Is AARP’s Roadside Assistance Program Good?
Last Updated on October 4, 2026
Roadside assistance can be a lifesaver when you’re dealing with a dead battery, a flat tire, a lockout, or a breakdown far from home. If you’re considering AARP’s option, it’s important to understand what you’re actually buying: a roadside membership-style program (not an auto insurance policy add-on) with benefits that follow you in many vehicles—including rentals and borrowed cars.
AARP members can access roadside protection through Allstate, and it can be a strong fit for people who travel often and want 24/7 help without tying the benefit to a single vehicle. If you’re already paying for an AARP membership, it’s worth comparing this option against the roadside coverage you may already have through your auto insurer, credit card, or vehicle warranty.
Our Rating of AARP Roadside Assistance Program
4.1
out of 5
★★★★☆
Summary
Bottom line: AARP Roadside Assistance is a solid choice for drivers who want coverage that follows them rather than a single car.
The AARP Roadside Assistance Program is a roadside membership benefit offered through Allstate, providing help for common breakdown situations like towing, jump-starts, flat tires, lockouts, fuel delivery, and winching. Coverage is available 24/7, works in many vehicles including rentals or borrowed cars, and comes in multiple plan tiers with different towing and service-call limits. While it is not tied to an auto insurance policy, members should review plan limits carefully, especially for towing distance, trip interruption benefits, and the number of service events allowed per year.
Best for
- Drivers who want roadside coverage that follows the member, not the vehicle
- Frequent travelers using rental or borrowed cars
- AARP members comparing alternatives to insurance add-ons
Not ideal for
- Drivers who only want a low-cost roadside add-on tied to one car
- People who need very high towing limits without upgrading plans
- Those who rarely drive or already have overlapping roadside benefits
- Our Rating of AARP Roadside Assistance Program
- What Is AARP?
- Who Provides AARP Roadside Assistance?
- What Does AARP Roadside Assistance Cover?
- Plan Options and Key Differences
- How Much Does AARP Roadside Assistance Cost?
- How to Use AARP Roadside Assistance
- How AARP Roadside Assistance Compares to AAA and Auto Insurance Add-Ons
- Is AARP Roadside Assistance Worth It?
- Before You Enroll: Quick Checklist
- FAQs About AARP Roadside Assistance
- Sources
What Is AARP?
AARP (originally the American Association of Retired Persons) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization founded in 1958. It focuses on issues and resources that impact people as they age, and it has a nationwide footprint with millions of members. AARP says it does not endorse or oppose political candidates or parties.
Despite the “50+” reputation, AARP membership is open to adults 18 and older. Some benefits (especially certain insurance products) can be restricted by law or contract, but many discounts and programs are available regardless of age.
Who Provides AARP Roadside Assistance?
AARP roadside protection is offered through Allstate’s roadside program. This is separate from Allstate auto insurance, and you don’t necessarily need an Allstate car insurance policy to buy a roadside membership.
If you’re comparing providers, keep in mind that Allstate is also one of the bigger players in the insurance space (see a list of major car insurance companies).
Need help during a roadside emergency? The AARP Roadside Assistance from Allstate plan terms give 1-800-555-1121 as the service line, available 24 hours a day in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. You can also open the Allstate app and tap roadside, go to roadside.allstate.com, or call Allstate Roadside at 1-800-347-8880 during its staffed hours.
What Does AARP Roadside Assistance Cover?
Coverage varies by plan and state, but roadside memberships commonly include help for the most common “can’t-drive” situations, such as:
- Towing: Covered up to the distance in your plan. Allstate lists 10 miles on Roadside Assist, up to 25 miles on Roadside Advantage and up to 100 miles on Roadside Elite (read October 4, 2026). Learn more about how towing coverage typically works: does car insurance cover towing?
- Fuel delivery: Help if you run out of gas (you may still pay for the fuel). Related: will auto insurance deliver gas if you run out?
- Battery jump-starts: Assistance if your battery dies. Related: will auto insurance pay to jumpstart your car?
- Lockout service: Help if you’re locked out of your vehicle (reimbursement limits can apply). Related: will auto insurance pay for a locksmith?
- Winching: If your car is stuck in mud, snow, or a ditch (limits and conditions apply). Related: will auto insurance cover winching?
- Flat tire help: Changing your tire with your spare (or towing if you don’t have one).
Roadside Advantage and Roadside Elite also carry a $1,500 trip interruption benefit, reimbursed for up to three days of expenses or until the car is fixed, whichever comes first. Roadside Assist does not include it. Here’s a primer on what trip interruption coverage generally means: will auto insurance cover emergency travel expenses?
Plan Options and Key Differences
Allstate sells the AARP roadside membership in three tiers, and AARP members save up to 20% on them. Here is what Allstate published on October 4, 2026:
- Roadside Assist — $5.50 a month for the first year, 10-mile towing, up to three rescues a year, no trip interruption benefit.
- Roadside Advantage — $7.00 a month for the first year, up to 25-mile towing, up to three rescues a year, $1,500 trip interruption.
