Your car just died on the 405, the 10, or the 101, and traffic is flying past at 70 mph. Here is exactly what to do.
> **Quick Answer:** Get to the right shoulder immediately, turn on your hazard lights, and stay inside your car with your seatbelt on. Do not stand behind or next to your vehicle. Call 511 to report the breakdown, or dial 911 if you or anyone is injured. Then call a tow truck or your roadside assistance provider. On LA freeways, Freeway Service Patrol trucks also patrol most corridors and will stop to help for free during peak hours.
## What Do I Do the Second My Car Breaks Down on an LA Freeway?
Move to the right shoulder as far from the travel lanes as you can get. If your car is still rolling, coast to the nearest exit ramp at the Vermont Avenue, Rosecrans, or any other off-ramp if you can reach one safely. That is always safer than staying on the freeway.
Once stopped:
1. Turn on your hazard lights immediately, day or night.
2. If you have road flares or reflective triangles, place them at least 100 feet behind your car.
3. Exit from the passenger side only, away from traffic, if you must get out at all.
4. Move up the embankment or behind the guardrail if there is one. A guardrail between you and moving traffic is real protection.
5. Call for help. Do not stand on the shoulder waiting. Get behind the barrier or back inside the car.
On a high-traffic corridor like the I-10 near the East Los Angeles interchange or the 110 through South LA, a car on the shoulder is an extremely narrow margin from live traffic. Treat it like the hazard it is.
## Should I Stay in My Car or Get Out?
Stay in your car with your seatbelt buckled as your default. A vehicle in park on the shoulder is far more visible to approaching drivers than a person standing outside it. The exception is if your car is smoking heavily, smelling of gas, or is in a position where you cannot safely stay inside, like a lane rather than the shoulder. In those cases, get out on the passenger side and move well away from the vehicle.
If you are on the carpool lane side of the freeway and cannot safely reach the right shoulder, turn on hazards, stay buckled, and call 911. Do not cross multiple lanes of traffic on foot. [Knowing how to signal for help if you have no phone](/how-to-signal-for-help-car-breaks-down-no-phone/) is also worth reviewing before you need it.
## Who Do I Call When My Car Breaks Down on a Los Angeles Freeway?
Call 511 first to report a disabled vehicle. This connects you to the California Department of Transportation traffic management system, which can dispatch Freeway Service Patrol. The Freeway Service Patrol operates on most LA-area freeways during morning and evening peak hours and will push, tow, or help you to a safe exit at no charge.
If it is outside peak hours, or if you need a tow to a shop rather than just off the freeway:
- **AAA:** If you are a member, this is your call. Response times in LA vary, but on the 405 near the Getty or on the 101 near the Cahuenga Pass, waits can run 45 to 90 minutes during peak hours.
- **Your insurance roadside assistance:** Check your policy before you need it. Many carriers cover a tow.
- **Private tow truck:** If you are paying out of pocket, expect a hook-up fee plus a per-mile charge. For specifics on what that will run you, see [how much it costs to tow a car in Los Angeles](/how-much-does-
*Photo: Pexels*
it-cost-to-tow-a-car-in-los-angeles/).
For more detail on exactly who to call and in what order, [this LA-specific breakdown](/who-do-i-call-if-my-car-breaks-down-on-a-freeway-in-los-angeles/) covers the options clearly.
## What If My Car Is Blocking a Lane, Not the Shoulder?
This is a 911 situation, not a 511 situation. Call immediately. CHP dispatches quickly to lane-blocking incidents because the secondary crash risk is severe. Put your hazards on, stay buckled, and do not attempt to push the car yourself into traffic.
If the car will roll and there is any safe gap in traffic with another person to help, pushing it to the shoulder is worth it, but only if the path is clear. A car blocking the inside lane of the I-405 near the 10 interchange during rush hour is a genuine emergency. Treat it as one.
## Will the Freeway Service Patrol Actually Help Me?
Yes, and it is free. The Freeway Service Patrol covers most major LA freeways including the 405, 101, 110, 10, and 5 during morning and evening peak periods, typically 6 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. on weekdays. Trucks patrol at regular intervals and will stop for anyone with hazards on. They can add water, fix a flat, jump-start your battery, or give you a push to an exit ramp.
If your car needs a full tow to a mechanic, FSP will move you off the freeway but not necessarily to your destination. You will still need to arrange a tow from the exit point. Check [towing costs for an LA freeway breakdown](/towing-cost-los-angeles-freeway-breakdown/) so you are not caught off guard by the bill.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Can I leave my car on the LA freeway shoulder and come back for it later?**
A: No. CHP will have it towed, often within 30 minutes on high-traffic corridors. You will pay impound fees on top of the tow charge, and on some stretches of the 405 or 10, abandoned vehicles are cited within minutes.
**Q: Is it safe to change a tire on the shoulder of an LA freeway?**
A: Only if you are completely clear of the travel lanes and can see well in both directions. On a tight shoulder like those on the 110 through downtown, it is safer to drive on a flat to the next exit than to change it in traffic. Rim damage is cheaper than a hospital bill.
**Q: Does the Freeway Service Patrol work at night?**
A: No. FSP operates during peak commute hours on weekdays only. At night, on weekends, or outside those windows, you need to call a tow truck or your roadside assistance provider directly.
**Q: How long will a tow truck take to reach me on an LA freeway?**
A: During off-peak hours, private tow trucks typically arrive in 30 to 60 minutes. During rush hour, waits of 60 to 90 minutes are common, especially on the 405 or 10 corridor. Give the dispatcher your exact mile marker or the nearest on-ramp sign so they can find you.
**Q: What if I do not have roadside assistance and cannot afford a tow right now?**
A: Call 511 and ask about Freeway Service Patrol if you are in their service window. Otherwise, 911 can request a CHP-arranged tow. Be aware that CHP-contracted tows are not free and can be expensive. If you have a credit card with travel benefits, many Visa and Mastercard products include roadside assistance at no extra cost.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/car-broke-down-on-los-angeles-freeway-what-to-do/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Car Broke Down on Los Angeles Freeway: What to Do Right Now
Photo: Pexels