> **Quick Answer:** When your flat tire spare is also flat, you need a tow. There is no driving out of this one. Expect to pay $75 to $125 for a local tow under 10 miles, and $3 to $7 per mile after that. If you have roadside assistance through your insurer or AAA, this tow is almost certainly covered. Call for help now, then read the rest.
## My Spare Is Flat Too. Do I Have Any Options Besides a Tow?
No. With two flat tires and no functional spare, you are not moving that car under its own power. Run-flat tires are the one exception: if your vehicle was factory-equipped with them (common on BMW, Mini, and some Mercedes models), you can drive up to 50 miles at reduced speed. Check your sidewall for the letters "ROF" or the run-flat symbol. If you do not have run-flats, stop here and call for a tow.
A mobile tire service is worth a phone call if you are in or near a metro area. Some shops will drive out, mount a new tire on your rim roadside, and get you rolling without a tow truck. This costs more than a standard shop visit, typically $150 to $250 including the tire, but it can be faster than waiting for a tow and then waiting again at the shop.
If neither of those applies, you need a flatbed or wheel-lift tow. That is your only move.
## What Will a Tow Actually Cost Me Right Now?
A local tow of 5 to 10 miles runs $75 to $125 in most U.S. markets. Rural areas can push that higher because the truck has to travel farther to reach you. Long-distance tows are priced per mile: plan on $3 to $7 per mile depending on your region and the time of day. Night calls and weekend calls usually cost more.
If you are on a highway and need to get to a tire shop across town, a 15-mile tow might run $100 to $150 out of pocket. If the nearest shop that stocks your tire size is 40 miles away, you are looking at $200 or more.
Check your insurance app right now before calling a random tow company. Liberty Mutual, USAA, State Farm, and GEICO all offer roadside assistance add-ons that cover towing, and many of them include the tow at no out-of-pocket cost up to a mileage limit. If you have AAA, your membership tier determines how many free tow miles you get: Classic covers 5 miles, Plus covers 100 miles, and Premier covers 200 miles. For more on what your insurer actually pays, see [Liberty Mutual Roadside Assistance Towing Coverage Limits](/liberty-mutual-roadside-assistance-towing-coverage-limits/) for a real breakdown.
## Where Should I Wait and What Should I Do Right Now?
Get off the road. If you are on a freeway or highway, pull as far right as possible onto the shoulder, turn on your hazard lights, and get out of the car on the passenger side, away from traffic. Do not stand behind or directly beside the vehicle. Move to the guardrail or up the embankment if there is one.
If you are in a parking lot or on a surface street, stay in the car with your hazards on until help arrives unless the location is unsafe.
Call your roadside assistance provider first. If you do not have one, use a national dispatch app like Urgently or Honk, or search "tow truck near me" and call a local company directly. Give them your exact location using GPS coordinates from your phone if you are unsure of the address. This one step prevents a lot of delay.
Do not attempt to drive on a flat, even slowly
*Photo: Pexels*
, to reach a better spot. Driving on a flat destroys the tire and can damage the rim and wheel well. A rim repair adds cost you do not need.
If you are stranded on a freeway at night, the situation carries added risk. [Flat Tire on Freeway at Night: Who to Call Right Now](/flat-tire-on-freeway-at-night-who-to-call/) has specifics on freeway protocols that are worth knowing.
## Will My Insurance Cover This Tow?
Most likely yes, if you have roadside assistance on your policy. Standard auto liability or collision coverage does not cover towing from a flat tire. You need the roadside assistance rider specifically. Check your insurance app or card in your glove box for the roadside number.
If you have no roadside coverage and no AAA, you are paying out of pocket. In that case, get two or three quotes before committing. Prices vary significantly between companies even in the same city, and a five-minute phone call can save you $50.
Credit cards are another underused resource. Some Visa Signature, Mastercard, and premium travel cards include roadside dispatch as a cardholder benefit. Check the benefits guide on your card issuer's website before assuming you have nothing.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Can I put fix-a-flat in a completely flat spare to use it?**
A: Fix-a-flat only works on small punctures in the tread area. A spare that has gone completely flat from age, a cracked sidewall, or a valve stem failure will not hold Fix-a-flat. Do not risk it: a failed spare on a moving vehicle is a serious safety hazard.
**Q: How long will I wait for a tow truck with two flat tires?**
A: In an urban area, expect 30 to 60 minutes on average. Rural locations can stretch to 90 minutes or more. If you are on a major highway, some states run road service patrols (like HERO in Georgia or FAST in California) that may reach you faster at no charge.
**Q: Should I call a tire shop directly instead of a tow company?**
A: Yes, if you are near a metro area. Many tire shops like Discount Tire and Firestone will tell you over the phone if they have your size in stock. If they do, have the tow company take you directly there instead of going home first. This saves a second tow.
**Q: What if I have no money to pay for a tow right now?**
A: Most tow companies accept credit cards. If you have zero options, call 511 (the nationwide road information number) or local non-emergency police. Officers can sometimes contact a state-contracted tow for a disabled vehicle, though you will still owe the fee. Some states waive tow costs for disabled vehicles on freeways in certain situations. [Flat Tire No Spare No Roadside Assistance](/flat-tire-no-spare-no-roadside-assistance-options/) covers more options for when you have nothing to work with.
**Q: Can the tow truck driver just fill my spare and leave instead of towing?**
A: Sometimes. If the spare is flat from a simple valve stem failure, a driver with an air compressor can inflate it roadside. But most roadside tow drivers do not carry replacement valve cores or patch kits. If the spare has a puncture or a cracked sidewall, inflating it is not safe. Ask when you call, but do not count on it.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/flat-tire-spare-is-also-flat-tow-cost/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Flat Tire Spare Is Also Flat: What a Tow Will Cost You
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