How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- AAA remains the default choice for most drivers thanks to its huge service network and tiered towing distances up to 200 miles.
- Good Sam is the strongest pick for RVers and road trippers, with unlimited towing distance to the nearest service center on its top plans.
- The cheapest coverage is usually an add-on to your existing auto policy, often just a few dollars per vehicle per year, but towing is usually limited to the nearest shop.
- Better World Club is the standout for cyclists, EV drivers, and environmentally minded members, with carbon-neutral service and a dedicated bike plan.
- Check the service-call limit and the tow mileage before you buy, since those two numbers decide whether a plan actually saves you money in a real breakdown.
Quick comparison
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The best roadside assistance services
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
AAA is the name most drivers already know, and for good reason. Its network of contracted service vehicles is the largest in the country, which matters when you break down somewhere unfamiliar at night. Membership tiers run from Classic, with a 5-mile tow, through Plus at 100 miles to Premier at 200 miles, and most plans include four service calls a year covering jump starts, flat tires, fuel delivery, lockouts, and winching.
The catch is that AAA is a federation of regional clubs, so prices and some benefits differ by ZIP code. Recent comparisons put Classic roughly in the $60 to $75 a year range, with Plus and Premier higher, and some clubs charge a one-time enrollment fee for new members. Roadside benefits also begin a few days after payment, so you cannot join at the roadside and get an immediate free tow. For drivers who want the widest coverage and do not mind paying a bit more, AAA is still the benchmark everything else is measured against.
What we like- Deepest service network in the US
- Plus and Premier tiers tow up to 100 and 200 miles
- Travel and retail discounts included
Watch out for- Price and exact mileage vary by regional club
- Classic tier tows only 5 miles
- Four service calls a year on most plans
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Good Sam has protected travelers since 1966, and its roadside plans are built around people who cover real distance. The headline benefit is unlimited towing distance to the nearest service center, which removes the mileage anxiety that comes with cheaper plans. Service calls are generally unlimited too, and coverage extends to household family members, so one membership can cover a spouse and teen drivers at the same address.
Where Good Sam pulls ahead is RV coverage. Its technicians and dispatchers understand motorhomes, trailers, and fifth wheels, and the broader Good Sam membership adds campground discounts and travel benefits that regular drivers will never use but RVers value. For a commuter who never leaves the city, a cheaper insurer add-on may make more sense. For anyone towing a trailer or planning cross-country trips, Good Sam is the plan to beat.
What we like- Unlimited towing distance to the nearest service center
- Covers the whole household
- Strong RV expertise
Watch out for- Best value is tied to RV and travel lifestyle
- Standard auto-only plans are less distinctive
Starting price$69.95/year
Free planNo
Better World Club is the only certified B Corp auto club in the US, and its service is fully carbon neutral. Basic Auto costs $69.95 a year with towing up to 5 miles, while Premium Auto at $119.95 a year extends towing to 100 miles. Both include jump starts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, lockout service, and winching. A separate bicycle and e-bike plan at $44.95 a year covers 30-mile transport, and EV drivers get a 10 percent discount on roadside plans.
Coverage follows you rather than your car, so you are covered in any vehicle you are driving or riding in, including a rental or a friend's car. The honest weakness is scale: the provider network is smaller than AAA's, so response times in rural areas can vary, and there is no app for requesting help, you call in by phone. For cyclists, EV owners, and drivers who want their membership to match their values, those trade-offs are easy to accept.
What we like- Carbon-neutral service
- Dedicated bicycle and e-bike plan
- EV discount
- Coverage follows the member, not the car
Watch out for- Smaller provider network than AAA
- No dedicated app, requests are by phone
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Allstate Motor Club works as a standalone membership, so you do not need an Allstate auto policy to join. Plans include the usual jump starts, tire changes, fuel delivery, and lockouts, with towing distances that rise by tier, and higher tiers add trip interruption coverage that helps with lodging and meals if a breakdown strands you far from home. Family coverage is available, which keeps the per-person cost reasonable for households.
