How Far Will AAA Tow a Car? Classic, Plus & Premier Limits Explained
AAA will tow your car 5 miles (Classic), 100 miles (Plus), or 200 miles (Premier) — but the 200-mile Premier tow is limited to one use per household per year. All towing within your plan limit is free. Miles beyond your limit cost $4–$7 each, billed at the roadside. Here’s the full breakdown so you know exactly what your membership covers before you need it.
Classic: up to 5 miles per call (free). Plus: up to 100 miles per call (free). Premier: one 200-mile tow per household per year, then 100 miles per call after that. All plans include 4 service calls per year and 24/7 availability. Miles over your limit cost $4–$7 each.
AAA Towing Distance by Membership Level (2026)
| Plan | Free Tow Distance | Overage Cost | Annual Calls | Approx. Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | 5 miles per call | $4–$7/mile | 4 | ~$65–$80/yr |
| Plus | 100 miles per call | $4–$7/mile | 4 | ~$110–$130/yr |
| Premier | 1× 200-mile tow/year; 100 miles/call otherwise | $4–$7/mile | 4 | ~$165–$185/yr |
Note: Exact tow mileage and pricing vary by AAA club region. Southern California AAA Classic covers 5 miles; some other clubs cover 7 miles. Always verify with your local club.
What Does AAA Towing Actually Cover?
A few important details that often surprise members:
- Destination choice: You can typically request to be towed to any repair shop of your choice within your tow limit — not just the nearest one. This is an important clarification from the older rule that said “nearest repair shop only.”
- Accident towing: AAA does cover accident towing as long as the vehicle is undrivable and you’re a member. The original article’s claim that “AAA does not cover accident towing” is incorrect.
- Heavy vehicles: Standard AAA towing covers most passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks. RVs, commercial vehicles, and heavy-duty trucks may not be covered or may require a special plan (AAA RV Plus).
- 24/7 service: All membership levels include 24-hour, 365-day service availability.
- 4 service calls per year: This covers all roadside services combined — towing, jump-starts, tire changes, lockout service, and fuel delivery.
Membership Levels: Which AAA Plan Is Right for You?
The Classic plan is suited for drivers who rarely travel far from home and have another backup (like a spouse’s vehicle or public transit nearby). A 5-mile tow gets you to the nearest repair shop in most suburban areas. If you break down on a highway far from a shop, 5 miles may not be enough.
The Plus plan is the most popular tier and the best value for most drivers. 100 miles covers virtually any breakdown scenario — from a rural highway to a distant city. The extra ~$40–$50/year over Classic pays for itself with a single tow beyond 5 miles.
The Premier plan makes sense for frequent long-distance drivers and road-trippers. The 200-mile annual tow benefit is particularly valuable if you regularly drive remote routes. Keep in mind: Premier’s 200-mile benefit is one per household per year. After that first use, tows revert to 100 miles per call (same as Plus). Premier also adds enhanced trip interruption reimbursement and higher locksmith coverage versus Plus.
Cost Factors: What You Pay Over Your Tow Limit
Within your plan’s free tow distance, there is no charge for the tow. Beyond that limit, AAA charges $4–$7 per mile at the time of service. For a Classic member needing a 50-mile tow, the cost would be 45 overage miles × ~$5/mile = approximately $225. That’s roughly the cost of 2 years of Plus membership — which makes upgrading to Plus the better financial decision for most drivers who travel beyond local areas.
If AAA can’t reach you (remote area, no contracted provider), they may authorize a third-party tow and reimburse you up to your plan’s tow benefit. Always keep receipts and call AAA before arranging your own tow for the best chance of reimbursement.
Preparing for a Tow: What to Have Ready
When you call AAA, have these ready: your AAA membership card number (or the app), driver’s license, vehicle make/model/year, your exact location (mile marker + highway direction is most useful), and the destination shop name and address if you have a preference. Before the truck arrives, remove valuables from the car, unlock it if needed for wheel-lock removal, and make sure you’re safely off the road.
Roadside Emergency Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the farthest AAA will tow?
The farthest AAA will tow in a single call is 200 miles — available to Premier members as one use per household per year. After that annual 200-mile tow is used, Premier members receive 100 miles per call for the remainder of the year. Plus members receive 100 miles per call year-round.
How much is AAA long-distance towing?
Within your plan’s free limit, towing costs nothing. Beyond your limit, AAA charges $4–$7 per mile at the scene. A Classic member needing a 50-mile tow would pay roughly $200–$315 in overage charges — which is why upgrading to Plus ($40–$50 more per year) is the smarter financial choice for most drivers who travel any significant distance.
How far will other roadside assistance programs tow your car?
Most car insurance company roadside assistance programs tow 10–25 miles for free. Good Sam (for RVs) offers 100 miles. GEICO Emergency Road Service and Progressive’s roadside assistance typically tow to the nearest qualified repair facility within 15–25 miles. AAA Plus and Premier stand out for offering significantly longer free tow distances than most insurance-bundled programs.
Does AAA tow 24 hours a day?
Yes. All AAA membership levels include 24/7 roadside assistance, 365 days a year. Call 1-800-222-4357 or use the AAA mobile app to request service. Average wait times vary by region and time of day — typically 30–60 minutes in urban areas, potentially longer in rural locations.
If you’re comparing roadside plans, also see our guide on whether car insurance covers towing — some policies include roadside assistance that may overlap with AAA benefits.
