Car Broke Down on a Houston Freeway? What to Do Next

1. Move away from active traffic if you safely can

If the vehicle can still be controlled safely, turn on the hazard lights, signal and carefully reach a shoulder, an exit or another location away from moving lanes. Do not continue driving a vehicle that cannot be controlled safely.

Texas DPS recommends stopping well clear of the traveled roadway and using emergency flashers to make the vehicle visible. [1]

If your vehicle is disabled in an active traffic lane, someone is injured, or there is another immediate danger, call 911. Do not step into moving traffic or attempt a repair in an exposed lane. Follow emergency personnel’s instructions.

2. Decide whether remaining inside is safest

There is no single answer that fits every breakdown. Consider your vehicle’s position, nearby traffic and instructions from emergency personnel.

If you are safely off the road and must exit, Texas DPS recommends using the passenger side, away from traffic. DPS also advises staying with the vehicle when possible until uniformed law enforcement arrives, particularly at night or in poor weather. [1]

For a crash involving an inoperable vehicle with no apparent injuries, Tow and Go advises waiting inside with your seat belt fastened. This does not apply if remaining there exposes you to fire or another immediate danger. [2]

Avoid standing behind the vehicle or beside moving traffic. Do not inspect a tire or look underneath the car while passing vehicles are close by. For smoke, fire, rising floodwater or another emergency, call 911 and follow emergency instructions.

3. Identify your location before calling

“Towing near Houston” is not enough information for a dispatcher to find you. Once stopped, use your phone’s map application and share what you can identify without entering traffic:

• Freeway or highway name and direction of travel
• Nearest exit or cross street, and a mile marker if visible
• Whether you are in a main lane, shoulder, ramp, frontage road or parking lot
• A nearby business, sign or landmark
• Your vehicle’s color, make and model

Send a map pin if the dispatcher accepts one. On Houston’s larger interchanges, specifying northbound, southbound, eastbound or westbound can prevent confusion.

4. Know when Houston’s Tow and Go program applies

Tow and Go provides no-cost clearance for eligible mechanical breakdowns on covered, camera-monitored freeways, 24/7. It takes the vehicle to a safe spot near the closest exit. Call (713) 881-3333 and check the official FAQ and linked coverage map for eligibility.

• Examples include overheating, an empty fuel tank and flat tires.
• Crash-involved, abandoned and flooded vehicles are excluded from no-cost towing.
• Sam Houston and Westpark tollways have separate assistance arrangements.

Harris County also offers a Motorist Assistance Program for services such as jump starts, fuel, air and flat-tire assistance. Call 713-CALL-MAP (713-225-5627). Its published schedule is 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday, excluding Harris County holidays.

These public programs are separate from Big Star Towing. Program details were checked on October 17, 2026; confirm current coverage when requesting help.

5. Arrange the second tow if you need a specific destination

A freeway-clearance tow may leave you somewhere safe while the vehicle still needs transportation to a repair shop, dealership, body shop or home.

Tow and Go permits a separate paid tow beyond its drop-off point, using its operator or another provider. If freeway clearance has already been authorized, coordinate your private pickup at the safe drop-off location. [2]

Before calling, confirm where you want the vehicle delivered. If the repair shop is closed, ask whether it accepts after-hours vehicles and where the keys should be left. See our guide to towing a car to a mechanic after hours.

6. Tell the towing dispatcher about the vehicle’s condition

Accurate details help dispatch discuss whether roadside assistance may be appropriate or whether the vehicle needs towing. Be ready to explain what you already know:

• What happened before the vehicle stopped and whether the engine starts
• Whether the vehicle rolls and steers normally
• Any damaged wheel or tire, fluid leak or collision damage
• Whether it is AWD, lowered or has unusual clearance requirements
• Pickup location, intended destination and any gate or access restrictions

Do not attempt roadside tests just to answer these questions. Do not drive a vehicle that cannot be operated safely. If you are unsure, describe the symptoms and let dispatch discuss the available options.

Roadside assistance or towing?

A discharged battery, lockout, empty fuel tank or flat tire with a usable spare may sometimes be handled through roadside assistance.

Towing may be more appropriate when the vehicle cannot start after assistance, cannot roll or steer normally, has significant wheel or suspension damage, is leaking fluid, or has collision damage that prevents safe driving. The correct response depends on its condition and whether the location is safe and accessible.

What should you keep in your car?

A simple emergency kit can make a breakdown easier to manage. NHTSA recommends supplies such as a flashlight, warning devices, first-aid items, a phone charger, water and necessary medication. Having warning devices does not mean it is safe to step into traffic to place them.

Check the spare tire periodically and follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure in the owner’s manual or door-frame label—not the maximum pressure printed on the tire. [4]