Steer toward the right shoulder, an exit ramp or a parking lot. Avoid stopping on a bridge, in a curve or just over a hill if you can help it, because other drivers have less time to see you. If the tire is flat, a short, slow roll to a safer spot is better than stopping in a lane. See Can I Drive on a Flat Tire? for the tradeoff.
Turn on your hazard lights right away. Turn your front wheels away from the road so that if you are struck, the vehicle rolls away from the travel lanes. If you have reflective triangles or flares and can place them without walking near traffic, do. Commercial drivers have specific warning-device requirements; see Semi Truck Blowout: Safety Steps.
On a busy interstate shoulder, staying inside with your seat belt on is often the safer choice. Get out only if there is a risk of fire, you smell fuel, or you can move well away from the road, behind a guardrail or fence, using the side away from traffic. Never stand between your vehicle and moving traffic.
Call 911 if anyone is hurt, if there is smoke or fire, if your vehicle is blocking a lane, or if you feel unsafe. For a routine flat or breakdown where you are off the road, you can request a pro through the quote form or the phone number on this site.
Say which way you were traveling, the last cross street or exit sign you passed and, if you can see a green mile marker sign on the shoulder, read the number from the sign. In Amarillo, I-40 crosses Soncy Road, Coulter Street, Western Street, Georgia Street, Washington Street, Grand Street, Eastern Street, Whitaker Road and Lakeside Drive, among others. More detail is on Flat Tire on I-40 near Amarillo. Your phone's map can also share a live pin.
If you drive for a company, call dispatch with your unit number, location, direction, load status and what failed. Some carriers have required roadside vendors, so ask before you pay anyone.
Texas law requires drivers to move over or slow down when approaching stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks and TxDOT vehicles. Do not count on every driver doing so. Keep clear of the traffic side, and keep children and pets inside the vehicle or well away from the road.
Panhandle summers are hot and winter nights can be very cold. Keep water, a blanket, a phone charger and a flashlight in the vehicle. In strong wind, be careful opening doors on the traffic side.
Be cautious about accepting help from strangers. Ask any pro for their business name and a quote before work starts. Services: Flat Tire Change, Mobile Tire Repair, Commercial & Semi Truck Tire Service.
When you call or fill out the form, the exit number you last passed or the nearest cross street is the fastest way to tell a tire pro where you are. These are the I-40 exits through Amarillo, west to east.
| Exit 64 | Soncy Road |
| Exit 65 | Coulter Street |
| Exit 67 | Western Street |
| Exit 68B | Georgia Street |
| Exit 69B | Washington Street |
| Exit 70 | I-27 south / US 87 / US 287 north (toward Canyon, Dumas, Pampa) |
| Exit 72B | Grand Street |
| Exit 73 | Eastern Street |
| Exit 74 | Whitaker Road |
| Exit 75 | Loop 335 (Lakeside Drive) |
| Exit 76 | Spur 468 (Airport Boulevard) |
| Exit 77 | FM 1258 (Pullman Road) |
| Exit 78 | US 287 south (eastbound exit) |
Exit numbers come from public highway listings and can change with construction, and a few ramps only work in one direction. Always go by the exit sign and mile marker you can actually see, and say which way you were heading, eastbound or westbound.