How Much Does AAA Charge for Towing?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

AAA towing is often “free” up to your plan’s mileage limit—then you pay the overage. The catch is that AAA benefits vary by region (AAA is a network of local auto clubs), so the exact towing miles, fees, and rules depend on your club and where you break down.

In this guide, we’ll break down how AAA towing works, what you’ll pay if you go beyond your included miles, and how to avoid surprise charges—so you can make the most of your free towing benefits.

AAA Doesn’t Have One National Tow Price: Your included miles and any overage rate depend on your local AAA club and the service area.
Your Plan Sets the “Free” Miles: Classic/Basic is usually a short local tow, Plus is commonly built for 100-mile tows, and Premier often adds one longer 200-mile tow per year.
Overages Are Usually Pay-At-Service: If you exceed your mileage limit (or your annual service calls), expect to pay the extra cost at the time the tow is provided.
New-Member Fine Print Matters: Some clubs have waiting periods for upgraded benefits and may charge a same-day service fee if you join and immediately request roadside assistance.

Table Of Contents

How AAA’s Towing Service Works
AAA Towing Mileage Limits by Membership Tier
What AAA Charges When You Exceed Your Tow Limit
Other AAA Roadside Fees and Fine Print
Winching and Extrication: When Your Car Is Stuck
When AAA May Decline or Limit a Tow
How to Request AAA Towing
Is AAA Towing Worth It?
Final Word on AAA Towing Costs
FAQs on AAA Towing Costs

How AAA’s Towing Service Works

You pay annual membership dues to AAA, and that membership includes a set number of roadside “service calls” per year (tows, jump-starts, flat tire service, lockouts, etc.). Generally, the higher your membership level, the more towing miles you get.

AAA membership usually follows the member (not the car). That means you can typically use your benefits whether you’re driving your own vehicle, riding with a friend, or in many rental vehicles—so long as you’re present when service is provided.

Quick tip: Before you request a tow, ask the dispatcher (or the driver) how many miles are included on your plan and what the per-mile overage rate will be in your location.

When you request help, AAA will determine whether roadside service can get you moving safely. If emergency roadside assistance can’t jumpstart your vehicle, fix a flat tire situation, or otherwise make the vehicle safely drivable, towing is usually the next step.

Response times vary a lot by city vs. rural areas, weather, major events, and tow-truck availability. If you’re curious what to expect, see how long AAA typically takes to respond.

AAA will typically tow your vehicle either (1) to a repair facility (including AAA-approved shops in many regions) or (2) to another destination you choose, within your mileage limit.

AAA Towing Mileage Limits by Membership Tier

AAA’s published benefits commonly look like this (but your club’s Member Guide is the final word). If you want a deeper dive, see the farthest AAA will tow.

AAA Plan	Included Towing (Typical)	Included Service Calls (Typical)	Notes
Classic / Basic	Up to ~5 miles per tow (or to a nearby AAA-approved repair shop in many regions)	Up to 4 per membership year	Some clubs offer different “local tow” mileage (your plan documents control).
Plus	Up to ~100 miles per tow	Up to 4 per membership year	Designed for longer trips or drivers who frequently travel outside their metro area.
Premier	One tow up to ~200 miles, plus remaining tows up to ~100 miles	Up to 4 per membership year	Often the best fit for road-trippers, remote travel, and higher-mileage towing needs.

AAA also offers RV and motorcycle options in many regions. The towing mileage can be similar to the standard Plus/Premier limits, but eligibility rules (like vehicle type, weight, or required riders) may apply.

What AAA Charges When You Exceed Your Tow Limit

Here’s the key point: AAA usually doesn’t publish one nationwide “price per mile” for towing overages. If you exceed your included miles, the extra miles are typically billed at a local, prevailing per-mile rate (often discounted for members) and paid to the service provider at the time of service.

So, “How much does AAA charge for towing?” is really two questions:

Within your mileage benefit: No extra towing charge (you’ve already paid through membership dues).
Beyond your mileage benefit: You pay the overage based on your club’s rules and the local tow rate.

If you want to estimate out-of-pocket costs (especially for longer tows), check your plan’s towing miles and compare that to your likely distance. If you exceed the limit, ask for the overage rate up front.

Also remember: if you run out of included service calls for the year, you may be charged for additional roadside events (even if the mileage is short). That’s one reason it’s smart to use roadside service only for true emergencies—not routine maintenance.

Typical Tow Pricing Without Roadside Coverage

If you’re comparing AAA to paying out of pocket, many tow companies charge a hook-up/base fee plus a per-mile rate. Rates vary widely by city, time of day, and whether you need special equipment.

Common Tow Cost Components	What It Means	Why It Matters
Hook-up / base fee	A flat fee to dispatch and connect your vehicle	This can be the biggest part of a short tow.
Per-mile charge	A rate applied to the distance towed	Long-distance tows get expensive fast.
Extras	Winching, after-hours, heavy-duty equipment, storage, etc.	These can add up quickly—ask what’s included.

For a real-world benchmark, you can compare your situation to the average cost of a 20-mile tow in your area.

Other AAA Roadside Fees and Fine Print

AAA towing is straightforward most of the time, but these “fine print” items can affect what you pay:

New member waiting periods: Some clubs delay access to certain upgraded benefits for a short period after you join or upgrade. In some regions, requesting service immediately after joining can trigger a same-day service fee.
Overage charges: Extra miles beyond your plan are typically billed at local rates and paid at the time of service.
One tow per disablement (in many clubs): If your vehicle needs additional moves for the same breakdown, extra tows may be limited or billed.
Non-reimbursable payments: If you authorize and pay for overage miles or extras, reimbursement is not guaranteed—so confirm pricing before approving work.

