Is a AAA Membership Worth It?

Last Updated on December 21, 2025

AAA is best known for roadside assistance, but a membership can also unlock travel discounts, driver resources, and other perks through your local auto club. The big question is whether the annual fee is worth it for your driving habits.

In general, AAA tends to be worth it if you drive often, take road trips, have an older vehicle, or want roadside coverage that follows you (not just your car). If you rarely drive or already have strong roadside coverage through another source, it may be unnecessary.

Key Takeaways

• AAA membership usually follows the person, not the vehicle—so you can often use it even if you’re riding with someone else.
• AAA is often worth it for frequent drivers, road-trippers, and older vehicles—especially if you’d benefit from longer towing mileage (like ~100 miles on many Plus plans).
• Insurance-company roadside add-ons are often cheaper, but they may offer more limited towing and can be less “portable” than a membership club.
• AAA pricing and benefits vary by local club, so always compare your local tier benefits (miles, service-call limits, reimbursements) before joining.

What Is AAA?

AAA (American Automobile Association) is a federation of regional motor clubs that’s been around for more than a century. It’s best known for emergency road service, but many clubs also provide travel planning, discounts, driver education, and member services. If you’re curious about the organization’s origins, read the history and background behind AAA.

How AAA Membership Works

AAA is different from most insurance-company roadside add-ons because membership is typically tied to the person, not a specific vehicle.

• Coverage usually follows the member. In many cases, you can use AAA whether you’re driving your own car or riding with someone else (as long as you’re present for service).
• Service calls are limited per membership year. Most clubs offer a set number of service calls (often four). A tow counts as a service call, but so can a lockout, flat tire change, or battery jump.
• Benefits vary by region. AAA clubs set pricing and benefit details locally, so towing miles, lockout reimbursement limits, and trip benefits can differ.
• Special vehicles may require add-ons. RV and motorcycle coverage often costs extra and may have its own rules.

What Roadside Services Does AAA Typically Include?

Exact benefits depend on your club and membership tier, but AAA roadside assistance commonly includes:

• Towing up to your plan’s mileage limit (you typically pay anything beyond that limit).
• Lockout help (useful if you misplace a key or fob—see lost keys coverage basics for cost context).
• Fuel delivery (delivery is usually covered; you generally pay for the fuel itself).
• Battery jumpstarts (and sometimes limited battery-related discounts or replacements depending on club offerings).
• Flat tire service (if you have a usable spare; tire damage itself is a separate issue—see tire damage coverage).
• Winching/extraction (often with limits; off-road recoveries may not be covered).
• Key and lock services may have reimbursement caps—especially for newer smart keys (related: AAA help for locked keys in the car).

AAA Membership Levels and Typical Costs

AAA pricing varies a lot by region, promotions, and whether you add household members. As a ballpark, many clubs price their tiers roughly like this:

• Classic (or Basic): Often around $60–$90 per year. This tier usually includes a limited tow mileage allowance (commonly around 3–7 miles, depending on the club) plus basic roadside services.
• Plus: Often around $90–$140 per year. Plus typically increases towing mileage substantially (commonly up to ~100 miles per tow) and may increase certain reimbursements.
• Premier: Often around $120–$180 per year. Premier usually adds the highest towing benefits (often including one longer-distance tow per year) plus extra trip-related benefits, depending on the club.

Tip: If you’re deciding based on price, check your local club’s exact membership benefits and terms before enrolling. It’s also smart to ask whether household members can be added at a discount and whether an enrollment fee applies.

AAA vs. Insurance Roadside vs. Pay-Per-Use

AAA is only one way to get roadside help. Insurance-company roadside assistance is often inexpensive and convenient, but benefits can be more limited than membership programs. If you’re shopping broadly, you can also compare options across other auto insurance companies and decide whether an insurer add-on or a separate roadside membership makes more sense for your driving habits.

When a AAA Membership Is Usually Worth It

• You drive frequently, commute long distances, or take road trips and want higher towing mileage.
• You have an older vehicle (or multiple vehicles) and want a reliable “plan” for towing, jumpstarts, and lockouts.
• You want roadside coverage that can follow you even if you’re in someone else’s vehicle.
• You’d actually use the extra perks (travel discounts, rental discounts, etc.), which can help offset the annual fee.

When AAA Might Not Be Worth It

• You rarely drive and would rather pay for roadside help only when needed.
• Your vehicle already includes roadside service through a warranty, connected-services plan, or another membership.
• You only need very basic towing and your insurance add-on covers it at a much lower cost.

Extra AAA Perks That Can Tip the Value

AAA can be more than roadside assistance if you actually use the add-ons. Depending on your club, membership may help you save on travel and transportation-related costs.

• Discounts on travel and rentals (for example, see how AAA rental car discounts can work).
• Driver education resources and safety programs (related: defensive driving course discounts).
• Potential insurance-related discounts with some AAA partners (learn more about AAA car insurance discounts).
• Some higher tiers include trip interruption-style benefits that can help during breakdowns away from home (context: emergency travel expense coverage).

AAA Drawbacks to Keep in Mind

No roadside program is perfect. With AAA, the most common downsides are the yearly fee, service-call limits, and the fact that benefits (and response times) can vary by region, weather, and demand. If response time is a big concern for you, here’s a deeper look at how long AAA can take to respond.

Alternatives to AAA

If AAA isn’t a fit, you still have options. Start by looking at what you already have (insurance add-ons, warranty roadside, credit card benefits), then compare against a membership club or pay-per-use providers. For a broader breakdown, see these AAA alternatives. If you’re deciding between membership clubs specifically, here’s a comparison: AAA vs. Good Sam.

FAQs About AAA Membership

Bottom Line: Is a AAA Membership Worth It?

A AAA membership is usually worth it when you value higher towing mileage, want roadside assistance that follows you (not just your car), and expect to use it at least occasionally—especially if you also take advantage of member discounts. If you drive very little or already have solid roadside coverage elsewhere, a cheaper insurance add-on or pay-per-use service may make more financial sense.