The limits are worth reading before you buy. Lower tiers tow around 10 miles, and service calls are capped at three to five a year depending on tier, which is tighter than Good Sam's unlimited approach. Pricing also varies, with recent comparisons putting plans roughly in the $59 to $111 a year range depending on tier and first-year offers. If you want a traditional motor club with travel perks and you are not tied to AAA, Allstate is a solid alternative.
What we like- Can be bought without an Allstate insurance policy
- Family coverage options
- Trip interruption benefits on higher tiers
Watch out for- Towing mileage is modest on lower tiers
- Service call limits are tighter than Good Sam
#5
AARP Roadside Assistance
Best for: Drivers age 50 and over
Visit aarp.org
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
AARP Roadside Assistance, provided through Allstate, is designed for drivers 50 and older, and its best feature is that coverage follows the member rather than the vehicle. That means you are covered whether you are driving your own car, a borrowed car, or a rental, which is genuinely useful for retirees who travel. Requests can be made by phone or through the app, and AARP members get a discounted rate.
The base plan's towing distance is modest, so long-distance drivers should check the higher tier before buying. You also need to be an AARP member to get the member price, though AARP membership itself is inexpensive and open to anyone 50 or older. For older drivers who want simple, person-follows-you coverage without joining AAA, this is a straightforward pick.
What we like- Coverage follows you in any car, including rentals
- AARP member discounts
- Simple phone or app requests
Watch out for- You need AARP membership for the best price
- Tow mileage is modest on the base plan
#6
GEICO Emergency Road Service
Best for: GEICO policyholders
Visit geico.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
If you already insure with GEICO, Emergency Road Service is the easiest money-saving move on this list. It costs only a few dollars per vehicle per year, it is billed with your policy, and you request help directly from the GEICO mobile app, which already handles claims and ID cards. Services cover towing, jump starts, tire changes, lockouts, and fuel delivery.
The limits are real. Towing typically runs to the nearest qualified repair shop rather than a shop of your choice, and recent comparisons put the included distance around 15 to 20 miles in most states. There is no standalone membership: you must hold a GEICO auto policy. For GEICO customers who mostly drive near home, it is excellent value. For long-distance drivers, pair it with a motor club or accept that a far-from-home tow may cost extra.
What we like- Very cheap add-on, around $14 a year per vehicle in recent comparisons
- Request help through the GEICO app
- No separate membership to manage
Watch out for- Only available to GEICO policyholders
- Towing usually limited to the nearest qualified shop
#7
USAA Roadside Assistance
Best for: Military members and families
Visit usaa.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
USAA serves military members, veterans, and their eligible families, and its roadside assistance is an inexpensive add-on to a USAA auto policy. Recent comparisons put the cost around $12 to $20 a year, with towing up to about 50 miles, which is more generous than most insurer add-ons. Service is consistently rated among the best in the industry, and help can be requested through the USAA app or by phone at any hour.
The obvious limitation is eligibility. If you are not part of the military community, you cannot join, full stop. USAA roadside is also tied to your auto policy rather than sold as a standalone club, so it ends if you leave USAA. For eligible drivers, though, it is one of the best value roadside options available, combining low cost with a tow distance that actually covers most real breakdowns.
What we like- Low-cost add-on for members
- Coverage up to 50 miles in recent comparisons
- Award-winning member service
Watch out for- Membership restricted to the military community and eligible family
- Not sold standalone
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Nationwide's roadside add-on is notable for its household coverage. It covers you and other members of your household, and it extends to you when you are a passenger in someone else's vehicle, which most insurer add-ons do not do. Recent comparisons put the cost around $22 a year with unlimited service calls and winching included, making it one of the best value add-ons for families.
As with other insurer add-ons, you must hold a Nationwide auto policy, and towing is generally to the nearest facility or capped by the tier you choose, so a 100-mile tow to your preferred shop is not part of the deal. For Nationwide customers with several drivers in the house, the household coverage alone makes this worth adding. For everyone else, it is a reason to get a Nationwide quote, not a standalone product you can buy.
What we like- Covers all household members, including as passengers in other cars
- Unlimited service calls in recent comparisons
- Low add-on cost
Watch out for- Only for Nationwide policyholders
- Towing usually to the nearest facility or capped by tier
How we chose
We compared standalone motor clubs against insurer add-ons, since the two categories serve different buyers and the price gap between them is large. For each service we looked at towing distance, annual service-call limits, whether coverage follows the person or the car, RV and motorcycle coverage, and how help is requested. We also weighed network size and public review data on response times, since a cheap plan that leaves you waiting for hours is not a bargain.
