Running out of gas on a highway is one of the most fixable breakdowns you can have, but it becomes dangerous the moment you stop moving at speed. The next few minutes matter. Here is exactly what to do.
> **Quick Answer:** Coast to the right shoulder immediately, as far off the travel lanes as possible. Turn on your hazard lights. Stay in the car with your seatbelt on if traffic is heavy. Call roadside assistance, AAA, or a local tow company for fuel delivery. Do not walk along the highway to find a gas station. Most fuel delivery services can reach you within 30 to 60 minutes.
## What Do I Do the Moment My Car Starts Losing Power from Empty?
The second your engine starts sputtering or your fuel warning light has been on for a while and power drops, take your foot off the gas and begin coasting right. Get to the shoulder before the car fully stops. You still have momentum and partial steering even without the engine running, but once you stop, you are stuck exactly where you are.
Signal right, check your mirror, and move over as smoothly as possible. Get as far onto the shoulder as the pavement allows. On interstate highways like I-80 or I-40, the right shoulder can be several feet wide. Use every inch of it. The farther your car sits from the travel lanes, the safer you are.
Once stopped: hazard lights on, put it in park, and if you have road flares or reflective triangles in your trunk, place them 100 to 300 feet behind your vehicle. This is not optional on high-speed roads.
## Is It Safe to Wait Inside the Car or Should I Get Out?
Stay inside the car with your seatbelt buckled if traffic is moving at highway speed next to you. Distracted drivers veer onto shoulders regularly, and standing outside your car is significantly more dangerous than sitting in it. Exit only if your car is in a genuinely hazardous spot, like blocking a lane, and even then, get completely off the road and behind a guardrail if one is present.
If you are on a rural highway with little traffic and you are parked safely on a wide shoulder, it is fine to stand outside near the front of the car, away from the traffic side. The rear of the car is the most dangerous position if someone rear-ends your vehicle.
For nighttime situations, [read these specific safety steps for highway breakdowns after dark](/car-broke-down-on-highway-at-night-safety-tips/) before you decide whether to stay or exit.
## Who Do I Call to Bring Me Gas on the Highway?
Call roadside assistance first if you have it. AAA dispatches fuel delivery directly. If you have Progressive, GEICO, State Farm, or Allstate roadside coverage, they will send a service truck with a small amount of fuel, typically one to three gallons, enough to get you to the nearest station. Check your insurance card or app right now for the roadside number.
No roadside coverage? Call a local tow company and specifically ask for fuel delivery, not a tow. Most companies that tow also do fuel runs, and it is cheaper than a full tow. You can also use apps like Urgently or Honk to dispatch a service provider directly.
If you are on a busy urban highway, your state's Department of Transportation may run a free or low-cost highway patrol service. In many states you can call 511 for road conditions and service referrals.
Do not call a friend to meet you on the highway shoulder with a gas can. That creates two stopped vehicles and doubles the hazard.
## Do I Actually Need a Tow, or Just Fuel Delivery?
You just need fuel delivery in almost ev
*Photo: Pexels*
ery case. Running completely dry does not damage most modern gasoline engines. Once you get a gallon or two in the tank, the car will start. Crank it, let it run for 30 seconds to build fuel pressure, and you are good to go.
There are two exceptions. If your car has been running on fumes for a long time and you hear abnormal noises after refueling, your fuel pump may have overheated or ingested debris from the bottom of the tank. If the engine cranks but will not fire after you add fuel, a failed fuel pump is a real possibility. In that case, [here is how to tell if your fuel pump failed on the highway and what comes next](/fuel-pump-failed-on-highway-signs-and-next-steps/).
A tow will cost considerably more than fuel delivery, so confirm the car will not start before you order one.
## How Long Will I Be Waiting on the Highway Shoulder?
In most metro areas, fuel delivery or roadside service arrives in 30 to 60 minutes. On rural stretches of interstate, expect 60 to 90 minutes or longer depending on where the nearest service provider is located. [Here is a detailed breakdown of what affects how long you wait on a highway shoulder](/how-long-can-you-wait-on-side-of-highway-for-tow/) and what to do if your wait stretches past an hour.
While you wait: keep hazards on, keep the doors locked if you are in a high-crime area, keep your phone charged, and do not leave the vehicle to walk to a gas station. A mile on a highway shoulder on foot is genuinely dangerous, and it is almost never worth it given that help is on the way.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Can running out of gas damage my car engine?**
A: In most gasoline cars, no. Modern fuel-injected engines handle running dry without engine damage. The main risk is to the fuel pump, which uses gasoline for cooling. If the pump ran hot from low fuel levels frequently, it may be weakened, but a single dry-out rarely kills it outright.
**Q: How much does fuel delivery cost if I don't have roadside assistance?**
A: Expect to pay $50 to $100 for a private fuel delivery service, plus the cost of the gas itself. Some tow companies charge a flat dispatch fee around $75 and then add the fuel at or above pump price. It varies by region, but it is always cheaper than a tow.
**Q: What if my car still won't start after I add gas?**
A: Crank it a few times with a few seconds between attempts to let the fuel pump prime the system. If it still will not fire after three or four tries, you may have a fuel pump issue, a vapor lock, or air in the fuel line. At that point, call for a tow rather than draining your battery.
**Q: Is it legal to walk along the highway shoulder to a gas station?**
A: Technically legal in most states, but strongly discouraged by highway patrol everywhere. Pedestrians on highway shoulders are at serious risk, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions. Wait for help to come to you.
**Q: Will my insurance cover the cost of fuel delivery on the highway?**
A: Only if you have roadside assistance coverage added to your policy. Standard liability or collision coverage does not include it. [Progressive's roadside assistance coverage](/progressive-insurance-towing-coverage-how-much-will-they-pay/) and similar policies typically cover one fuel delivery per incident, but confirm your specific policy limits before assuming you are covered.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/car-ran-out-of-gas-on-highway-what-to-do/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Car Ran Out of Gas on Highway: What to Do Right Now
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