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Roadside Assistance to the Rescue

Kyle Marra
Kyle Marra 5 Min Read
Person looking under hood of car on side of road, holding smartphone

Article overview

Roadside emergencies can strike anytime—AAA is ready to help you get moving again. Services include flat tire changes; dead battery testing; boost or replacement; fuel delivery; lockout service; towing and more.

  • EV drivers benefit from mobile charging services in select cities.
  • Bicyclists and windshield wiper issues are also covered in some areas.
  • Members receive up to four service calls per year, with benefits tied to your Membership tier (Classic, Plus, Premier).
  • AAA Roadside offers fair pricing, 24/7 service and also offers trusted repair through AAA-owned Car Care locations and AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities.
  • Your Membership follows you, not your car—so you’re covered even when riding as a passenger.

Why roadside assistance matters

Nothing derails your day like getting stuck on the side of the road. While other drivers zoom past without a care in the world, you're left stranded in the elements, scrambling for a solution to get moving again and salvage your plans. Without roadside assistance, you could be facing an expensive tow—and that's before any repair bills come into play.

For AAA Member, help is just a tap—or a phone call—away. With AAA Roadside Assistance, you get fast, reliable emergency service whenever trouble strikes. Whether it’s a flat tire, lockout, empty tank, dead battery or total vehicle failure, AAA roadside help is there to get you back on the road quickly and safely.

AAA Membership tiers

Depending on your state and AAA Membership level you may be eligible for certain roadside services that other tiers may not provide. Here’s an overview of Membership tiers:

What AAA covers for roadside assistance

AAA Roadside Assistance provides battery service, flat tire change, fuel deliver, vehicle locksmith, extrication, and in some locations, AAA offers windshield wiper replacement, EV mobile charging and bicycle service.

Expect something more

Let AAA be your #1 vehicle passenger.

With AAA, roadside assistance is always a click or call away.

Don't be stranded
Closeup of flat tire on a red car.

Don’t be stranded: AAA flat tire assistance

If your tire winds up flat after hitting a sharp object, and you are not confident switching to your spare on your own, AAA can help. Our skilled technicians will assist with:

  • Inflating low tires
  • Installing your spare
  • Initiating a tow if your spare is missing or deemed unsafe to use.

Our technicians are available 24/7 and will respond rapidly and safely whether you’re close to home or miles away. If your vehicle requires a tow, it can be taken to a AAA-owned Car Care Center or AAA Approved Auto Repair facility, where your tire will be repaired or replaced.


Locked your keys in the car! Vehicle lockout help from AAA

If you find yourself stuck on the outside of your locked vehicle while your keys taunt you from the cup holder, don’t worry, AAA has you covered. Our roadside team includes skilled locksmiths who can unlock most vehicles on-site.

AAA Membership includes a vehicle lockout service to help get you back on the road. Just share your location, and we'll send a qualified service provider to assist you. If a professional locksmith is needed, AAA may cover part of the cost, with the reimbursement amount depending on your membership tier.

If your lock proves impenetrable, you may be eligible for locksmith reimbursement. If entry cannot be achieved on-site, your vehicle can be sent to one of our AAA-owned Car Care Centers or AAA Approved Auto Repair facilities for further inspection. 

Car dashboard light indicating fuel gauge on empty

Out of gas? Get fuel with AAA Roadside help

If you’ve pushed the limits of your fuel light and lost, you know what it feels like to be stranded miles from a gas station. Sure, you could walk, but you don’t have to. AAA will bring you enough fuel to get you to the nearest gas station. When you schedule your service, be sure to let us know if your vehicle requires diesel or gas so your technician can be prepared. However, it is important to note that diesel may not be available in all areas.

With the Amazon Alexa app, you can request roadside assistance. Say, “Alexa, open AAA Road Service.” Or use the Google Assistant app and say, “Talk to Roadside Service.”

Tech talks
AAA Mobile Electric Charge Vehicle

EV charging via AAA’s Mobile EV battery charging service

Just because an EV doesn’t have a gas gauge doesn’t mean you haven’t given your battery’s low charge warning the same treatment. If your vehicle’s power consumption leaves you stranded, AAA offers specialized trucks equipped with mobile electric vehicle chargers (in select locations). Once you’ve gotten enough juice to get your tires rolling again, use the AAA Mobile app to find a charging station near you to top off your charge. 


Note: This program is not available nationwide yet. We are currently testing the program in the following cities:

  • Orlando, FL
  • Nashville, TN
  • Charlotte, NC
  • Denver, CO
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Avon, MA
  • Providence, RI
  • West Springfield, MA
  • Bend, OR
  • Portland, OR
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • San Francisco, CA
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Harrisburg, PA
  • Peabody, MA

As consumers continue to explore or adopt electric vehicles, we will continue exploring solutions for keeping them on the road. 

AAA’s mobile vehicle battery charging and battery replacement services

If your battery dies or shows signs of aging, AAA can assist you in a few ways.

  • Roadside replacements: If your vehicle won’t start, AAA’s mobile battery service will come to you. A technician will test your battery free of charge and, if needed, offer a fairly priced replacement backed by a three-year warranty.
  • Repair Shop Replacement: If your vehicle can still be driven, bring it to a AAA-Owned Car Care center or AAA Approved Auto Repair facility for a new battery purchase. These batteries come with professional installation by expert technicians.
  • DIY: If you prefer to be a little more hands-on, AAA can still help. NAPA Auto Parts stores offer AAA branded vehicle batteries that you can purchase and install yourself.

