Forgot..never had AAA in my life, and I have an US Atlas with yellow highlights of all the places I have driving through..it's a yellow map now
AAA maps are not that great. Stop at every welcome center and get a free state map when you cross into the state. If it's late and the Rest Stop or Welcome center is closed..no maps. Get them before you travel is good. All states have travel beurau (crap..mind freeze..SIC), so contact them and they'll send you maps free. You won't see the welcome centers if you take the small roads...recommended. Interstates are boring...esp if you are in a 911. Small state and county routes offer more and you'll really experience and see America.
Your insurance should offer towing coverage...add it to your policy before the trip.
So maps and towing covered...makes AAA a no-need.
If you ask Ron in Long Beach..he'd tell you to sleep in a tent. I might too if I had two weeks to drive around. Most times it's fastest from A to B.