Store Your Vehicles’ Roadside Assistance Number In Your Phone

Many of you will be traveling over the holidays, and nobody wants to spend part of the trip stranded beside the road. Yet one of the most useful things you can do before leaving takes about a minute: Save your vehicle’s roadside assistance number in your phone.

I am a sucker for people who look like they need help, and I have stopped many times to see if I could assist. On one occasion, a driver had been in a hurry and ran out of gas in a fairly new car. He asked for a lift to a gas station, and I asked whether he had called roadside assistance. His reply was, “I don’t think I have that.” He was driving a two-year-old Camry, and a quick search turned up the number. He called, and the estimated arrival time was less than 10 minutes.

That experience stuck with me because, in the frustration of a breakdown, it is easy to forget about a benefit you may already have.

Many new vehicles include roadside assistance for a specified period, but do not assume your coverage is still active simply because you own the car. Time limits, mileage limits and covered services vary by automaker, model year and program. Check your warranty booklet, the manufacturer’s owner website or your dealership before you need help.

What Does Roadside Assistance Cover?

Common services include battery jump-starts, emergency fuel delivery, lockout assistance, flat-tire changes and towing. However, the details matter. A tire change generally requires a usable spare, and many vehicles do not have one. In that situation, you may need a tow instead. Ask about towing destinations, distance limits and any charges before authorizing service.

Some programs also provide trip interruption benefits that can reimburse eligible expenses for meals, lodging or alternate transportation. Those benefits come with conditions and dollar limits, so call before making arrangements and keep your receipts. Roadside assistance is a useful benefit, but it is not a blank check for an unexpected vacation extension.

If your vehicle has connected services, you may also be able to request assistance through its app or an in-vehicle button. Availability depends on the vehicle, equipment and service plan. Save the telephone number anyway; it gives you another way to request help.

Your Safety Comes First

If trouble develops, move out of traffic as safely as possible and turn on your hazard lights. AAA advises that, under most circumstances, if you have reached a safe location away from traffic, remaining inside with your seat belt fastened is the safest choice while waiting. If there is an immediate danger, call 911 and follow emergency personnel’s instructions. Do not attempt a roadside repair where passing traffic puts you at risk.

When requesting assistance, give the dispatcher your exact location, including the highway, direction of travel, nearest exit or mile marker when available. Have your vehicle identification number, license plate number, vehicle description and callback number ready. Explain the problem as clearly as you can.

Once the Factory Coverage Expires

You still have options, including an auto club such as AAA, an automaker’s extended roadside program or coverage through your insurance company. Do not assume roadside assistance is automatically included because you have what people commonly call “full coverage.” Insurers may offer it as an optional addition. Likewise, some credit cards provide roadside dispatch that you pay for each time you use it, rather than complimentary service. Check the actual benefits before counting on them.

Over the years, I have heard disappointing roadside assistance stories from listeners. My own experiences with several automakers have generally been very good, but arrival times depend on your location and the availability of service providers. An estimate is an estimate, especially during bad weather or busy travel periods.

Keep your phone charged, carry a compatible vehicle charger and consider a charged portable power bank, too. A charger that depends on the car is less helpful when the car’s electrical system is the problem.

Most of all, do this now. Confirm your coverage, save the number and review the information with everyone in your household who drives. Standing beside a disabled vehicle is a lousy time to begin researching your benefits.

U.S. Roadside Assistance Numbers

Below are roadside assistance numbers for many automakers, checked against official manufacturer websites or publications in October 2026. Coverage eligibility and charges vary. Some manufacturers publish separate numbers for electric vehicles or specific models. If your brand is not listed, check your warranty booklet or contact your dealership.

• Acura: (800) 594-8500
• Alfa Romeo: (855) 299-1368
• Aston Martin: (888) 592-7866
• Audi: (800) 411-9988 for core models and electric vehicles; (866) 478-3456 for A8, S8, R8, TT, GT, Q7 and Q9 models.
• BMW: (800) 332-4269
• Buick: (800) 252-1112
• Cadillac: (800) 224-1400; electric vehicles: (844) 515-1420
• Chevrolet: (800) 243-8872; electric vehicles: (888) 811-1926
• Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram: (800) 521-2779
• Fiat: (888) 242-6342
• Ford: (800) 241-3673
• Genesis: (844) 340-9742
• GMC: (888) 881-3302; electric vehicles: (844) 515-1418
• Honda: (866) 864-5211; Clarity Electric and Fuel Cell: (866) 372-5139
• Hyundai: (800) 243-7766
• Ineos Grenadier: (866) 882-6411
• Infiniti: (800) 662-6200
• Jaguar: (800) 452-4827
• Kia: (800) 333-4542
• Land Rover: (800) 637-6837
• Lexus: (800) 255-3987
• Lincoln: (800) 521-4140
• Lucid: (888) 995-8243
• Maserati: (888) 371-1802
• Mazda: (800) 866-1998
• Mercedes-Benz: (800) 367-6372
• Mini: (866) 646-4772
• Mitsubishi: (888) 648-7820
• Nissan: (800) 225-2476
• Polestar: (800) 806-2504, option 2
• Porsche: (800) 767-7243
• Rivian: (844) 748-4264
• Rolls-Royce: (877) 671-3039
• Subaru: (800) 261-2155
• Tesla: (877) 798-3752
• Toyota: (800) 444-4195
• Volkswagen: (800) 411-6688
• Volvo: (800) 638-6586