Why highway fuel situations are more dangerous
A vehicle out of fuel on a highway is in a significantly more dangerous situation than one on a surface street. See the complete guide to what to do when you run out of gas. Highway traffic moves at 65-80 mph, shoulder widths vary dramatically, and drivers have less time to react to a stopped vehicle.\n\nPedestrians walking on highway shoulders are among the most vulnerable road users. A driver at 70 mph has approximately two seconds to react to a pedestrian visible on the shoulder from 200 feet. In poor visibility conditions — night, rain, glare — reaction time is even shorter. Walking along a highway to find fuel is dangerous and should not be attempted except in genuine emergencies with no other option.\n\nThe stopped vehicle itself is also a hazard. Research consistently shows that vehicles parked on highway shoulders are struck at a significant rate — particularly when the shoulder is narrow or when visibility is reduced. Getting as far from the travel lane as possible, turning on all lights, and deploying warning devices reduces but does not eliminate this risk.
What to do when you run out of gas on a highway
The sequence for a highway fuel situation prioritizes safety above all else.\n\nGet as far right as possible before the engine stops. The moment you recognize the car is losing power or you see the low fuel warning, signal right and begin moving toward the shoulder. Use every bit of remaining momentum to get the vehicle past the white fog line and as far onto the shoulder as possible.\n\nTurn on all hazard lights and every exterior light you can. Visibility is your primary defense against being struck. Hazard lights, parking lights, and any emergency lights you carry should all be on.\n\nDo not exit the vehicle into the travel lane or into the shoulder area between your car and traffic. If you must exit, do so from the passenger side and move away from the vehicle to a protected area — behind a barrier, up a grassy embankment, or as far from the road as the geography allows.
Calling for highway fuel delivery
Highway fuel delivery is a standard covered service through most roadside programs. See what your roadside membership covers for fuel delivery. The response process is the same as any fuel delivery call — but your location description needs to be precise because highway shoulders are not easily visible to approaching technicians.\n\nGive your highway number, direction of travel, and mile marker. Mile markers are the green numbered signs visible every mile on most US highways. If you cannot find a mile marker, give the most recent exit number you passed and estimate how far you have traveled since that exit.\n\nIf your cell signal is weak on the highway shoulder, call 911. State patrol dispatch can summon help and may send an officer to the scene while you wait — both for safety and to prevent secondary accidents around a stopped vehicle.
Staying safe while waiting on a highway shoulder
The wait for fuel delivery on a highway shoulder requires active attention to your surroundings. See realistic fuel delivery response times by location.\n\nExit the vehicle when safe and move away from it. A vehicle struck from behind while you are inside is a serious danger. If the shoulder is wide enough, exiting and standing well away from the vehicle — 50-100 feet ahead or behind it, not between the car and traffic — is safer than sitting inside.\n\nDo not deploy triangles or flares in a position that requires you to stand in or near the travel lane. Place them quickly from the shoulder side of the vehicle and retreat immediately.\n\nIf it is dark and you have a reflective vest or bright jacket, wear it. Visibility to approaching drivers is the most important safety factor in a highway shoulder situation.