> **Quick Answer:** Your first call depends on the situation. If there's any safety risk, call 911. If you're just stuck, call Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) at 511, which is free on most LA freeways during commute hours. After that, call your roadside assistance provider or a private tow truck. Get off the travel lanes first, then make calls.
## Who Should I Call First When I Break Down on the 405 or Any LA Freeway?
Call 911 if you're in a lane, injured, or in immediate danger. Otherwise, call 511 to reach Freeway Service Patrol, a free roving tow and assistance program run by Caltrans and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority on major corridors including the 405, 101, 10, 110, and 91.
FSP trucks patrol during peak hours, roughly 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays. They can push you to a safe spot, change a flat, give you a gallon of gas, or call a tow. The service costs nothing. Outside FSP hours, you go straight to your roadside provider or a private tow.
## How Do I Use Freeway Service Patrol and What Can They Actually Do?
Pull completely onto the right shoulder first, then call 511 and select the FSP option. FSP is available on most high-traffic LA freeways, including stretches of the I-5 through downtown and the I-10 between Santa Monica and East LA.
FSP drivers carry basic tools, a small fuel supply, water for overheating engines, and jump start equipment. They can handle a lot of minor breakdowns on the spot. What they cannot do is tow you to a shop of your choice. If your car needs a real tow, FSP will push you clear and you call a tow truck from the shoulder.
## What If FSP Is Not Available or My Car Needs a Real Tow?
Call your roadside assistance provider, your insurer's roadside line, or a private tow company directly. AAA has strong coverage throughout the LA basin. If you have no coverage, expect to pay out of pocket. For what that costs, see our breakdown of [towing costs on LA freeways](/towing-cost-in-los-angeles-california-freeway/).
Be specific when you call: give your direction of travel, the nearest on-ramp or cross street, and your mileage marker if you can see one. On the 10 westbound near the La Cienega exit, for example, there are green mileage markers on the right guardrail. That one detail cuts your wait time because the dispatcher can route the truck directly.
If you have no roadside plan, you can call a private tow directly. Response times on LA freeways vary. During rush hour on the 405 between the 10 and the 101, waits of 45 to 60 minutes are realistic. Have a backup plan and stay off the travel lane the entire time. For a full picture of what you'll owe without coverage, see [towing cost in Los Angeles with no insurance](/towing-cost-los-angeles-california-no-insurance/).
## Is It Safe to Stay in My Car While Waiting on an LA Freeway?
No. Get out of the car on the passenger side and move behind the guardrail if there is one. California Highway Patrol and Caltrans both advise that staying inside a stopped vehicle on the shoulder is one of the most dangerous positions on a freeway.
*Photo: Pexels*
Secondary collisions, where another driver drifts onto the shoulder and hits a stopped car, happen regularly on high-speed corridors like the 101 through the Cahuenga Pass and the 110 near the Harbor Gateway.
Turn on your hazard lights the moment you feel the car failing. Once stopped, keep them on. If you have road flares or reflective triangles, deploy them at least 50 feet behind the vehicle. Stay on the other side of the guardrail, face oncoming traffic, and keep your phone visible so you can wave down FSP or emergency vehicles.
## What If I Break Down at Night or in a Tunnel or on the 110 Elevated Section?
Call 911 immediately if you are in a tunnel or on an elevated section with no shoulder. Locations like the 110 through the 4th Street tunnel downtown or the elevated viaduct sections near the 101 and 110 interchange have almost no safe standing room. Highway patrol can respond faster than any tow service and can control traffic while you wait.
At night on any LA freeway, the same rules apply but visibility is worse. Stay well behind the guardrail, do not stand near the rear of your vehicle, and keep your phone's flashlight pointed toward traffic. If you have kids in the car, get them out and over the barrier with you immediately. [Breaking down with kids in the car](/car-broke-down-with-kids-in-car-safety-steps/) requires a few extra steps worth knowing before you need them.
---
*Photo: Pexels*
## Common Questions
**Q: Is Freeway Service Patrol really free in Los Angeles?**
A: Yes. FSP is funded by Caltrans and Metro and costs you nothing during its operating hours. You do not tip and you do not get billed. The one catch: they will not tow you to a shop of your choosing, only clear you from the travel lane.
**Q: What is the number for Freeway Service Patrol in LA?**
A: Dial 511 and select the FSP option. You can also flag down a gold-and-white FSP truck directly if one passes you. Do not call 411 or look for a direct FSP dispatch line; 511 is the correct entry point.
**Q: Does CHP tow my car or just respond to the scene?**
A: CHP will respond and secure the scene, but they typically call a contracted rotation tow company, not one you choose. Those rotation tows can be expensive. If you have time, call your own tow service before CHP arranges one for you.
**Q: How long does a tow truck take to reach me on the 405 or 10 freeway in LA?**
A: During off-peak hours, 20 to 35 minutes is typical. During rush hour on congested corridors like the 405 between the 10 and 101, plan for 45 to 75 minutes. Give the dispatcher your exact location and stay on the line if possible.
**Q: What if I break down in a lane and cannot get to the shoulder?**
A: Call 911 immediately. Turn on hazards, stay buckled until CHP or FSP arrives if you cannot safely exit the vehicle, and if you can get out safely, exit from the passenger side away from traffic. Do not try to push the car yourself in live traffic.
---
*Need roadside help? Visit [Tow With The Flow](https://towwiththeflow.com/who-do-i-call-if-my-car-breaks-down-on-a-freeway-in-los-angeles/) for real answers when your car breaks down.*
Who Do I Call If My Car Breaks Down on a Freeway in Los Angeles
Photo: Pexels