If you’re curious about the cost of a new battery, take advantage of our free battery quote. To get real-time replacement costs, enter your vehicle's year, make and model.

Undriveable vehicle? Try our towing service

If you’ve had a crash and your car is undrivable, or if a major system has broken down and stopped your vehicle in its tracks, AAA towing services will get you safely off the road and conveniently dropped off at a vetted repair facility.

As a AAA Member you can take advantage of nationwide towing services. If the vehicle you’re riding in is no longer able to move, whether from an accident, mechanical issue or some unknown cause, you can take advantage of our 24/7 roadside assistance program.

You don’t even have to be the one driving the vehicle to use your benefits. As a AAA Member, you can have peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to pay out of pocket for your tow as long as it stays within the allocated mileage of your membership tier.

If you have your vehicle towed to one of our AAA-Owned Car Care Centers, you can enjoy exclusive benefits and savings:

  • Fair pricing – You will have peace of mind knowing all work will come with a written estimate, and a guarantee that your final bill will not exceed the estimate by more than 10%.
  • Priority service – At AAA-owned Car Care facilities, your vehicle is guaranteed to be checked within one hour of arrival.
  • Discounted labor – Members will receive 10% off labor costs, though some areas may cap the discount at $75. Be sure to check with the service center to confirm what limitations are in place.
  • Free maintenance inspection – Be sure to take advantage of your free maintenance inspection with any paid service.
  • AAA advocates – If there are any disputes with the maintenance facility, AAA will act as the mediator to remove some of the headaches.

See clearly while you drive: AAA’s windshield wiper replacement

If you have a roadside technician coming to service your vehicle, be sure to take advantage of our windshield wiper replacement service. While you cannot schedule roadside assistance for replacement wiper blades alone, they can be added to most roadside assistance calls in select AAA metro areas. We offer exclusive membership pricing per blade installed on NAPA Proformer Beam blades. We will even top off your wiper fluid at no additional cost.

AAA bicycle assistance service

As a AAA Member, your benefits extend to your bicycle if you are in select states. If you’re on a ride and your bike becomes disabled, we’ve got your back.

This service covers all bicycles, including tandems, trailers pulled by bicycles and rental bicycles. We may not work on the bikes, but we will make sure to take you to someone who does. However, transportation is only provided to the rider whose bike is disabled, not to any others in their party.

With millions of members and 70+ years of service, we are well equipped to keep you on the road. If you get stuck, stranded or suffer a mechanical failure, our professional technicians can either get you going or get you somewhere that can get you going. Here are some key facts about our memberships:

  • AAA Members are entitled to four service calls a year. After that, charges are applied.
  • Membership only covers those whose name is on the membership card. It doesn’t automatically extend to other family members, but they can be added as associate members. However, if you are a passenger in someone else’s car, you can use it to help them in a pinch.

Not a AAA Member yet? Don’t wait. You don’t want to miss out on these exclusive benefits. They will save you money and keep you off the road.

Expect something more

Let AAA be your #1 vehicle passenger.

With AAA, roadside assistance is always a click or call away.

Don't be stranded

Frequently asked questions about AAA Roadside Assistance

AAA Roadside Assistance covers flat tires, dead batteries, fuel delivery, vehicle lockouts, mechanical breakdowns and towing. In select areas, services also include EV mobile charging, bicycle transport and windshield wiper replacement.

Each AAA Member is entitled to four service calls per year. Additional calls may result in charges.

AAA Membership follows you, not your vehicle. You’re covered even if you're a passenger in someone else’s car.

Yes, but distance limits vary by Membership tier, which depends on the state you reside in.

AAA can send a technician to unlock your vehicle. If a locksmith is required, reimbursement amounts vary by tier. Premier Members receive the highest coverage.

Not yet. It’s currently offered in select metro areas, including Orlando, San Francisco, Denver, Philadelphia and availability is expanding.

Yes! If you're riding a bicycle in states where it’s a AAA Member benefit and your bike becomes disabled, we’ll transport you (but not others in your group) to a repair facility.

Not as a standalone service, but if you're already receiving roadside assistance, you can request NAPA-brand blades in select areas at special AAA Member pricing.

Offer valid through 9/02/2025. Offer valid for Classic/Basic Memberships only. Pricing valid at member join only. Offer excludes Motorcycle coverage. Payment of full AAA Membership dues is required upon renewal. Offers, terms, conditions and restrictions apply and are subject to change without notice. Not combinable with any other offer. Offer not valid in FL, GA, MI or PR. A member can add one eligible family member for free for up to one year. Additional Associates are half price. Associate memberships are available to the Primary member’s spouse, one other adult living in the household, and their children living at the same residence or away at school. Associate members must have the same type of membership as their Primary member, with the exception of Motorcycle. Associate membership expires on the renewal date of Primary member.

Upon activation and with proper identification, AAA will provide regular AAA services and full privileges for the new member. Roadside benefits begin three days after payment of dues. Some restrictions apply. Roadside assistance is provided by independent facilities contracted by AAA. Coverage in taxis, limousines and other ride-sharing conveyances is excluded. Visit AAA.com/MemberHandbook for details about member benefits, including any limitations or restrictions. Offers, terms, conditions and policies are subject to change without notice. Savings partners subject to change. Source: 2023 AAA U.S. Market Track national surveys. Includes service vehicles owned by clubs and service vehicles owned by third parties under contract with AAA to provide services to AAA members. Taxes, fees & options excluded. Terms apply. Partners and offers are subject to change and restrictions apply. For a complete list of offers, visit us online at AAA.com/Save or your local AAA office.