Millions of Americans will be driving for road trips this summer. There’s a lot to arrange — destinations, packing lists, pet care — and the checklist keeps growing. One crucial piece of trip planning is figuring out how you’d handle an emergency while traveling. That’s where a roadside assistance plan becomes important.
If you already carry roadside assistance, you’re investing in safety on the highway. But how can you tell if your coverage suits your needs? While many providers include the same core services, the fine print — and the price — can vary widely. Below is a look at leading roadside assistance providers, comparing costs and features so you can bring peace of mind along on your journeys.
What Is Roadside Assistance?
Roadside assistance is a form of protection where a provider sends help to a motorist who is stranded or experiencing vehicle trouble. The premium or fee you pay generally covers the standard services offered.
There’s a key distinction between roadside assistance coverage and roadside dispatch. Coverage typically pays for services directly — for example, if you pay a yearly fee (or a semiannual add-on through your auto insurer), you usually won’t face additional charges when you need help.
Roadside dispatch, on the other hand, arranges for help but often requires you to cover most or all of the bill. Credit card issuers commonly provide dispatch services, which can vary: some levy a flat assist fee, while others simply refer a service and have you pay the total cost.
What Does Roadside Assistance Cover?
Roadside assistance commonly includes the following emergency services:
- Towing
- Tire repair
- Battery jump-starts
- Lockout services
- Winching (extracting a vehicle from a ditch or similar situation)
- Fuel delivery
Beyond those essentials, plans differ. Some limit the number of service calls per year or cap towing mileage at a few miles. Most providers promise prompt assistance across much of North America.
Who Sells Roadside Assistance Plans?
A broad array of companies and organizations provide roadside assistance. Mobile carriers, membership clubs like Costco, automakers and insurance companies all have offerings. You can also buy coverage from standalone providers such as AAA.
Banks and credit card firms may offer pay-per-use dispatch networks. These aren’t typically free when you’re stuck, but they can be useful. For instance, Bank of America’s Visa card provides a 24/7 on-demand referral dispatch network.
Below are several organizations that provide roadside help, along with a comparison of pricing and what they include.
Auto Clubs
AAA
The most recognized roadside assistance group is AAA, formerly the American Automobile Association. Memberships range from $57.75 to $138.75 per year and include four tows annually. AAA supplies the typical roadside services plus discounts and trip-mapping tools — it has expanded well beyond rescuing stranded drivers.
Better World Club
Another option is the Better World Club, which promotes “driving toward a sustainable future.” They claim to provide carbon-neutral roadside help, travel services and insurance. A basic auto membership is about $63 annually and, like AAA, includes four service calls.
Looking for savings? Better World Club waives its enrollment fee if you switch from AAA. It also offers a 10% discount for hybrid and electric cars and has a separate bicycle roadside assistance plan.
Good Sam Roadside Assistance
Good Sam covers cars as well as recreational vehicles like RVs and trailers. Standard plans run roughly $130 to $240 per year; the higher tier includes emergency medical assistance. Good Sam features unlimited towing and family coverage for member-owned vehicles, plus discounts on rentals and hotels.
Your Auto Insurer
Many auto insurers let you add roadside assistance to your policy. The extra cost typically falls between $10 and $40 per year.
Ask your insurer about how they deliver service: can you request help through a mobile app or must you call an agent? Also check towing and locksmith limits, and any usage caps.
If you’re questioning whether your current policy provides enough protection, shop around. Comparing options in one place can save you time and money; drivers who compare often find significant annual savings.
Auto Manufacturers
New vehicles often include roadside assistance. Coverage terms can be time-based (usually two to five years) or mileage-based (commonly 36,000 to 100,000 miles), depending on the maker. Most major automakers provide some form of assistance.
General Motors uses OnStar, which bundles roadside help with features like Wi-Fi and stolen vehicle assistance. Hyundai and GM stood out among manufacturers we reviewed for generous plans; Hyundai, for example, offers five years of unlimited-mileage coverage at no cost.
Tesla offers assistance for the initial four years or up to 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Toyota’s Toyotacare provides two years of roadside coverage regardless of mileage.
Member Organizations
Some membership groups include roadside assistance in their member benefits.
AARP
The AARP provides roadside assistance to members for about $66 per year.
Costco
Costco makes roadside assistance available through its Executive Membership program.
Phone Carriers
Mobile carriers also market roadside help. Verizon charges $5 per month per line, while T-Mobile includes roadside assistance in its SyncUp Drive service for $10 per month.
Which Roadside Assistance Option Is Best for You?
Choosing the right roadside assistance depends on your priorities and habits.
Auto clubs offer added perks — trip planning tools, community features and extra discounts — that can justify their annual fees if you’ll use them.
The most economical route is usually adding roadside coverage to your existing auto insurance. That tends to cost about $40 less per year than many other alternatives.
Getting ready to travel? Keep in mind most programs enforce a waiting period before coverage becomes active. You can’t subscribe while stranded and expect immediate service, so arrange coverage before your trip.
Contributor Lia Greene covers lifestyle and culture topics. She previously owned a café in St. Petersburg, Florida, and hosted an arts show on local community radio for many years.