Quick tip: If you’re signing up for AAA because you need a tow today, read the checkout screen carefully. Some AAA clubs charge a same-day service fee for brand-new members who request roadside service immediately.

Winching and Extrication: When Your Car Is Stuck

If your vehicle is stuck (snow, mud, a ditch, a shoulder drop-off), AAA may provide winching and extraction—but it’s not unlimited. In many AAA regions, standard winching/extrication is covered only when your vehicle can be safely reached from a maintained roadway (often within roughly a short distance from the road), and only when one standard service vehicle can complete the job.

If the recovery requires additional trucks, specialized equipment, or extended labor time, you may owe extra charges (and some higher-tier memberships may include limited extra help before charges start). If the vehicle still can’t be driven safely after recovery, your towing mileage benefit typically applies.

When AAA May Decline or Limit a Tow

AAA can refuse service when a tow would be unsafe, illegal, or outside the membership terms. While rules vary by club, common limitations include:

Inaccessible or off-road locations: If a truck can’t safely reach the vehicle from an established road, service may be limited or unavailable.
Commercial or for-hire use: Membership is generally intended for personal use, not routine towing for taxis/for-hire operations or commercial fleets.
Improper vehicle conditions: Unsecured loads, unsafe modifications, or situations that create a safety hazard can affect eligibility.
Vehicle-type rules: Certain RVs, trailers, or specialty vehicles may require an RV/motorcycle plan or rider.

If you’re unsure whether your vehicle qualifies, the fastest way to avoid a bad surprise is to check your club’s Member Guide or call AAA before you need help.

How to Request AAA Towing

You can request a tow by phone, through the AAA app, or online. If you want the official contact options, see AAA’s customer service contact number.

To reach AAA 24/7 roadside assistance by phone, call 800-AAA-HELP (800-222-4357). You can also request help online using AAA’s Digital Roadside Request tool: Request Roadside Assistance Online.

When you request service, be ready to share:

Your exact location (cross streets help)
Your vehicle details (make/model/color)
The issue (won’t start, flat tire, accident, etc.)
Where you want the car to go (repair shop vs. home)

It’s also smart to confirm whether your situation can be handled with a non-tow service first, like emergency roadside assistance (battery, tire help, lockout, fuel, etc.).

Is AAA Towing Worth It?

AAA can be worth it if you want predictable coverage and the option for longer-distance towing—especially if you’d otherwise be paying a hook-up fee plus per-mile charges out of pocket.

On the other hand, some drivers already have towing through their auto insurer, credit card, or a vehicle warranty. Before buying or renewing AAA, compare your alternatives (and how they’re handled). A good starting point is our guide to whether car insurance covers towing, plus a review of whether an AAA membership is worth it for your driving habits.

Also consider the “non-towing” perks. Depending on your plan and region, AAA membership may include services like fuel delivery, flat tire changes, lockout assistance, and discounts and travel benefits.

If AAA isn’t a fit, here are some AAA alternatives to consider.

Final Word on AAA Towing Costs

AAA towing is typically included up to your plan’s mileage limit. If you go beyond those miles (or exceed your annual service calls), you’ll usually pay extra—often at a local per-mile rate—and that amount is typically due at the time of service.

To get the most accurate answer for your membership, check your club’s Member Guide and confirm your limits before you need a tow.

FAQs on AAA Towing Costs

Does AAA charge for towing?

AAA towing is typically included up to your plan’s mileage limit. If your tow exceeds the included miles (or you’ve used all service calls for the year), you may owe additional charges. Exact rules vary by AAA club and location.

How many miles will AAA tow for free?

It depends on your membership tier and local AAA club. Many regions provide a short local tow on Classic/Basic plans, longer tows on Plus plans (often around 100 miles), and an added long-distance tow on Premier (often one tow up to around 200 miles). Always verify your club’s Member Guide for your specific limits.

What happens if my tow is longer than my AAA mileage limit?

If you exceed your included miles, you typically pay the overage miles at a local per-mile rate (often discounted for members). In most cases, payment is due to the service provider at the time of service. Ask for the estimated overage cost before the tow begins.

Can I choose where AAA tows my car?

Usually, yes—within your plan’s rules. Many AAA clubs allow towing to a repair facility or another destination you choose (like your home), as long as the tow is within your mileage benefit. If you choose a farther destination, you may pay overage miles.

How many tows do you get per year with AAA?

Many AAA clubs provide up to four roadside service calls per member per membership year, and towing is one of the services that can use a call. Some memberships or renewal programs may offer variations, so confirm with your local club.

Is there a waiting period or same-day fee for new AAA members?

In some regions, yes. Certain clubs impose short waiting periods for upgraded benefits (like longer-distance towing), and some may charge a same-day service fee if you join and immediately request roadside assistance. Check your club’s membership terms before signing up in an emergency.

Does AAA towing cover RVs, motorcycles, and trailers?

AAA often offers RV and motorcycle roadside options (and, in some regions, trailer-related benefits), but eligibility rules can be strict. Vehicle weight, configuration (like dual-wheel setups), and required riders can affect coverage. Verify your plan details before you rely on towing for an RV or specialty vehicle.