> **Quick Answer:** Grip the wheel firmly with both hands, ease off the gas slowly, do not brake hard, and steer straight until the car slows on its own. Once below 30 mph, gently steer onto the shoulder. Get as far off the roadway as possible, turn on hazard lights, and call for help. Do not attempt to drive on a blown tire.
## What Do I Do in the First Few Seconds of a Tire Blowout?
Keep your hands on the wheel and do not panic-brake. A rear blowout pushes the car from behind; a front blowout pulls the steering hard to one side. Either way, your instinct to brake is wrong in the first few seconds. Lift your foot off the gas and let aerodynamic drag and rolling resistance slow the car naturally. Hold a straight line. Once you feel the car settle and speed drops below 30 mph, apply light, steady brake pressure and guide the vehicle onto the shoulder.
The entire controlled slowdown from highway speed to shoulder stop typically takes 10 to 15 seconds. That window feels long when your heart is racing, but the car is still very controllable if you don't overcorrect or stomp the brakes.
## How Far Off the Road Should I Get?
Get the car as far right as possible, ideally past the white fog line and onto the full paved shoulder. If there is a highway gore area or a wide concrete apron, use it. The further your vehicle is from the travel lane, the less likely a passing truck creates a wind blast that shoves someone into traffic while they're changing a tire or waiting for help.
On interstates like I-70 or I-95, shoulders vary widely. Some are 12 feet wide; some narrow to almost nothing near bridges and overpasses. If your shoulder is less than 8 feet wide or nonexistent, do not stop there. Continue rolling slowly on the flat tire until you reach a wider spot, an exit ramp, or a rest area. A destroyed rim is far cheaper than getting struck on a narrow shoulder.
## Should I Change the Tire Myself or Call for Help?
On a highway, calling for help is almost always the safer choice. If you have roadside assistance through your insurer, AAA, or a service like [Allstate roadside](/allstate-roadside-assistance-how-many-times-per-year/), use it. A tow truck or tire service truck has emergency lights, traffic cones, and a driver who works in traffic every day.
If you decide to change the tire yourself, follow these rules without shortcuts:
- Exit on the passenger side, away from traffic.
- Place wheel wedges or large rocks behind the tires before jacking.
- Never get under the car on a highway shoulder.
- Keep the damaged tire's location between you and the lane. Do not stand on the traffic side.
- Once the spare is on, drive no faster than 50 mph. A compact spare (the narrow "donut" type) is rated for temporary use only, usually under 70 miles total.
If your spare is also flat, do not try to improvise. Read what to do in [that specific situation](/tire-blew-out-spare-is-also-flat-what-to-do/) before you get stuck further.
## What Do I Do Once the Car Is Stopped Safely?
Turn on your hazard lights the moment you feel the blowout. Keep them on continuously until help arrives. Once stopped on the shoulder, do this in order:
1. Put the car i
*Photo: Pexels*
n park and set the parking brake.
2. Exit from the passenger side if traffic is to your left.
3. Get everyone out of the vehicle and move them well behind the guardrail or up the embankment, not behind the car.
4. Place reflective triangles or flares at least 100 feet behind your vehicle, further on curves or hills.
5. Call 911 if you are in a dangerous position, or call your roadside assistance provider if you are safely off the road.
If you're unsure who to call and don't have roadside assistance, the guidance in [ran out of gas on highway at night](/ran-out-of-gas-on-highway-at-night-what-to-do/) covers the same phone tree: 911 for danger, state police non-emergency line for a safe but stuck situation, and a private tow company as a last resort.
## Will I Need a Tow After a Blowout?
Usually, no tow is needed if the spare is serviceable and you can change it safely. But you will need a tow if the rim is bent or cracked from driving on the flat, if you have a run-flat tire that has exceeded its post-deflation distance limit, or if no spare is available. If you drive a vehicle equipped with run-flat tires, check whether [you can still get it to a shop](/run-flat-tire-blowout-can-i-drive-to-shop/) or whether the tire has already taken too much damage.
Tow costs after a blowout are the same as any other tow: typically $75 to $150 for a local hookup and a few miles of transport. That number climbs fast if you're on a rural stretch far from the nearest shop.
---
*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Is it okay to drive slowly on a blown tire to reach an exit?**
A: Yes, briefly and slowly. Crawling at under 20 mph to reach a safer stopping spot is acceptable. Going further risks destroying the rim and losing control entirely. Get off the highway as soon as any exit or wide shoulder appears.
**Q: Why did my tire blow out without warning?**
A: The most common causes are a road hazard impact (pothole, debris), severe underinflation over time, or a tire that was past its service life. Tires older than six years degrade internally even if tread looks fine. Check the four-digit DOT date code on the sidewall.
**Q: Can I drive home on a donut spare after a highway blowout?**
A: Only if home is close and you stay under 50 mph. Compact spares are not built for sustained highway driving. Get the blown tire replaced at a shop before putting real miles on the car.
**Q: Do I need to call 911 after a highway blowout?**
A: Call 911 if anyone is injured, if the car is blocking a lane, or if you're in a dangerous position with no safe exit. If you're fully on the shoulder with hazards on, call your roadside service or a tow company instead and keep 911 available for emergencies.
**Q: What should I tell the tow truck dispatcher after a blowout?**
A: Give them your direction of travel, the nearest mile marker or exit number, the lane side your car is on, and whether you're on the shoulder or still partially in the lane. That information gets a driver to you faster and tells them what equipment to bring.
---
*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/tire-blowout-on-highway-steps-to-take/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Tire Blowout on Highway: Steps to Take Right Now
Photo: Pexels