Free on covered routes
Free roadside assistance in
California: Freeway Service Patrol.
California's Freeway Service Patrol uses privately owned tow trucks to provide no-charge help on designated congested urban freeway routes.
Official sources checked October 6, 2026From a mobile phone or freeway call box, call 511. Tell the operator the freeway, direction, nearest exit or landmark and vehicle description.
Designated routes in participating regions, including the Sacramento area, Bay Area, Central Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Inland Empire and parts of the Central Coast.
Generally weekday commute periods. Hours and days differ by regional route, with some construction-zone and expanded corridor service.
At a glance
Key facts about Freeway Service Patrol
This record separates the program operator, request method and actual patrol coverage so motorists can see what the published service does—and what it does not promise.
- Official program
- California Freeway Service Patrol
- Operating agency
- California Highway Patrol, Caltrans and local transportation agencies
- Published cost
- Free on covered routes
- Service area
- Designated routes in participating regions, including the Sacramento area, Bay Area, Central Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Inland Empire and parts of the Central Coast.
- Request or dispatch route
- From a mobile phone or freeway call box, call 511. Tell the operator the freeway, direction, nearest exit or landmark and vehicle description.
- Information checked
- October 6, 2026
Operator and base
Who runs Freeway Service Patrol
California Highway Patrol, Caltrans and local transportation agencies administers or operates this public motorist-assistance program. The service works through mobile patrol vehicles and traffic-management dispatch rather than as a repair shop that motorists visit.
The official program material reviewed for this page does not publish a public walk-in patrol base. Use the request or dispatch method above rather than traveling to an agency office for roadside help.
Patrol footprint
Where and when the service operates
Designated routes in participating regions, including the Sacramento area, Bay Area, Central Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Inland Empire and parts of the Central Coast.
Generally weekday commute periods. Hours and days differ by regional route, with some construction-zone and expanded corridor service.
The operating agency publishes coverage as a corridor, route or patrol-area description rather than a guaranteed pickup radius. A vehicle inside the described area is not guaranteed an available unit.
Published assistance
What Freeway Service Patrol can provide
These services are summarized from the operating agency's current public information. The attending operator decides what is safe and available at the scene.
- One gallon of fuel
- Battery jump-start
- Radiator water or a taped hose
- Flat-tire change when a usable spare is available
- Free tow to a CHP-approved drop location when the vehicle cannot be restarted
Before relying on it
Coverage and service limits
- This is not blanket statewide coverage; trucks patrol designated routes and times.
- The free tow is to a designated safe drop location, not a home or repair shop chosen by the motorist.
- The program does not tow motorcycles and normally does not assist at crashes unless directed by CHP.
If you are stranded
What to do before help arrives
These steps combine the program's published request guidance with basic roadside-safety precautions. Conditions at the scene always take priority.
- 01
Move as far away from live traffic as safely possible and switch on the vehicle's hazard lights.
- 02
Use the published request method for this program: From a mobile phone or freeway call box, call 511. Tell the operator the freeway, direction, nearest exit or landmark and vehicle description.
- 03
Call 911 for a crash, injury, fire, vehicle in a live lane or any other immediate danger.
Primary-source record
Check the operating agency
Routes, hours and program rules can change. Use the official sources below for the latest operating information.
