What Is the Farthest AAA Will Tow?
Last Updated on January 16, 2026
AAA towing distance depends on your membership level and your local AAA club’s rules. In many areas, the maximum included tow is up to 200 miles on a top-tier plan, while entry-level plans typically cover only a short tow (often 5–7 miles).
Below is a practical breakdown of how AAA towing limits usually work, what “farthest” really means, and how to avoid surprise out-of-pocket charges.
Key Takeaways
- Premier Usually Goes the Farthest: In many AAA regions, top-tier plans can include towing up to 200 miles, often with limits on how many times you can use the longest tow.
- Classic Is Often a Short Tow: Entry-level memberships commonly cover only a few miles of towing, which may be enough in cities but tight in rural areas.
- Know Your “Per Service Call” Rules: Towing miles are typically measured per breakdown incident, and roadside service is also limited by how many service calls you get each membership year.
- Overages Can Get Expensive Fast: If your tow exceeds your included miles, you generally pay the difference at local rates—so confirm your destination and ask for an estimate upfront.
- AAA Towing Limits by Membership Tier
- The Farthest AAA Will Tow
- Where AAA Will Tow Your Vehicle
- How Many Tows Do You Get Per Membership Year?
- What Happens Beyond Your Tow Miles?
- AAA Towing Limits vs. Insurance Roadside Assistance
- How Much Does AAA Membership Cost?
- How Much Towing Coverage Do You Need?
- Other AAA Roadside Services to Know About
- Final Word
- FAQs on AAA Towing Limits
AAA Towing Limits by Membership Tier
AAA offers different tiers of membership. The towing mileage you get “at no extra charge” is usually set per service call, up to your tier’s limit.
| Membership Level | Typical Included Tow Miles (Per Service Call) | What This Means in Real Life |
|---|---|---|
| Classic (Basic) | Often 5–7 miles (varies by club) | Best for city driving and short tows. You may be responsible for miles beyond the included amount. |
| Plus | Up to 100 miles | Often enough to reach a preferred repair shop or get to the next town on many road trips. |
| Premier | Up to 200 miles (often limited to one long tow per membership year) | Designed for long-distance breakdowns. Many clubs provide one 200-mile tow, with remaining tows capped lower (commonly 100 miles). |
Important: AAA clubs may also have destination rules (for example, towing to the nearest qualified repair facility, an AAA Approved Auto Repair location, or a destination of your choosing within your covered mileage). Always check your local club’s terms.
Quick tip: AAA benefits can vary by region. Before a road trip, open your club’s Member Guide (often in the AAA app) and confirm your towing miles, service-call limits, and any waiting period for new memberships.
The Farthest AAA Will Tow
In many AAA regions, the “farthest” included tow is up to 200 miles under a Premier-level membership. However, it’s common for that longest tow to be limited, such as:
- One long-distance tow per membership year: For example, one tow up to 200 miles, with other tows capped at a shorter distance.
- Per-household vs. per-member rules: Some clubs describe the 200-mile benefit as “per household,” while other benefits are tied to each member on the account.
- Vehicle eligibility matters: RV, motorcycle, and specialty vehicle coverage can require add-ons or a specific tier depending on the club.
Where AAA Will Tow Your Vehicle
Most of the time, you can choose where you want to be towed as long as the destination is within your covered mileage and the tow is safe and permissible under local rules.
- Within your miles: Request your preferred shop, your home, or another destination inside the included tow radius.
- Beyond your miles: AAA typically covers up to your limit and you pay the overage directly to the service provider.
- Nearest capable facility: If your requested destination isn’t feasible (closed, unsafe access, or can’t service your vehicle), you may be towed to the nearest appropriate repair facility.
Quick tip: Before the truck rolls, confirm your destination and ask whether the tow is expected to exceed your included miles. If it will, request an estimated overage cost so you’re not surprised at drop-off.
How Many Tows Do You Get Per Membership Year?
