Tire Blowout on an Atlanta Highway: What to Do

A tire blowout at highway speed on I-285 or I-75 in Atlanta is one of the most dangerous roadside situations you can face. The instinct to brake hard is wrong — here's the correct technique and what to do next.

During the blowout: Grip the steering wheel firmly. Do not brake sharply — this can cause a spin. Instead, maintain your speed briefly, steer straight, then gradually ease off the accelerator and let the vehicle slow naturally. Steer to the shoulder with gentle pressure and brake softly only after the vehicle has slowed.

After stopping: Turn on hazard lights immediately. If you're on I-285, I-85, I-75, or I-20, do not attempt to change the tire on the travel shoulder — these highways have minimal shoulder width and high traffic speeds. Call for roadside assistance instead.

When to call us vs. change it yourself: On Atlanta interstates and high-speed roads, call for roadside assistance rather than exposing yourself to traffic. On surface streets where you can park completely off the road, a DIY spare mount is safer. We carry portable tire change equipment for surface street calls.

Atlanta Towing Service provides roadside tire change service and towing for vehicles with blowout damage. If your wheel or rim is damaged, towing to a tire shop is the right move.