What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down on the Highway

Step 1: Don't Panic — Safely Move Your Vehicle Off the Road

The moment you sense trouble, stay calm and act fast. Turn on your hazard lights immediately — even before you've fully processed what's happening. This alerts other drivers that something is wrong.

If your car is still moving, steer it toward the right shoulder. Avoid stopping in a travel lane at all costs. Aim for the widest part of the shoulder you can find, ideally past an exit ramp or near an emergency pull-off area. If you're on a bridge or tunnel and can't safely stop, keep driving slowly with your hazards on until you reach a safer spot.

Once stopped, keep your foot off the brake pedal if you're fully off the road — brake lights can confuse approaching drivers.

Step 2: Make Your Vehicle Visible

Once you're safely stopped, your next job is to be seen. A parked car on a highway shoulder is nearly invisible to fast-moving traffic, especially at night or in bad weather.

Here's what to do:

• Turn hazard lights on (if you haven't already)
• Pop the hood — the universal signal for a broken-down vehicle
• Place road flares or reflective triangles at least 50–100 feet behind your car
• If you have a bright vest or jacket, put it on before you step out

If it's nighttime, leave your interior dome light on so responders can see you inside the vehicle.

Step 3: Get Out — But Get Away from Traffic

This is where many people make a dangerous mistake: they stay inside the vehicle. On a highway shoulder, a car struck from behind by a distracted driver is a fatal situation. Unless you're on a freezing highway with no safe place to stand, exit the vehicle and move to the right — away from traffic.

Stand behind a guardrail if one is present. Stay at least 100 feet away from your vehicle and keep watching the road. Do not stand between your car and oncoming traffic.

If you're in an unsafe area with no guardrail or shoulder space, stay inside with your seatbelt on and call for help immediately.

Step 4: Call for Roadside Emergency Assistance

Now it's time to get help. Call 911 first if anyone is injured, if you're in immediate danger, or if your vehicle is blocking a lane.

For a standard breakdown with no injuries, call your roadside emergency assistance provider. If you don't have a plan, don't worry — services like Tow-Tow connect you with a real tow truck driver in your area within minutes through the app or by phone.

When you call, be ready to share:

• Your exact location (highway name, mile marker, nearest exit)
• The make, model, and color of your vehicle
• What happened (engine stopped, flat tire, overheating, etc.)
• Whether you're inside or outside the vehicle

The more specific you are, the faster help arrives.

Step 5: Don't Try to Fix It Yourself — Unless It's Simple

If you have a flat tire and you know how to change it safely, and you're on a wide, well-lit shoulder away from traffic, a tire change is manageable. The same goes for adding coolant if the car has overheated and you have some in your emergency kit.

But if you're dealing with any of the following, do not attempt roadside repairs:

• Smoke coming from the engine
• Fluid leaking from under the vehicle
• Brake failure
• Electrical problems
• Any situation where you'd need to be behind or under the vehicle near traffic

In these cases, wait for professional help. A tow truck on a highway is safer than you crouching behind your car with traffic passing at highway speeds.

Step 6: What to Do While You Wait

The wait for a tow truck can feel endless when you're stranded on a highway. Here's how to stay safe and productive during that time:

• Stay on the phone with your roadside assistance provider until help arrives
• Don't accept rides from strangers
• Keep children and pets inside the vehicle or behind the guardrail — never near the road
• If someone stops to help, stay behind your guardrail and tell them help is already on the way
• Monitor your phone battery — if it's low, conserve it by closing apps

If it's extremely hot or cold and you must stay in the vehicle, run the AC or heat in short intervals. If you run out of fuel while doing this, crack a window for fresh air.

Step 7: After the Tow — What Happens Next

Once the tow truck arrives, communicate clearly about where you want the vehicle taken. If you don't know a local mechanic, the driver can often suggest one — but take time to verify before agreeing.

Make sure you:

• Get a receipt or confirmation from the tow company
• Take photos of your vehicle's condition before it's loaded
• Note the tow company's contact information and the driver's name
• Confirm the destination address before the driver leaves

If your vehicle is being taken to a dealership or repair shop, call ahead so they're expecting it.

Emergency Roadside Kit: What Every Driver Should Have

The best time to prepare for a breakdown is before it happens. Keep these items in your trunk at all times:

• Reflective triangles or road flares (minimum 3)
• Jumper cables or a portable battery jump starter
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench)
• First aid kit
• Warm blanket
• Bottled water and energy bars
• Phone charger or power bank
• Pen and notepad

This kit can make the difference between a manageable situation and a dangerous one — and costs under $60 to assemble.

FAQ: Car Breaks Down on Highway

Conclusion: Stay Calm, Stay Safe, Call for Help

A highway breakdown feels terrifying in the moment — but it's manageable if you follow the right steps. Move to safety, make yourself visible, call for roadside emergency assistance immediately, and wait in a protected spot for help to arrive.