):
| Situation | Cost |
|---|---|
| Local tow (under 10 miles) | $75–$150 |
| Mid-distance tow (10–30 miles) | $150–$250 |
| Long-distance tow (50+ miles) | $300–$600 |
| Jump start (service call) | $50–$80 |
| Lockout service | $50–$100 |
Annual roadside assistance plans:
| Plan | Annual Cost | Towing Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| AAA Basic | $60–$80 | 5 miles free, 4 calls |
| AAA Plus | $100–$130 | 100 miles free, 4 calls |
| Better World Club Basic | $58–$72 | 5 miles free |
| Insurance roadside rider | $5–$15 | Varies by policy |
| Credit card roadside | $0 extra | Per-incident dispatch ~$50 |
Break-even math: AAA Basic at $75/year. If you use it once for a $120 tow, net cost is negative $45, you’re ahead. One jump start in addition covers two years of membership.
Stay Safe
- Roadside plans are only useful if you actually call them. Store the number in your phone now.
- AAA and most roadside apps (AAA, Allstate, Urgently) show real-time GPS tracking of your tow truck. Use this feature, it’s safer than stepping outside repeatedly to check.
- If your situation involves a collision, call your insurance company first, the process for accident towing is different from breakdown towing.
Need more roadside help? Visit Tow With The Flow for complete guides on car breakdowns and towing.