Tire Blew Out on Highway and You're Too Scared to Drive: What to Do Right Now: What To Do Next

> **Quick Answer:** Do not drive on a blown tire. If you already pulled over, you made the right call. Turn on your hazard lights, stay in the car if traffic is close, and call for roadside help. A tow or tire change service can come to you. You do not need to drive anywhere. Staying put is the correct decision.

## What to Do

1. **Hazard lights on immediately.** If they are not already on, hit them now. This is the single most important thing you can do for your safety and for other drivers.

2. **Assess where you are.** Are you fully off the travel lanes? If yes, stay there. If your car is partly in a lane, you need to get it to the shoulder. Do not drive fast, but steer slowly to the right. A blown tire can still move the car a short distance at low speed without destroying the wheel.

3. **Get as far right as possible.** Aim for the grass or dirt beyond the white fog line if you can reach it. Every foot of distance between you and live traffic matters.

4. **Turn your wheels toward the road edge.** If a vehicle hits you from behind, this angles your car away from traffic instead of into it.

5. **Stay in the car or get completely away from it.** This is the one that trips people up. The shoulder is dangerous. If you are on a high-speed highway with trucks passing close, stay buckled in the car. If you are on a quieter road with a guardrail or wide grass area, get everyone out and well away from the car, up an embankment or behind a barrier. Never stand between your car and traffic.

6. **Call for help.** You have a few options:
   - Call 911 if you feel unsafe or are partially blocking a lane. They will send a patrol unit to block traffic.
   - Call your roadside assistance provider if you have one through insurance, AAA, or your car dealer.
   - If you have no coverage, a private tow or mobile tire service can still come to you. See [roadside assistance without insurance or a membership](/roadside-assistance-without-insurance-membership-cost/) for what that costs.

7. **Do not attempt to change the tire yourself on a live highway.** This is not the situation for that. Changing a tire on a quiet neighborhood street is one thing. Kneeling next to your car while 70 mph traffic passes two feet away is how people get killed. Wait for a professional.

8. **Pop your trunk and put out reflective triangles or flares if you have them.** Place them 100 to 200 feet behind your car, not right next to it. This gives approaching drivers warning time.

9. **Stay off the phone except to call for help.** Keep your eyes on approaching traffic. If a vehicle looks like it is drifting toward you, be ready to move.

10. **Check your spare situation while you wait.** Once help is on the way, open your trunk and confirm you have a spare and a jack. If your spare is also flat, tell the tow operator before they arrive so they can plan accordingly. You can read more about that specific problem at [tire blew out and spare is also flat](/tire-blew-out-spare-is-also-flat-what-to-do/).

The fear you are feeling is appropriate. A blowout at highway speed is violent and disorienting. But you have already done the hardest part by stopping. Now you just wait for help.

![hazard lights car road](/images/tire-blew-out-on-highway-too-scared-to-drive/mid.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*

## What It Might Cost

A mobile tire change from a roadside service typically runs $50 to $100 on top of any parts. If you need a tow instead, expect a $75 to $125 hookup fee plus $3 to $7 per mile depending on your location. If you have roadside coverage through your insurer, this is likely covered or heavily discounted. The article on [towing cost from the highway to the nearest exit](/towing-cost-from-highway-to-nearest-exit/) breaks down what a short tow actually costs.


![tow truck highway](/images/tire-blew-out-on-highway-too-scared-to-drive/bottom.jpg)
*Photo: Pexels*

## Stay Safe

- Do not stand at the rear of your car looking at the damage. That is the highest-risk position on a highway shoulder.
- Keep children and pets inside the vehicle or far off the road, not on the shoulder near the car.
- If someone stops claiming to be help you did not call, you are not obligated to accept it. Keep your window up and point to your phone to indicate help is already coming.
- If it is dark, turn on your interior dome light so your car is more visible from inside.
- Trucks and semis create a strong wind blast as they pass. Brace for it if you are outside the vehicle.

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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/tire-blew-out-on-highway-too-scared-to-drive/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*