Boom! That was the sound of my car’s tire exploding on I-75 shortly after crossing the Florida line. What could I do? I was traveling alone with the kids, ages 16 and 12, 400 miles from home. I grabbed my cellphone to call roadside assistance when a DOT worker pulled up behind the car. He changed the tire to our spare, told me the nearest city where I could have the tire replaced, and informed me of the best options of where I could have the tire replaced.
Once I returned home, I decided to find out what to do if I broke down again. I researched What to Do if Your Car Breaks Down on A Road trip and came up with these expert tips. I also discovered many states offer Free Roadside Assistance.
What to Do if Your Car Breaks Down on a Roadtrip
- Pull to the side of the road. Turn on your flashers and, if you want, open your hood If you have emergency cones or reflectors, set them behind the car if you can do so safely.
- Place a call to AAA or Roadside Assistance if you have that service. Many insurances cover roadside assistance. If you are not sure, call your insurance agent. Many states also have free emergency roadside assistance available.
- If you are not sure who to call in an unfamiliar area, call the local police station.
- Wait inside your car, if you are safely out of traffic, with the windows closed and the doors locked.
- If someone stops to help-it could be a good Samaritan or it might not, you can never be sure. Slightly crack the window and ask them to call the police. Don’t step out of the vehicle.
Free State Roadside Assistant Numbers:
Many states have free roadside assistant services provided in major cities and along some stretches of major highways by the state department of transportation. Google “(the state) free roadside assistance number.” I’ve included the phone numbers for the States with free roadside assistance below:
| State | Cellphone # | Other # |
| Alabama | *4-7 | 334-832-1784 |
| Arizona | 9-1-1 | —— |
| California | 5-1-1 (say “freeway assist”) | —— |
| Colorado | 9-1-1 | local law enforcement |
| Connecticut | 9-1-1 | —— |
| Delaware | #7-7 | —— |
| Florida | *FHP (*3-4-7) | —— |
| Georgia | 5-1-1 (select option 1) | —— |
| Hawaii | 9-1-1 | 841-4357 |
| State | Cell Phone # | Alternate Phone # |
| Illinois | *9-9-9 | —— |
| Indiana | —— | 855-INDOT4U (855.463.6848) |
| Iowa | 9-1-1 | —— |
| Kansas | *KTA (*5-8-2) | —— |
| Kentucky | #SAFE (#7-2-3-3) | 888-FOR-KYTC (888-367-5982) |
| Louisiana | 9-1-1 | Contact local law enforcement |
| Maine | *9-9-9 | (207) 871-7701 |
| Maryland | #7-7 | —— |
| Michigan | —— | Free Service but no number. Trucks patrol highways and cameras are checked. |
Additional Note About Michigan, there is a free service but no number to call. Per the MDOT website- “Freeway Courtesy Patrol (FCP) drivers are notified of motorists needing assistance in several ways. MDOT staff members continually monitor traffic cameras on freeways, while local law enforcement observing stranded motorists call into the local dispatch. FCP drivers also make regular patrols in their designated areas looking for motorists needing help.”
| State | Phone # | Alternate # |
| Minnesota | 9-1-1 | —— |
| Missouri | *5-5 | —— |
| Nebraska | *5-5 | 1-800-525-5555 |
| Nevada | *NHP (*6-4-7) | —— |
| New Hampshire | *9-9-9 | —— |
| New Jersey | 9-1-1 | —— |
| New Mexico | 9-1-1 | (505) 242-2677 (non-emergency) |
| New York | 9-1-1 | —— |
| North Carolina | *4-7 | —— |
| State | Phone # | Alternate # |
| Ohio | #6-7-7 | 9-1-1 |
| Oklahoma | *5-5 (Oklahoma City/Tulsa Area) | 9-1-1 (emergency only) |
| Oregon | 503.731.4574 (Multnomah County) | —— |
| Pennsylvania | 9-1-1 | contact local law enforcement |
| Pennsylvania turnpike only | *1-1 | —— |
| South Carolina | *HP (*47) | 5-1-1 app for iPhone and android |
| Tennessee | *8-4-7 | —— |
| Texas | 210-732-HERO | 210-732-4376 |
| Utah | 9-1-1 | —— |
| State | Phone # | #Alternate # |
| Virginia | 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) | —— |
| Washington | 9-1-1 | —— |
| West Virginia | 9-1-1 | —— |
| Wisconsin | 9-1-1 | —— |
| Wyoming | *SP *7-7 | —— |
Emergency Only Numbers for States That DO NOT Offer Free Roadside Assistance:
| State | Phone # | Alternate # |
| Alaska | 9-1-1 | 5-1-1 |
| Arkansas | #5-5 | 9-1-1 |
| Idaho | #4-7-7 | 9-1-1 |
| Mississippi | 9-1-1 | *4-7 |
| Montana | 800-525-5555 (non-emergency) or 5-1-1 | 9-1-1 emergency |
| North Dakota | 9-1-1 | —– |
| Rhode Island | 9-1-1 | *7-7 |
| South Dakota | 9-1-1 | 5-1-1 |
| Vermont | 5-1-1 | —— |
What Services Do Most of the States Provide?
Here are some examples. NOTE: Services may vary from state to state.
Also NOTE: Free Roadside Assistance is generally provided on major highways and metropolitan and surrounding areas. Free Assistance may not be available in all parts of the state.
| Change flat tires Jump-start batteries Provide enough fuel to make it to a gas station Provide coolant Push vehicles to the shoulder | Transport motorists to safe areas away from traffic Administer first aid Perform minor mechanical repairs |
Where to Call For Traffic Reports, Road Closures, and Construction Zones Information
Don’t you hate it when you are traveling and are sidelined by hours of unexpected traffic delays? Here’s how to get information before this happens.
- Most states offer this information by calling 5-1-1.
- Download the Waze App to your phone. It’s free and offers driving directions, a live traffic map & road alerts. Seriously, this map has given me alternate directions to avoid traffic jams and saved me so much time.
I hope this guide helps you stay safe and find help if you have car trouble. What are your best tips for emergency assistance when you’re on the road?
You Might Like These Posts:
