> **Quick Answer:** If your spare is a compact "donut" rated under 50 mph, visibly cracked, or underinflated, do not drive it to a mechanic more than a mile or two. Call a tow. A local tow to a tire shop runs $75 to $150 in most U.S. cities. If you have roadside assistance through your insurer or AAA, that tow is likely free or heavily discounted.
## Is My Spare Actually Safe to Drive On?
Most spares are not designed for highway speeds or long distances. A compact spare, the narrow donut-style wheel found in most sedans built after the mid-1990s, is rated for a maximum of 50 mph and typically no more than 50 to 70 miles of total use. If the tire shop is three exits down the highway, you are probably fine. If it is across town, you are pushing it.
Check these before you move the car at all:
- **Inflation:** The spare needs to be at 60 PSI if it is a compact spare. Most people never check it. A flat spare is useless and dangerous.
- **Condition:** Look for cracking in the sidewall or tread. Rubber degrades even when a tire is never driven on.
- **Vehicle compatibility:** Some full-size spares from older vehicles do not have the correct offset for modern cars and will stress the wheel bearing or brake caliper if driven.
If any of those three fail, do not drive on it. You need a tow.
## How Much Will a Tow to a Tire Shop Actually Cost?
A standard local tow to a tire shop costs between $75 and $150 for the first 5 to 10 miles in most markets, with a per-mile rate of $3 to $7 after that. Flatbed tows run $10 to $20 more than wheel-lift tows but are safer for all-wheel-drive and low-clearance vehicles.
A few things that move the price:
- **Time of day:** After-hours and weekend calls typically add $20 to $50.
- **Location:** Rural areas cost more per mile because the truck has to drive farther to reach you.
- **Membership or coverage:** AAA members and drivers with roadside assistance through their auto insurer (State Farm, GEICO, Progressive, etc.) often pay nothing out of pocket for a short local tow. Check your app or card in your wallet before you call a random truck.
For a broader look at out-of-pocket towing costs without coverage, see [how much does a tow truck cost without insurance](/how-much-does-a-tow-truck-cost-without-insurance/).
## What Do I Do Right Now While I Wait for the Tow?
Get as far off the roadway as you can, then stop moving. If you are on a highway, pull fully onto the shoulder past the white fog line. Turn your hazard lights on immediately, even before you have stopped completely.
Once stopped:
1. Stay in the car with your seatbelt on if you are on a high-speed road. Being outside on the shoulder of a freeway is more dangerous than sitting inside.
2. If you must get out (to put up warning triangles or flares), exit from the passenger side away from traffic.
3. Place warning triangles or flares 50 to 100 feet behind the car. Triangles are reusable and safer in
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dry conditions. Flares are more visible in rain or fog.
4. Call for a tow, then text your location to someone who knows you are on the road.
If you had a high-speed blowout at highway speeds, also read [blowout on highway at 70 mph: what to do right now](/blowout-on-highway-at-70-mph-what-to-do/) for specific handling advice right after the tire goes.
## Will Insurance or Roadside Assistance Pay for This Tow?
Your auto insurer may cover this at no cost to you, depending on your policy. Many comprehensive auto policies include roadside assistance as an add-on for a few dollars a month, and it typically covers one tow per incident to the nearest qualified repair shop.
Call or use your insurer's app first. Do not call a tow company and then try to get reimbursed afterward. Reimbursement is slower and sometimes capped below the actual bill.
If you have State Farm specifically, coverage limits vary by tier. See [State Farm roadside assistance towing coverage limit](/state-farm-roadside-assistance-towing-coverage-limit/) to know your actual cap before you commit to a truck.
If you have no coverage at all, your credit card may have roadside assistance built in. Visa Signature and some Mastercard tiers include it. Check the number on the back of your card.
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## Common Questions
**Q: Can I drive on a donut spare for 20 miles to reach my mechanic?**
A: Possibly, but only if the spare is properly inflated to 60 PSI, the road is surface street speed (under 50 mph), and the tire shows no cracking. If any of those conditions are off, tow it.
**Q: What if my spare is also flat when I pull it out?**
A: You have no drive option. Call a tow truck or roadside assistance. Do not drive on a flat spare under any circumstances, even for a block. See your options if you have no working spare at [flat tire no spare no roadside assistance](/flat-tire-no-spare-no-roadside-assistance-options/).
**Q: How do I find a tow truck quickly without getting overcharged?**
A: Call your insurer's roadside line first. If you have no coverage, use Google Maps to search "tow truck near me," call two companies, and get a price before they arrive. Ask for the hookup fee and per-mile rate separately.
**Q: Does a blowout damage anything besides the tire?**
A: It can. A violent blowout at speed sometimes damages the wheel, the fender liner, or the brake line. Have the shop inspect the wheel and surrounding components before mounting a new tire, not just the tire itself.
**Q: Is it safe to change a blown tire on the highway shoulder myself?**
A: Only if you are fully clear of traffic, the ground is level and firm, and you can do it quickly. On a busy interstate, waiting for a tow is safer than kneeling on the shoulder next to 70 mph traffic.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/tire-blew-out-spare-tire-not-safe-to-drive-to-mechanic-towing-cost/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Tire Blew Out and Spare Isn't Safe: What Towing Will Cost You
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