AAA commonly limits roadside assistance to a certain number of service calls per membership year (often four). A “tow” usually counts as a service call, along with other services like battery jump starts and lockouts. Some clubs offer additional calls at higher tiers or through specific renewal programs.
| Common Service Call Types | Examples |
|---|---|
| Towing | Breakdown tow to a repair shop or other destination (within covered miles) |
| Battery Service | Jump start, test, or on-site replacement (battery cost may be extra) |
| Tire Service | Install your spare (you typically need a usable spare) |
| Lockout | Help getting back in if keys are locked inside |
| Fuel Delivery | Emergency fuel delivery (fuel cost rules vary by tier/club) |
| Winching/Extrication | Getting a vehicle unstuck (limits vary) |
What Happens Beyond Your Tow Miles?
If the tow exceeds your included mileage, you’ll usually pay the difference directly to the towing provider at the time of service. Rates can vary widely by location and provider (and may include additional fees like hook-up, storage, or after-hours charges). For a deeper look at how charges can work, see our guide to AAA towing costs.
AAA Towing Limits vs. Insurance Roadside Assistance
Many insurers sell roadside assistance as a cheap add-on, but towing limits and how service is delivered can be very different from AAA. Instead of relying on a single “miles” number, compare how each program sets limits and what it covers.
| Provider | How Towing Is Commonly Limited | Where to Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | Mileage-based tiers (Classic/Plus/Premier) with club-specific rules | See the tier table above, then confirm in your local club’s Member Guide |
| Allstate | Often tied to a roadside plan, motor club option, or policy add-on; limits vary by product | Review the specific plan you’re enrolled in |
| GEICO | Typically provided through an emergency roadside add-on; towing details can vary | Check your policy documents and roadside terms |
| State Farm | Often policy add-on based; destination and distance rules depend on plan and state | Confirm what counts as “covered” towing in your state |
| Progressive | Usually an optional coverage tied to the vehicle on the policy | Compare coverage language and any caps |
| Nationwide | Can be a policy add-on or bundled service; towing limits vary | Look for the towing limit and service-call rules |
| Travelers | Commonly an endorsement/add-on with specific caps and rules | Verify details on your declarations and endorsements |
If you’re shopping around, here are some solid AAA alternatives to compare based on how (and how often) you actually drive.
How Much Does AAA Membership Cost?
AAA membership dues vary by club, tier, household size, and promotions. In many areas, you’ll pay an annual fee for Classic/Plus/Premier, and you may see additional costs for add-on coverages (like RV/motorcycle) or additional household members. For the most accurate pricing, check your local AAA club’s membership page or branch.
How Much Towing Coverage Do You Need?
Picking the right towing limit is mostly about where you drive and how far you’d want to be towed if you break down.
| Your Driving Pattern | Usually a Good Fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mostly city/suburban driving near repair shops | Classic (in many areas) | Short tows are often enough when you’re never far from service. |
| Regular commuting plus weekend trips | Plus | 100-mile towing can cover many “stuck between towns” scenarios. |
| Long road trips, rural routes, or “tow me back home” preference | Premier | Higher max tow benefit can be valuable when the nearest quality shop is far away. |
| Motorcycle/RV travel | Depends on your club | Some regions require an add-on or a specific tier for RV and motorcycle towing. |
Other AAA Roadside Services to Know About
Towing is just one part of roadside assistance. If you’re comparing plans, it helps to understand the other “service calls” you might use in a year, including:
- Help with AAA flat tire changes (typically installing your spare)
- AAA lockout services (limits and reimbursements vary by tier/club)
- Battery jump starts, fuel delivery, and winching/extrication (all subject to local rules and limitations)
Final Word
In many areas, the farthest AAA will tow “included” is up to 200 miles with a Premier-level membership—but the exact benefit can vary by AAA club, and long-distance towing may be limited to a certain number of times per year.
Before you depend on AAA for a long tow, confirm your miles per service call, your annual service-call limit, and any vehicle eligibility rules in your local club’s Member Guide.
If you want a definitive answer for your area, contact AAA and ask them to confirm your towing mileage and long-distance tow rules for your specific membership level.
