> **Quick Answer:** On any Los Angeles freeway, call 511 for Caltrans Freeway Service Patrol (free tows on many corridors during peak hours), your roadside assistance provider if you have one, or a private tow truck if you don't. Turn on hazards immediately, move as far right as possible, and stay behind the guardrail. Do not stand between your car and traffic.
## Who Do I Actually Call First When I Break Down on an LA Freeway?
Your first call depends on whether you have roadside coverage. If you have AAA, your car insurance's roadside add-on, or a dealer plan, call them first. If you have nothing, call 511 and ask about Freeway Service Patrol (FSP), then have a private tow company as your backup.
Here is the order that makes sense for most drivers:
1. **911** if there is any injury, your car is blocking a lane, or you are in a genuinely dangerous spot like the I-10/I-110 interchange downtown with no shoulder room.
2. **511** to reach Caltrans FSP dispatch. FSP trucks patrol most major LA freeways during peak hours (roughly 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.) and the first tow is free within the freeway corridor. They can push you to the nearest safe exit.
3. **Your roadside provider** (AAA, insurance, manufacturer) if FSP is off-shift or unavailable.
4. **A private tow company** if none of the above apply.
Do not call a tow from the fast lane or while standing in traffic. Get to safety first, then make the call.
## Is Freeway Service Patrol Actually Free, and Will They Come to Me?
FSP tows are free, but only during their patrol hours and only within their designated freeway segments. They cover most of the high-volume corridors: the 405 through the Sepulveda Pass, the 101 from downtown through the Valley, the 10 from Santa Monica to East LA, the 110 through South LA, and the 605 and 710 near the ports. Outside peak hours or on less-traveled segments, you are on your own.
FSP can push or tow your car to the nearest freeway exit. They will not take you to a shop across town. If your destination is more than a mile or two from that exit, you will still need a private tow from there. For what that secondary tow will cost, see our breakdown of [towing cost in Los Angeles California freeway](/towing-cost-in-los-angeles-california-freeway/).
## What If I Don't Have Roadside Assistance and Need to Pay Out of Pocket?
Call a private tow company directly. A local freeway tow in LA typically runs $75 to $150 for the hook-up and first few miles, plus $3 to $5 per mile after that. If you are stuck on the 405 near the Getty and your shop is in Burbank, budget for 15 to 20 miles of towing on top of the base rate. Traffic does not change the mileage cost, but it can slow response time significantly. For a full look at what you will pay without coverage, check [tow truck cost Los Angeles no insurance](/tow-truck-cost-los-angeles-no-insurance/).
Search "tow truck near me" on Google Maps right now. Call two companies, get a quote
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from each, and confirm they can reach your exact location. Tell them the freeway, direction, and the nearest on-ramp or cross street so they can find you without guessing.
## Where Exactly Should I Position My Car and Myself While I Wait?
Get as far right as physically possible. On most LA freeways there is a narrow shoulder, and on some older segments like parts of the 101 through Hollywood there is almost none. If you cannot clear the lanes completely, turn on hazards and try to ease to the far right edge.
Once stopped, get out on the passenger side and move behind the guardrail if one exists. If there is no guardrail, move as far from the travel lanes as you can and stay there. Do not sit in the driver's seat waiting. A distracted driver hitting your stopped car is a real and common event on LA freeways, and the driver's side takes the impact.
Pop your hood as a distress signal. If you have road flares or reflective triangles, place them 50 to 100 feet behind the car. If you broke down at night, use your phone flashlight to stay visible while staying out of the roadway. If you broke down with passengers or children, keep everyone out of the car and behind the barrier. More on managing that situation: [car broke down with kids in car safety steps](/car-broke-down-with-kids-in-car-safety-steps/).
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## Common Questions
**Q: Does Caltrans FSP really tow for free, or is there a catch?**
A: FSP tows are genuinely free during patrol hours on covered freeway segments. The catch is they only take you to the nearest freeway exit, not to a shop. You will need a separate tow or a ride from there.
**Q: Will calling 911 get me a tow truck in Los Angeles?**
A: Calling 911 gets you CHP, who will document the situation and can call FSP or a rotation tow. Rotation tows dispatched by CHP are NOT free and can be expensive. Use 911 if there is danger, not just as a shortcut to a tow.
**Q: How long does a tow truck take to arrive on LA freeways?**
A: FSP trucks are usually on-scene within 20 to 30 minutes during patrol hours because they are already circulating. Private tow companies during rush hour can take 45 minutes to over an hour depending on traffic and their location.
**Q: Can I leave my car on the freeway shoulder overnight if the shop is closed?**
A: No. CHP will tag it and it will be impounded quickly, sometimes within an hour on a busy corridor. Get it towed to a safe lot or your mechanic's parking area before you leave it.
**Q: What if my car broke down in a lane and I cannot move it to the shoulder?**
A: Call 911 immediately. Turn on hazards, stay in your car with your seatbelt on until CHP arrives if exiting safely is not possible, or exit on the passenger side and get behind a barrier. Do not attempt to push the car alone in live traffic.
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Car Broke Down on Freeway in Los Angeles: Who to Call Right Now
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