Every homepage listed here was opened and confirmed to load and belong to that provider. Prices change often and vary by state, club, and tier, so where a price could not be verified on the vendor's own site we wrote "See website" rather than repeating a possibly outdated figure. The one exception is Better World Club, whose current plan prices are published on its homepage and quoted above.
How to pick the right plan for your driving
The right plan depends less on brand and more on three questions: how far you drive, what you drive, and who else needs coverage.
Start with tow distance
Tow distance is the number that decides whether a breakdown becomes a bill. A 5-mile tow is fine if you break down in town, but it leaves you paying per-mile overage rates on a highway far from home. If you regularly drive between cities, look for 100 miles or unlimited distance to the nearest service center. Good Sam and AAA Premier are the strongest options here, while insurer add-ons generally cap towing at the nearest shop.
Count the service calls
Most motor clubs cap service calls at three to five a year, while some insurer add-ons and Good Sam offer unlimited calls. One bad winter with two dead batteries and a flat tire can use up a capped plan fast, and extra calls are billed at full price. Households with teen drivers or older vehicles should favor unlimited or high-cap plans.
Check who and what is covered
Coverage that follows the person covers you in rentals, borrowed cars, and as a passenger, while coverage tied to a vehicle covers only that car. If your household has several drivers, a plan with family coverage costs far less than separate memberships. RV, motorcycle, and trailer coverage are usually separate tiers, so confirm your vehicle type is included before you assume it is.
Mind the waiting period
Several clubs impose a waiting period of a few days between joining and using roadside benefits, which stops people from joining at the roadside to get a free tow. If your car is already unreliable, join now rather than after the next breakdown. Also check whether your plan covers winching, since a car stuck in mud or snow needs more than a tow truck with a hook.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need roadside assistance if I already have auto insurance?
Not necessarily. Many auto policies offer roadside as an add-on for a few dollars a year, and that may be all you need if you drive locally. A standalone club makes sense if you want longer tows, coverage in any car, RV coverage, or travel perks that an add-on does not include.
How many times can I call for help each year?
It depends on the plan. AAA and Allstate Motor Club typically allow three to five calls a year, while Good Sam and some insurer add-ons offer unlimited calls. Extra calls beyond the limit are usually charged at the provider's standard rate, so check the cap before you buy.
Does roadside assistance cover me in a rental car?
It depends on whether coverage follows the person or the vehicle. AAA, Better World Club, AARP, and Nationwide's household coverage follow you into rentals and borrowed cars. Insurer add-ons tied to a specific vehicle generally do not cover rentals.
How long does it take for help to arrive?
Response times vary by location, time of day, and weather, but most providers aim for under an hour in urban areas. Rural breakdowns and severe weather can push waits longer. Apps with live tracking, such as AAA and GEICO, help you see where your assigned truck is.
Are RVs and motorcycles covered?
Usually only on specific tiers. Good Sam specializes in RVs, and AAA covers motorcycles and RVs on its Premier tier in most clubs. Standard auto plans often exclude larger vehicles, so confirm your vehicle class is covered before relying on a plan for a motorhome or trailer trip.
Can I join at the roadside and get an immediate tow?
Generally no. Most clubs impose a waiting period of a few days after payment before roadside benefits begin, precisely to prevent roadside sign-ups for a free tow. Some providers will still dispatch a truck, but you will pay the standard non-member rate for that call.
Sources we checked (10)
- https://www.aaa.com
- https://www.goodsam.com
- https://www.betterworldclub.com
- https://www.allstate.com
- https://www.aarp.org
- https://www.geico.com
- https://www.usaa.com
- https://www.nationwide.com
- https://www.insurancepanda.com/faq/aaa-alternatives/
- https://www.topconsumerreviews.com/best-roadside-assistance-providers/reviews/better-world-club
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
AAA
Good Sam
Better World Club
Allstate Motor Club
Nationwide Roadside Assistance