Broke down on a
Texas highway?
Six-step roadside checklist for semi truck drivers on I-20, I-35, I-10, and the South Texas corridors. Safety first, then a mobile diesel mechanic — most faults get fixed on the shoulder without a tow.
The six-step checklist
Work top to bottom. The first four steps protect you and the load. The last two get a truck rolling to you.
- 01
Get off the travel lane if you can
If the truck will still roll, ease onto the right shoulder past the white line — further off the pavement is safer, especially on I-20 and I-35 where 75 mph traffic doesn't slow for a breakdown. If you can't move, stay belted in the cab until traffic clears.
- 02
Hazards on, wheels chocked
Four-way flashers immediately. Turn wheels away from traffic. On a grade, chock a drive tire. Kill the parking brake only if you're rolling to a safer spot.
- 03
Deploy your reflective triangles (FMCSA rule)
Within 10 minutes: place three triangles — one 10 ft behind the trailer on the traffic side, one 100 ft behind, one 100 ft ahead. On divided highways like I-10, I-20, and I-35, put all three behind the truck at 10, 100, and 200 ft.
- 04
Note exactly where you are
Mile marker, exit number, direction of travel, and nearest cross street. Texas mile markers climb west-to-east on I-20 and south-to-north on I-35 — reading the last marker you passed saves dispatch (and DPS) minutes.
- 05
Call for mobile repair — not a tow, yet
A mobile diesel mechanic can often get you rolling in one visit for air, electrical, cooling, fuel, or drivetrain faults. A tow costs more and puts your load on someone else's clock. Call dispatch first, decide from there.
- 06
Have this ready before you dial
Unit type and make. Symptom in one sentence. Mile marker + direction. Load and time pressure. That's a 30-second call instead of a five-minute one — and a truck rolling to you sooner.
Texas corridors we roll
If your breakdown is on one of these, dispatch already knows the nearest exits, weigh stations, and shoulder widths.
- I-20Odessa · Midland · east toward Dallas
- I-10Corpus Christi feed · west toward San Antonio & El Paso
- I-35Laredo · north through San Antonio & Austin
- US-59 / I-69South Texas freight corridor