What to Do If Your Car Breaks Down on I-290: A Step-by-Step Guide

Breaking down on a busy highway is stressful. When it happens on I-290—one of Chicagoland's busiest expressways—it can feel downright dangerous. Between the heavy traffic flow through Elk Grove Village, the trucks heading to and from O'Hare, and drivers pushing 70+ mph, a disabled vehicle becomes a serious safety concern fast.

If your car breaks down on I-290 or any major highway, knowing what to do in those first critical minutes can keep you safe and get you back on the road faster. Here's exactly what to do.

Step 1: Get to Safety Immediately

The moment you realize your car is losing power, overheating, or making that noise that means nothing good—start looking for a safe place to pull over.

Where to pull over:

• The right shoulder is your best option. Get as far right as possible, even if it means driving on the rumble strips.

• If you can't make it to the shoulder, pull into the far-right lane and turn on your hazard lights immediately.

• Avoid stopping on the left shoulder unless you absolutely have no other choice. It's more dangerous because traffic passes on both sides.

Turn on your hazard lights the second you start pulling over. This signals to other drivers that you're in distress and gives them time to move around you.

If it's dark, raining, or foggy, visibility is even worse. Getting completely off the travel lanes is critical.

Step 2: Stay in Your Vehicle (Usually)

Once you're stopped, stay inside your car with your seatbelt on—especially if you're on a busy highway like I-290.

Stepping out of your vehicle on the shoulder of a highway puts you in immediate danger. Drivers aren't expecting pedestrians on the expressway, and shoulders are narrower than they look when trucks are flying past at 65 mph.

When you SHOULD exit your vehicle:

• If you smell smoke or see flames

• If your car is still partially in a travel lane and you can safely exit and get completely off the road (behind a guardrail or barrier)

• If a police officer or emergency responder instructs you to

If you do exit:

• Get out through the passenger side door (away from traffic)

• Move as far from the road as possible—behind a guardrail if one exists

• Never stand behind or in front of your vehicle

Step 3: Call for Help Right Away

Don't wait to see if your car will magically start working again. The longer you sit on the shoulder of I-290, the greater the risk of being hit by another vehicle.

Call a tow truck immediately: (773) 340-4272

When you call Done Deal Towing, we'll ask:

• Where you are (mile marker, nearest exit, landmarks)

• What's wrong with your vehicle (if you know)

• Whether you're in a safe location

Our team knows I-290 well—we respond to calls on this highway regularly. We'll dispatch a truck to your location right away and give you an estimated arrival time (typically under 30 minutes in the Elk Grove Village area).

Should you call 911?

• Yes, if you're in immediate danger (your car is in a travel lane and won't move, there's been an accident, or you feel unsafe)

• No, if you're safely on the shoulder and just need a tow—call a towing company directly for faster service

Step 4: Make Your Vehicle Visible

While you're waiting for the tow truck:

Turn on your hazard lights (if you haven't already). Keep them on until help arrives.

If you have emergency triangles or flares, and you can safely place them without stepping into traffic, set them up 200-300 feet behind your vehicle. This gives approaching drivers advance warning.

At night: Turn on your interior dome light so other drivers can see there's a person inside the vehicle.

Tie something bright to your antenna or door handle if you have it (a piece of cloth, a shirt, anything visible). This helps the tow truck driver spot you faster, especially in heavy traffic.

Step 5: What NOT to Do

Don't accept help from strangers.

It's tempting to flag down a passing driver or accept help from someone who pulls over, but this can be dangerous. Wait for the professionals. Scam artists and opportunistic criminals sometimes target stranded motorists. If someone pulls over and offers help, politely tell them you've already called for a tow and you're fine.

Don't try to fix your car on the shoulder.

Even if you think it's something simple like a loose belt or an overheated engine, don't attempt repairs on the side of I-290. The risk of being hit by a distracted driver far outweighs the convenience of a quick fix. Get your car towed to a safe location and deal with repairs there.

Don't walk along the highway to the nearest exit.

It might only be half a mile to the next exit, but walking on the shoulder of an expressway is illegal in Illinois and incredibly dangerous. Stay with your vehicle or move to a safe spot off the roadway, and wait for your tow truck.

How Done Deal Towing Handles Highway Breakdowns

When you call Done Deal Towing for a highway breakdown, here's what happens:

1. Fast dispatch: We're based in Elk Grove Village, right off I-290, so our average response time is under 30 minutes—often much faster for highway calls.

2. Safety first: Our operators are trained to work safely in high-traffic environments. We use proper lighting, traffic cones, and positioning to protect both you and our crew.

3. All vehicle types: Whether you're in a compact car, a pickup truck, or even a commercial vehicle, we have the equipment to handle it.

4. Direct communication: You'll get updates on our arrival time, and our driver will call you when they're close so you know help is on the way.

5. No surprises: We quote pricing upfront, so you know what to expect before we hook up your vehicle.

Prevention Tips: Avoid Breakdowns Before They Happen

While some breakdowns are unavoidable, many can be prevented with regular maintenance:

✅ Check your battery — Most breakdowns are battery-related. If your battery is more than 3 years old, have it tested.

✅ Monitor fluid levels — Low oil, coolant, or transmission fluid can cause catastrophic engine failure.

✅ Watch your tire pressure — Underinflated tires can blow out, especially at highway speeds.

✅ Don't ignore warning lights — That check engine light is there for a reason. Get it diagnosed before it becomes a roadside emergency.

✅ Keep your gas tank above 1/4 full — Running out of gas on I-290 is 100% preventable.

Final Thoughts: Stay Calm, Stay Safe, Call for Help

Breaking down on I-290 is never fun, but staying calm and following these steps will keep you safe until help arrives.

Remember:

• Pull over as far right as possible

• Stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on (unless it's unsafe to do so)

• Call for a tow truck immediately: (773) 340-4272

• Don't accept help from strangers or try to repair your car on the highway

Done Deal Towing is available 24/7 to help drivers stranded on I-290, I-390, and throughout the Chicagoland area. We know the roads, we respond fast, and we'll get you and your vehicle to safety.

Need a tow? Call us now: (773) 340-4272

About Done Deal Towing

Done Deal Towing & Recovery is a family-owned towing company based in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. We provide 24/7 emergency towing, roadside assistance, and heavy-duty recovery services across the Chicagoland area. Whether you're stranded on the highway or need a planned tow, our team is ready to help.