I wouldn't know if all new cars come with roadside service--I've never owned one. My current car is 7 years old (70K miles and runs great) and the truck that stranded me is 13 years old (80K miles and dead in the water).

Truck was running well until yesterday. I only keep it around to haul stuff from Home Depot, garden center, etc.

Whether or not AAA is worth it to you depends on your circumstances and lifestyle. If you have older vehicles, drive a lot, use maps, like their guidebooks, use products and services they offer discounts on, then it will be worth it to you.

We have been a member with AAA+ for well over 20 years. Like the Tour and Camp books but the maps are leaving a lot to be desired since they started using a different mapping service back around 2000. Now they are leaving to many secondary roads off the map and many road junctions are not in their proper place.... On the several occasions that I have ask for their Trip-Tik I have been disappointed. They don't give much thought when they are making the up. They will sometimes route you hundreds of miles out of your way just to keep you on an Interstate Highway. A good number of the computerized mapping services do the same thing. I would much rather determine the roads I travel myself. Its almost to the point where they are not worth the dues, considering they are not low. When you ask for the AAA discount many hotels and motels will tell you that they give the AAA discount rate to all their customers, that is another sore point with me. I also saw the other day that they are starting to allow nonmembers more access to what at one time was a members only portion of their web site. Members are now getting less for their membership. To end with a point in their favor the Emergency Road Service is very good, the few times that we have needed it they were there in a very short time to provide assistance.

Another positive. At least here, years ago if you used their road service, they would only tow your car to THEIR recommended service station. Now they will tow wherever you say, including a car dealer.

RedRock, most computerized sites will allow you to choose things such as "most scenic" rather than staying on the Interstate. And nearly all will allow you to insert a "via" so you can state a place that's not on the interstate and they they route you through there.

I use the guidebooks when I'm on the road. Here's a typical example: We decide we want to drive another 100 miles or so, and we need to get a new motel room. So we consult the guidebook and its handy list of places to stay, use the phone numbers, call ahead, book the room. It's funny this has turned into a debate. If it's not worth it to you, fine, don't get it. But the question was, is it worthwhile, and for some people it is.

Patrick

I know some of the mapping services offer options with the mapping and have tried them. I seldom drive the Interstate and have tried using listing points in between as well as the most scenic. Those don't work well if you are traveling cross country and not using one of the major US highways or Interstate. The ones designing the software don't allow for much when it comes to variations. I have an old Rand McNally Road Atlas (1966) that I use, found it at a yard sale. The Interstate was no where near completion then and the major US highways are easier to follow. When you have time it makes traveling much more interesting.

"It's funny this has turned into a debate."
"But the question was, is it worthwhile. . .?"

Somehow I don't get these two sentences in the same post. Someone asks a question. People give both sides. If you call that a debate so be it. What's the problem -- did you think only one side should be presented?

sfamylou, your post ends with "for some people it is" (worthwhile). Well for some people it isn't. Why do you seem to think only one side should be presented? Some people are giving reasons they like it and some are giving reasons they don't.

Thanks to all who responded to my original post on this subject. Both of our cars will be out of the manufacturer's warranty (and roadside assistance) as of next month, so your comments will help me decide on AAA or another service (or none). Thanks again.