The most important distinction: is anyone inside the vehicle
If a child, pet, or anyone else is inside the locked vehicle, the situation is an emergency that changes everything.\n\nA child or pet locked in a vehicle in warm or hot weather is a life-threatening emergency. Core body temperature rises rapidly in a hot car — a 70-degree day can produce a car interior temperature of 110 degrees within 20 minutes. Call 911 immediately. Do not wait for a locksmith or roadside service. If emergency services cannot arrive within minutes, break the window at the rear of the vehicle away from the child or pet.\n\nFor a child or pet locked in a vehicle in mild or cool weather, call 911 and a locksmith simultaneously. A police officer can open most vehicles quickly and can authorize a window break if necessary. Do not leave a child or pet alone in a locked vehicle while you go find help.
Keys locked in car at home
Locked keys in the car in your own driveway is the least urgent version of this situation.\n\nIf you have a spare key inside the house, the solution is immediate. If you do not have a spare, a roadside operator or locksmith can typically respond same-day and the cost is $50-100.\n\nIf you have a manufacturer connected car app and your vehicle supports remote unlock, try that first. Many current model vehicles can be unlocked from a smartphone app in seconds without a service call.\n\nFor a non-urgent home lockout, comparing a few locksmith prices before committing is worth the 10 minutes — there is no time pressure and rates vary meaningfully in the local locksmith market.
Keys locked in car away from home
A lockout away from home has more urgency because you may be in an unfamiliar area, on a schedule, or in an uncomfortable location.\n\nCall your roadside membership first. AAA, insurance-based roadside, and manufacturer programs all include lockout service and typically dispatch faster than calling a local operator cold. The membership dispatch has pre-vetted operators and an ETA you can rely on.\n\nIf you do not have a membership, search for roadside assistance or lockout service near your location rather than locksmith — roadside operators typically respond faster and may have better pricing for a standard vehicle lockout than a traditional locksmith.\n\nWhile waiting, move to a safe, visible location — a store entrance, a gas station, a public area with good lighting — rather than waiting at the vehicle if the location feels unsafe. Give the dispatcher or operator your phone number so they can call when they arrive.
Keys locked in car at night
A nighttime lockout adds safety and availability considerations to the standard situation.\n\nAvailability: Most roadside membership programs operate 24 hours and maintain after-hours operator networks. Response times may be longer at 2am than at 2pm but coverage exists. Local locksmiths vary significantly in after-hours availability — some operate 24 hours, others do not. Roadside membership dispatch is typically more reliable for late-night lockouts than searching for a local locksmith.\n\nSafety: A nighttime lockout in an unfamiliar or unsafe location is a safety concern beyond just the inconvenience of the lockout. Move to the nearest lit public location — a convenience store, a gas station, a 24-hour business — while waiting for help rather than standing alone in a dark parking lot. Let someone you trust know your location and situation.\n\nCost: After-hours lockout service typically costs 25-50% more than daytime rates. If you have a roadside membership, after-hours surcharges are typically absorbed by the membership. See the full guide to nighttime car lockouts for additional after-hours considerations. See what lockout service costs. See how to find lockout service near you.