Your car just died on a Memphis highway. Traffic is moving, it's hot, and you need to know who to call right now, not after reading a five-paragraph intro.
> **Quick Answer:** Call 911 if you are in immediate danger. For a breakdown on I-40, I-55, I-240, or US-78, call a local tow company directly or use your roadside assistance provider (AAA, insurance, or a motor club). Tennessee TDOT does not run free highway service patrols in Memphis the way some states do, so you need to arrange your own tow. Get off the travel lanes, turn on your hazards, and make the call.
## Who Do I Actually Call When My Car Breaks Down on I-40 or I-240 in Memphis?
Call a private tow company or your roadside assistance provider. Tennessee does not operate a free roving service patrol on Memphis interstates, so nobody is automatically coming to help you. If you have AAA, call them first. If you have roadside assistance through your auto insurance (State Farm, USAA, Allstate, and most others include it as an add-on), call that number on your insurance card. If you have neither, search for a Memphis towing company and call directly.
If your car is in a live lane or you cannot safely exit the vehicle, call 911 first. Memphis Police or Shelby County Sheriff will respond and can request a tow if needed. For general traffic and road condition information, Tennessee's 511 service can tell you about active incidents on your stretch of highway.
## Where Exactly Should I Pull Over on Memphis Highways?
Pull as far right as possible onto the shoulder, past the white fog line, and get away from the travel lanes. On I-240 near the I-55 interchange (one of the busiest merges in the city), shoulders can be narrow, so every extra foot of clearance matters. On I-40 heading toward the Shelby Drive or Whitten Road exits, there are wider paved shoulders.
Once stopped, turn on your hazard lights immediately. If you have road flares or a reflective triangle, set them out at least 100 feet behind the car. Get all passengers out of the vehicle and over the guardrail or as far from traffic as the terrain allows. Waiting inside a stopped car on an active highway shoulder is one of the most dangerous things you can do. See [Car Died on Highway Shoulder: Is It Safe to Wait for a Tow Truck?](/car-died-on-highway-shoulder-safe-to-wait-for-tow-truck/) for more on this.
## What Will a Tow in Memphis Cost Me?
A local tow in Memphis typically runs $75 to $125 for the first few miles, with per-mile charges of $3 to $5 beyond that. A longer haul, say from I-40 near the Bartlett area out to a shop in Collierville, could push $175 to $250 depending on the company and time of day. Flatbed rates run higher than wheel-lift. If you are on I-55 near the Mississippi state line and need to cross into Southaven or Olive Branch, some companies charge extra for crossing the state line.
For a full breakdown of what Memphis towing actually costs, check [Towing Cost in Memphis Tennessee: What You'll Pay and What to Do](/towing-cost-memphis-tennessee/).
## What If I'm Stuck at Night or in a Dangerous Spot on the Highway?
Call 911 without hesitation if you feel unsafe. The stretch of I-240 that cuts through South Memphis, and US-78 (Lamar Avenue) heading toward the airport, see high traffic
*Photo: Pexels*
volumes at all hours. If your car has stopped in a way that partially blocks a lane, that is an emergency call situation, not a "wait and see."
At night, stay visible. Keep hazards running. If your battery is failing and you are worried about losing power to the lights, turn on the interior dome light and keep the hazard switch engaged for as long as the battery holds. Do not stand behind your vehicle. If you have kids in the car, getting them behind a guardrail or well off the road surface is the priority before anything else. [Car Broke Down on Interstate at Night: What to Do Right Now](/car-broke-down-on-interstate-at-night-what-to-do/) covers nighttime protocol in detail.
## What Do I Do While Waiting for the Tow Truck?
Stay off the road and keep others informed. Text your tow company your exact mile marker or exit number so they can find you fast. On I-40 westbound in Memphis, mile markers run roughly from 12 near the Arkansas border up through the 20s as you pass the Sam Cooper Boulevard area. On I-240, note whether you are north or south of the Poplar Avenue exit. That kind of detail cuts response time.
Keep your phone charged. If your battery is low, plug into the car charger and leave the engine off but the accessory power on. Tell the dispatcher the make, model, color, and exact direction you are facing. If the tow driver cannot find you quickly, your wait gets longer and your exposure on that shoulder continues. [How Long Does It Take for a Tow Truck to Arrive](/how-long-does-it-take-for-a-tow-truck-to-arrive/) gives realistic wait times depending on time of day and provider.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Does Tennessee send free highway help trucks on Memphis interstates?**
A: No. Tennessee does not operate a free incident response or service patrol program on Memphis highways. You need to call a private tow company or your roadside assistance provider yourself.
**Q: What's the cheapest way to get towed in Memphis with no roadside assistance?**
A: Call multiple local tow companies and ask for a quote upfront before agreeing to anything. Prices vary widely. Getting two or three quotes takes five minutes and can save you $50 or more.
**Q: Can I leave my car on the shoulder of I-55 or I-40 overnight?**
A: Memphis Police and TDOT can have it ticketed or towed within hours, sometimes faster in high-traffic corridors. Do not leave it and walk away without calling police and a tow company to document the situation and arrange removal.
**Q: What if my car breaks down in the I-240 tunnel or on a bridge over the Wolf River?**
A: Call 911 immediately. Stopping in the I-240 cut (near the Midtown section) or on an overpass creates a serious hazard. Police will respond faster and can manage traffic while you wait.
**Q: Will my auto insurance cover the tow if I have roadside assistance on my policy?**
A: Most roadside assistance add-ons cover one tow per incident up to a set mileage limit, typically 15 to 25 miles. Check your declarations page or call your insurer while you wait for the truck. Anything beyond the covered miles usually comes out of pocket.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/car-broke-down-on-memphis-highway-who-to-call/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Car Broke Down on Memphis Highway: Who to Call Right Now
Photo: Pexels