Long road trips are exciting adventures that allow you to explore new places, enjoy scenic routes, and create unforgettable memories. However, no matter how well you plan a trip, there are probably unforeseen car issues, and you will find yourself on the side of the road. This is where roadside assistance comes in to the rescue. It could be a flat tire, a dead battery or an engine problem; roadside assistance will have all you need on your way.
Here, we will discuss how the roadside assistance services can be useful on a long trip, why they are something that a traveller must have, and what types of services you can anticipate. Knowing the coverage and advantages of roadside assistance, you will be more confident and ready to spend time in a car the next time.
Why Is Roadside Assistance Important for Long Road Trips?
Taking a long road trip is exciting; however, it is also associated with some risks, particularly when you are going to remote locations or routes that you have never seen. And here is the reason why roadside assistance is so essential on long journeys:
1. Peace of Mind
The last thing you desire in a road trip is to have a concern about possible car troubles. Roadside assistance comes at a peace of mind since one is always assured that in the event of anything, help is at the tip of the phone. It is like you have a safety net on your trip.
- Example: You are driving in a hallowed mountain pass, and your tire bursts. Roadside assistance will have the service car come to change the tire or tow your car to the closest service station so that you are not stuck in an unknown location.
2. Emergency Vehicle Help
Emergencies do occur at any given time and are usually unpredictable. Be it that your car has suddenly malfunctioned or your car has a flat tire, a roadside assistance policy will also make sure that you have emergency vehicle assistance any time you require it.
- Example: When your car overheats during a long trip, you can use the roadside assistance to help you with services such as towing or fixing the car on site and not spend hours with no idea how to deal with it.
3. Availability on Remote Routes
Mechanics and car services are not always readily available in all areas. Roadside assistance is particularly useful in case you are travelling somewhere rural/remote where you might find it difficult to obtain assistance or less quickly to locate. Roadside support is such that you will not spend long hours waiting.
- Example: Think of a situation when you are driving down a desert highway and you cannot see any gas stations or service stations. In case of fuel depletion in your car, a roadside assistance service can deliver fuel to your location and you can continue with your journey without wasting time.

What Services Are Included in Roadside Assistance for Road Trips?
By enrolling in roadside assistance, you will be insured against many forms of emergencies that might arise during your journey. The following are the things that you may usually anticipate in the services of roadside assistance:
1. Tire Change and Repair
A flat tire is one of the most widespread problems that arise during long-distance travel. The roadside assistance will dispatch a technician to your place and change the tire, thus saving you time that would be taken in changing the tire and the danger of destroying your car through driving on a flat tire.
- Example: It happens that you are on a road trip with your family and the tire of your car explodes. You will be able to upgrade the tire in a jiffy as roadside assistance will arrive to change the tire hence you can be able to get back to the road without any hassle.
2. Jumpstart or Battery Service
Another frequent problem that may cause a stalemate situation is a dead battery. In case your battery in your vehicle is dead, roadside assistance will send someone to jump-start your vehicle or give you a spare battery when necessary.
- Example: You are at a stop, and your car is not starting due to a dead battery. You do not have to go out and find assistance or find a local mechanic to jump-start your car; roadside assistance may dispatch someone to jump-start your car.
3. Fuel Delivery
A shortage of fuel may be a significant nuisance, particularly when you are in an isolated place. Roadside assistance provides you with fuel, which helps you get back on the road on short notice. They will come with sufficient fuel to take you to the closest gas station or in other instances, fill up your tank.
- Example: When you are driving on a rural highway and run out of gas, you can dial roadside assistance and they will bring you the fuel that you require to proceed with your journey.
4. Lockout Service
Leaving your keys in the car may spoil your day, particularly when you are on a long journey. Roadside assistance means that someone is at hand to unlock your car and get you on the road, no more.
- Example: You have parked at a scenic lookout, where you are taking photos, and in the excitement to enjoy the scenery, you leave your keys in the car. Roadside service will assist you in unlocking the door fast and recovering the keys.
5. Towing Service
In case your car is too damaged or broken down to be made on-site, roadside assistance will also make a tow to the nearest service station or repair shop. This can particularly come in handy when you are in an area where the nearest town or city is miles away.
- Example: Your car fails without any notice and can not be repaired immediately. Roadside assistance will also help in towing your car to the closest repair centre, hence you will not need to worry about how to get transportation or a mechanic to fix your car.
6. Minor On-Site Repairs
Roadside assistance services will sometimes provide minor repairs on-site, e.g. repairing a loose belt, a hose problem or a simple mechanical problem. They will not be able to do the complicated repair jobs, but most of the time, they will be able to get you to the road until you can reach the mechanic.
- Example: In the case of a small problem with your car, like a broken fan belt, the roadside assistance can likely temporarily fix it and you can continue driving to a proper repair shop.

Benefits of Roadside Assistance During Long Road Trips
Peace of mind being offered by the roadside assistance can be the key when you are going on a long journey by the road. Here are some key benefits:
- Safety: The roadside assistance also helps ensure that you are not stuck in an unsafe or unfamiliar place, since it is a safe and sure way of solving the problems that occur on the road.
- Convenience: Roadside assistance is also an effective way to solve the issue, and with the help of tire replacement, jumpstarting, and towing, you do not have to find a solution yourself and spend much time on it.
- Cost Savings: Roadside assistance will give you the chance to save a lot of money, as the assistance will fix your vehicle in a few moments or tow your vehicle to a repair shop before the minor problems become big issues.
- Stress Reduction: The fact that you have roadside help eliminates the stress of having to be concerned with the possibility of car problems. You have one less thing to worry about when you are out there on your trip.
Tips for Choosing the Right Roadside Assistance Service
The following are the tips that may assist you in deciding on the next road trip roadside assistance service:
- Check for 24/7 Availability: Make sure that the service provider is available 24/7, particularly when travelling long distances. An emergency could strike at any time.
- Understand Coverage Areas: Be sure that the area being served by the service provider includes all the areas you are going to travel. Rural or remote areas might have limited coverage of some of the services.
- Compare Plans and Pricing: The plans of different providers are different in terms of the coverage they provide; thus, comparing the price and services covered in each plan. Ensure that you are maximising your financial rewards.
- Look for Customer Reviews: Reading the reviews of other travellers will assist in locating a trustworthy roadside service organization with a satisfactory history of customer satisfaction.
- Check for Special Features: Certain services are on a special basis, as they provide extra specialities like vehicle recovery, help with car trouble or special services with RVs and trailers.
Conclusion
Roadside assistance can be considered a vital requirement when travelling by road. Whether you are on your way across the nation or just a couple of hours to go, knowing that you can reach out to someone in case of an emergency may make your journey more pleasant and less stressful. Roadside assistance provides you with tire changes, jump starts, fuel delivery, and towing services which means that you will never be stuck on the shoulder of the road.
For more information on roadside assistance and to find the right service for your needs, visit Burnham Towing today!
FAQs
The charge for roadside assistance may differ based on the plan and the provider. It may be between 50 and 150 dollars per year in the case of basic coverage.
Yes, the large majority of roadside assistance services cover vehicles, trucks, RVs, and motorcycles. Nevertheless, make sure to consult your provider about a particular type of vehicle.
Turnaround time may also differ; however, in the city, most roadside assistance companies target the 30-60 minutes mark. Distant destinations might be delayed.
Yes, roadside assistance can be useful when dealing with simple problems such as flat tires, dead batteries and lockouts, where quick solutions can be given to get you on the road again.
Most roadside assistance packages cover up to some distance (depending on the plan) (usually 5-10 miles). Tows that are longer could be charged extra.