How Much Does It Cost: Roadside Assistance (Know Before You Go)

If you’ve ever been stranded on the side of the road, you know what a lifesaver roadside assistance can be. Whether you have a flat tire, need a jump start for a dead battery, or require winching to get out of a snowbank, emergency roadside service can help.
Roadside assistance plans are billed yearly or in monthly installments at an average fee of $30-100 per year, depending on several variables. The following roadside assistance options are tiered based on cost and coverage. They reflect pricing when you purchase a plan independently of an add-on to your credit card, car insurance, or cell phone plan.
Basic plan
A basic plan through motor clubs like AAA costs $45-65 per year, on average, and typically covers:
Vehicle towing up to 4-5 miles
Locksmith services at 3-5 service calls per year ($40-60 value)
Flat tire changes
Emergency fuel delivery (you pay for the fuel)
Battery jump start (or $20-30 discount on a new battery)
Trip interruption coverage of $200-300 for non-refundable trip expenses such as flights and hotels due to qualified events like injury or natural disaster
Premier plan
A premier plan costs $90-120 per year, on average, and will typically cover:
Vehicle towing up to 100 miles
Locksmith services at 3-5 service calls per year ($80-100 value)
Flat tire changes
Emergency fuel delivery (1-3 gallons free)
Battery jump start (or $20-30 discount on a new battery)
Minor mechanical adjustments that a tow truck driver can perform with their tools on hand
Trip interruption coverage of $700-900 for non-refundable trip expenses like flights and hotels due to qualified events like injury or natural disaster
Top-tier plan
A top-tier plan through an independent member organization costs $120-160 per year, on average, and typically covers:
Vehicle towing up to 200 miles (including motorcycles and RVs) with a one-day car rental included
Locksmith services at 6 service calls per year ($150 value)
Flat tire changes
Emergency fuel delivery (2 gallons free)
Battery jump start (or $20-30 discount on a new battery)
Minor mechanical adjustments that a tow truck driver can perform with their tools on hand
Trip interruption coverage of $1,500 for non-refundable trip expenses such as flights and hotels due to qualified events like injury or natural disaster
Emergency medical transportation of up to $25,000, including air and ground ambulance
Cost of roadside assistance without a roadside service plan
Without a roadside assistance plan, the cost of emergency roadside services can add up quickly. For example, a single visit from a tow truck driver can cost more than the annual fee for basic roadside assistance coverage. The following are common roadside assistance services and their prices when purchased outside of a plan.
Towing service. Most tow truck drivers have a hook-up fee, minimum roadside service fee, or minimum charge for the first 5-10 miles. Then they’ll tack on a per-mile charge to get your car to a repair shop, depending on the type of vehicle, time of day, and total distance. Average cost without roadside assistance plan: $75-125. See Towing cost guide.
Flat tire. A tow truck will change your flat tire (or tow you to a repair facility to buy a new one). The tow truck driver will likely charge their minimum service fee to change a flat. Average cost without roadside assistance plan: $50-75. See Tire repair cost guide.
Delivery of fuel or oil. Getting fuel or oil delivered will cost the minimum service charge of a tow truck, depending on the distance to get to you. Average cost without roadside assistance plan: $50-75. See Oil change cost guide.
Locksmith services. The cost of calling a mobile locksmith out to your vehicle for lockout service will depend on the distance traveled, the type of vehicle, and whether the lock must be rekeyed. Average cost without roadside assistance plan: $50-150
Battery changes. A battery replacement service can come to you and replace the battery in your car with a new one. Average cost without roadside assistance plan: $100-200
Cost factors
The following factors can increase or decrease the cost of roadside assistance:
Insurance policy add-on. Check with your car insurance company as to whether they include roadside assistance in your policy-or if you can add it on for a nominal fee. These add-ons can be some of the cheapest roadside assistance plans available.
Frequency of use. More expensive plans offer a higher allotment or even unlimited service calls. Less expensive plans have a limit. If you need service beyond your allotted number of calls, each call will cost an additional fee that will depend on your provider. Additional calls may also increase your yearly premiums.
Location. Roadside assistance plans will fluctuate in price depending on where you live, the climate, fuel costs, and other factors that affect the cost to provide roadside assistance services.