What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down on the Highway: A Step-by-Step Safety Guide

By Darrah's Towing

Introduction: The Minutes That Matter Most

A breakdown on the highway is stressful enough on its own, but the highway shoulder is also one of the more dangerous places to be stranded. Knowing exactly what to do in the first few minutes — where to stop, how to stay visible, and when to get out of the car — makes a real difference in keeping you safe until help arrives.

This guide walks through what to do, step by step, so you're not trying to figure it out for the first time in the moment it actually happens.

The Short Answer: Why This Matters

According to research reported by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, disabled vehicles that other drivers fail to spot in time contribute to more than 14,000 injuries and roughly 500 fatalities every year in the United States. A large share of those involve people who had already gotten out of their vehicle. Knowing the right sequence of steps genuinely reduces that risk.

Step-by-Step: What to Do When You Break Down

1. Signal and move over gradually: Turn on your hazard lights immediately and, if your car is still driveable, ease over to the far right shoulder or an exit ramp rather than stopping abruptly.

2. Pull as far right as possible: Get as much distance from active traffic lanes as you can, ideally past the white fog line.

3. Turn your wheels away from traffic: If you're on a slope, angling your front wheels away from the road can help prevent rolling into traffic if the car is bumped.

4. Stay in the vehicle if it's safe to do so: With your seatbelt on, staying inside a vehicle on the shoulder is generally safer than standing outside near traffic, unless there's a specific danger like smoke or fire.

5. Call for help: Contact roadside assistance or a towing company and clearly describe your location, ideally using a mile marker or nearby exit number.

6. If you must exit the vehicle, exit away from traffic: Get out on the passenger side, away from the flow of traffic, and move well clear of the roadway.

7. Stay visible: Keep your hazards on, and use flares or reflective triangles behind your vehicle if you have them and it's safe to place them.

Experience: What We See Go Right and Wrong

In our line of work, the calls that go smoothly almost always involve a driver who pulled well off the roadway, stayed inside with their seatbelt on, and gave us a clear location. The calls that turn dangerous are almost always the ones where someone gets out to inspect the car, stands near the traffic side of the vehicle, or tries to wave down help by walking along the shoulder. Staying put and staying visible is consistently the safer choice.

What to Keep in Your Car for Situations Like This

• Reflective triangles or road flares

• A charged phone or portable charger

• A flashlight

• Basic water and snacks in case of a longer wait

• Your roadside assistance or towing company's number saved in your phone

• A blanket, especially important during Iowa winters

If Your Car Is Still Driveable

If a warning light comes on but the car is still driving normally, it's often safer to exit at the next ramp and pull into a parking lot rather than stopping directly on the highway shoulder. Use your best judgment on the severity of the issue — a check engine light is different from a car that's overheating or losing control.

Darrah's Towing Is Ready When You Need Us

Our dispatchers walk every caller through exactly what to do while help is on the way, and our drivers are trained to work safely on live highway shoulders. Save our number now, so you're not searching for it in a stressful moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I stay in my car if I break down on the highway?

In most cases, yes — staying inside with your seatbelt on and hazards flashing is generally safer than standing outside near live traffic.

Where should I pull over if my car breaks down?

As far right as possible, ideally past the fog line or onto an exit ramp, giving yourself maximum distance from active traffic lanes.

What should I keep in my car for emergencies?

Reflective triangles or flares, a phone charger, a flashlight, water, and a blanket are all worth keeping on hand for roadside situations.

Is it dangerous to stand outside my car on the shoulder?

Yes — being outside the vehicle on the shoulder or roadside is where the large majority of serious roadside injuries and fatalities occur, so it's safest only when necessary.

Save Darrah's Towing in your phone today, so help is one call away if you ever need it.