- Roadside Elite — $10.92 a month for the first year, up to 100-mile towing, up to five rescues a year, $1,500 trip interruption.
What to look at when comparing plans:
- Towing limit: How far (or how much) the plan will cover per tow.
- Service call limit: How many “rescues” you can use per membership year. Allstate lists three a year on Assist and Advantage and five on Elite.
- Lockout and winching limits: Whether there’s a dollar cap or distance/conditions requirement.
- Trip interruption: Whether reimbursement is included and what triggers eligibility (often distance-from-home rules apply).
How Much Does AARP Roadside Assistance Cost?
On October 4, 2026, Allstate’s AARP page priced the entry plan at $5.50 a month for the first year, with Roadside Advantage at $7.00 and Roadside Elite at $10.92. Those are promotional first-year prices, and they move, so check the AARP benefit page for today’s number before you enroll. For comparison, Allstate’s non-AARP page lists Roadside Assist at $75 for the first year and $78 after that.
Even if the upfront cost looks higher than an auto insurance add-on, the value can be strong if you use the benefit more than once—or if you like that it can follow you in many vehicles. For a broader overview of what roadside assistance is (and how it compares across providers), see: all about emergency roadside assistance coverage.
How to Use AARP Roadside Assistance
If you need help, have the following ready so dispatch goes faster:
- Your membership information (if applicable)
- Your exact location (mile marker, cross street, or GPS pin)
- Your vehicle details (make/model/color/plate)
- A brief description of the issue (won’t start, flat tire, locked out, etc.)
You can request this one in the Allstate app or at roadside.allstate.com, which lets you share your location instead of describing it. If you prefer phone support, calling is usually the fastest option in urgent situations.
How AARP Roadside Assistance Compares to AAA and Auto Insurance Add-Ons
Here’s a practical way to compare AARP/Allstate roadside against other common options. The “best” choice depends on whether you want coverage that follows the driver (membership-style) or the car (insurance add-on).
| Option | Usually Covers | Best For | Watch Outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARP Roadside (via Allstate) | Often follows the member in many vehicles (including rentals/borrowed cars) | Travelers, households with shared vehicles, people who want membership-style coverage | Towing is capped by tier (10, 25 or 100 miles) and rescues are capped at three a year on the two lower plans |
| AAA | Membership-style coverage, with towing distance set by tier. At AAA Mountain West Group: Classic $64.99 a year with 5-mile tows, Plus $99.99 with 100-mile tows, Premier $124.99 with one 200-mile tow a year | Drivers who want established club benefits, travel discounts, and higher towing limits at upper tiers | Dues and benefits are set by each club, so the numbers above are AAA Mountain West Group’s and your club’s may differ |
| GEICO / Progressive / State Farm roadside add-on | Tied to the insured vehicle. GEICO tows up to 15 miles to the nearest qualified repair facility, Progressive within a 15-mile radius, State Farm to the nearest repair facility | Drivers who want a simple add-on bundled with their auto policy | May be more limited than a motor club; using it can sometimes be treated like a claim (ask how it’s handled) |
| USAA roadside add-on | Tied to the insured vehicle. The USAA policy form filed in Maine covers mechanical labor up to one hour at the breakdown site | Eligible members who want roadside bundled with their policy | Eligibility requirements apply; towing limits and service rules vary by state/policy |
Is AARP Roadside Assistance Worth It?
AARP’s roadside option can be worth it if you drive frequently, take road trips, or simply want an easy 24/7 backup plan. It can also be appealing for older drivers who want predictable help and a straightforward process—especially since breakdowns and minor emergencies can happen to anyone.
My advice is to check what you already have before you pay for this. Count up the roadside benefits sitting in your auto policy, your credit card and your car’s warranty first. If none of them tows more than about 15 miles and you drive long distances, the 100-mile tow on the top plan is the part worth paying for.
If you’re in your 50s or beyond, it’s also smart to check whether your age bracket is already lowering your auto insurance costs—then decide whether you want roadside coverage as an add-on or as a separate membership: is auto insurance cheaper for drivers in their 50s?
Before You Enroll: Quick Checklist
- Confirm towing limits: distance or dollar cap per event, and whether you can request a preferred shop.
- Confirm service-call limits: how many rescues are included per year.
- Check what counts as a “service event”: multiple services in one incident may count as one event (or not), depending on terms.
- Check vehicle eligibility: RVs, trailers, and commercial-use vehicles can have restrictions.
FAQs About AARP Roadside Assistance
Sources
Checked October 4, 2026. AARP: Allstate Roadside member benefit, About AARP. Allstate: AARP roadside plans and pricing, Roadside Assistance, Roadside Assistance FAQ, Roadside Assistance membership plans, AARP Roadside Assistance from Allstate plan terms (PDF). AAA Mountain West Group: membership tiers and dues. GEICO: Emergency Roadside Service. Progressive: roadside assistance. State Farm: Emergency Road Service coverage. State of Maine: USAA auto policy form (PDF).
