> **Quick Answer:** Do not brake hard. Grip the wheel firmly with both hands, ease off the gas, and let the car slow naturally. Steer straight or slightly toward the shoulder. Once under 30 mph, gently brake and pull completely off the road. Turn on hazards, get out on the passenger side if possible, and call for help. Do not try to drive on a blown tire.
## What Do I Do in the First 10 Seconds of a Blowout at 70 mph?
Grip the wheel and hold your lane. Your instinct will be to brake or jerk the wheel, and both of those will make things worse. A rear blowout pushes the back of the car sideways. A front blowout pulls hard to the blown side. In either case, a sudden steering correction or hard brake at highway speed can send you into a spin or flip.
Keep steady pressure on the wheel, ease completely off the gas, and do not touch the brake pedal until you are well below 45 mph. Let engine braking and road friction do the work. Once the car slows enough that you have real steering control, ease toward the right shoulder with smooth, gradual inputs. Signal if you can, but controlling the car comes first.
## Is It Safe to Drive Even a Short Distance on a Blown Tire?
No. A blown tire means the sidewall has failed. The rim is sitting on or near the road surface. Driving even a quarter mile will destroy the rim, damage the wheel hub, and can cause you to lose steering entirely. Pull off now, even if you have to take an exit ramp on a shredded tire at low speed to reach a safer spot.
If you cannot safely reach the shoulder, a breakdown lane, or an exit, use your hazards and come to a controlled stop as far right as possible. A damaged wheel is a repair bill. Getting rear-ended because you stayed in a travel lane is worse.
## Once I Stop, How Do I Stay Safe on the Highway Shoulder?
Stay in the car with your seatbelt on if traffic is passing close. Exit only through the passenger-side door and stay behind the guardrail if one is present. Shoulders on interstates like I-70 or I-80 can see vehicles passing at 70 mph within feet of where you are standing. That is not exaggeration, that is physics.
Turn on your hazard lights the moment the blowout happens and leave them on. If you have road flares or an LED triangle reflector, place them 100 to 200 feet behind the car. Do not stand behind the vehicle. Call 911 if you feel unsafe or if the shoulder is too narrow, and call a tow if you do not have a functional spare. For more on staying safe while you wait, see [how to stay safe waiting for a tow truck on the highway](/how-to-stay-safe-waiting-for-tow-truck-on-highway/).
## Can I Change the Tire Myself or Do I Need a Tow?
If you have a full-size spare or a compact spare (the narrow "donut" spare), you can change the tire yourself on a flat, stable shoulder. A compact spare is rated for 50 mph maximum and typically no more than 50 to 70 miles. It is a get-you-to-a-shop solution, not a long-distance one.
If you have no spare, run-flat tires that have already been run flat, or a damaged rim, you need a tow. Run-flat tires, which are common on BMW, MINI, and some Toyota models, can
*Photo: Pexels*
be driven at low speed after pressure loss, but once a run-flat has been driven flat past its limit (check your owner's manual, usually 50 miles at 50 mph), it cannot be repaired and must be replaced. Check out [flat tire no spare: what are your options](/flat-tire-no-spare-what-are-my-options/) if you are stuck without a spare, and [does roadside assistance cover a flat tire on the rim](/does-roadside-assistance-cover-flat-tire-on-rim/) to know what your coverage will actually handle.
## What Does a Tire Blowout Tow Actually Cost?
A local tow from a highway shoulder runs roughly $75 to $150 for the first few miles, depending on where you are and who shows up. Roadside assistance through AAA, GEICO, State Farm, or Progressive will typically cover the tow to the nearest shop. If you are far from a metropolitan area, a long-distance tow can cost $3 to $7 per mile beyond the first covered miles.
If your car needs more than a tire, say the rim is cracked or the wheel hub is bent, the tow bill is the least of your expenses. Call your roadside provider first. If you pay out of pocket, keep the receipt for reimbursement.
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*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Why does a tire blow out on the highway without warning?**
A: Most highway blowouts are caused by underinflated tires that flex excessively and build up heat until the sidewall fails. A tire that looks fine visually can be 15 to 20 psi low and at serious risk. Hitting road debris or a pothole at speed can also trigger an instant structural failure.
**Q: Should I steer toward the blowout or away from it?**
A: Steer toward the side of the blowout slightly to maintain control. If your right front tire blows, the car will pull right. Resisting that pull hard often overcorrects into the left lane. Instead, let the car track slightly toward the flat and manage it from there.
**Q: Is it okay to use my parking brake to stop after a blowout?**
A: No. The parking brake engages the rear wheels only and can cause the rear of the car to skid sideways, especially on a rear blowout. Use light, gradual pressure on the regular brake pedal only after you are below 45 mph.
**Q: Will my insurance cover a blowout and the tow?**
A: Roadside assistance riders on most auto policies cover the tow. The tire itself is usually not covered unless the blowout was caused by a covered event like road debris hitting the tire, which may fall under comprehensive. Call your insurer before paying out of pocket. See [does car insurance cover towing after an accident](/does-car-insurance-cover-towing-after-accident/) for more on what policies typically pay.
**Q: How do I know if my rim is damaged after a blowout?**
A: Visually inspect the rim for cracks, deep gouges, or a bent lip. If the rim looks straight but the car pulls or vibrates when you drive on the spare, have the wheel and hub inspected before assuming it is fine. A bent rim often cannot be reliably repaired and needs replacement.
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*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/tire-blowout-on-highway-70-mph-what-to-do-immediately/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Tire Blowout on Highway at 70 mph: What to Do Immediately
Photo: Pexels