Quick Summary:
- Signal early, switch hazards on, and aim for the nearest safe shoulder.
- Get everyone behind a barrier, stay belted if unsafe to exit.
- Call roadside assistance or 911 if blocked, in live lanes.
- Keep fuel receipts and tow invoices to dispute car hire charges.
Running out of petrol on a California freeway can feel frightening, especially in a car hire where you are also thinking about fees, damage rules, and reporting steps. The priorities are always safety first, then communication, then paperwork. California freeways move fast, shoulders can be narrow, and stopping in a live lane is extremely dangerous. The goal is to get out of the flow of traffic as soon as you can, make the vehicle as visible as possible, and get professional help rather than taking risks to fetch fuel yourself.
Before you drive in California, it helps to know where your car hire paperwork is stored (digital or printed), how to reach the provider, and whether your rental includes roadside assistance. If you collected your vehicle at a major hub such as Los Angeles LAX or San Francisco SFO, the handover documents usually list emergency numbers and procedures. In the moment, you do not want to be searching emails while traffic rushes past.
1) Recognise the warning signs early and commit to exiting traffic
Many drivers notice the first signs before the engine cuts out: a low-fuel warning light, reduced power, surging, or the engine hesitating. If you suspect you are about to run out, treat it like an urgent safety situation. Do not wait for the car to stop in a dangerous spot.
Do these steps immediately:
Signal and move right early. In California, the right lanes are typically your quickest path to an exit or shoulder. Put your indicator on, check mirrors and blind spots, and begin working across lanes as soon as it is safe.
Turn off anything non-essential. Air conditioning and heavy electrical loads can make a struggling engine more likely to stall. Keep headlights on if visibility is reduced, but minimise everything else.
Choose an exit over the shoulder if possible. An off-ramp, a service area, or a side street is far safer than stopping on a shoulder. Even a parking lot entrance after the exit is better than staying on the freeway.
Use hazard lights as soon as you are slowing abnormally. Hazards warn drivers behind that you are not travelling at the expected speed. Keep them on once stopped.
2) If you must stop on the freeway, position the car for maximum visibility
If the engine dies and you cannot reach an exit, your next objective is to stop away from moving traffic. Steer smoothly, avoid harsh braking, and use your remaining momentum to reach the right shoulder or a breakdown area. If you are on a bridge, in a narrow construction zone, or on a shoulder with no space, you may need extra caution because exiting the vehicle could be more dangerous than remaining inside.
Once you are stopped:
Keep the wheels turned away from traffic if you are on a shoulder. If another vehicle hits you, this can reduce the chance of being pushed into live lanes.
Engage the parking brake and put the car in Park. If you are in a manual transmission, select first gear and apply the handbrake.
Leave hazards on. If you have reflective triangles and it is safe to place them well behind the car, do so, but only if you can walk to a safe position without exposure to traffic. Do not stand behind the vehicle.
Do not try to “coast” in a live lane. If the engine has cut, power steering and power braking assistance may be reduced. Focus on control and reaching the safest available stopping spot.
3) Get people to a safer place, and decide whether to stay inside
Your personal safety matters more than the car hire contract. The safest choice depends on where you have stopped.
If you are on a wide shoulder with a barrier: Exit from the passenger side if possible, move everyone behind the barrier, and stand well away from the road edge. Keep children close and do not return to the vehicle unless necessary.
If you are in a location where exiting is dangerous: If there is little shoulder, no barrier, poor visibility, or fast traffic close to the car, staying inside with seatbelts fastened can be safer until help arrives. Keep hazards on and call for assistance immediately.
If you feel threatened by traffic conditions: Call 911. It is appropriate to request help when your vehicle is stranded in an unsafe area, particularly if you cannot move it off the carriageway.
4) Make the right calls, in the right order
When you have reached a safer position, start calling for help. Use speakerphone if you must remain in the vehicle and keep your eyes on surroundings.
First call, roadside assistance. Check your car hire agreement and any included roadside coverage. If you arranged your rental through Hola Car Rentals for a trip starting in San Diego or picking up around San Jose, your confirmation details may reference the supplier’s roadside number. Have these details ready: reservation number, vehicle registration, your exact location, and a call-back number.
Second call, 911 if you are in danger. If you are stopped in a live lane, partially blocking traffic, on a blind curve, or you cannot safely wait on the shoulder, call 911. Explain that you are out of fuel and stranded on the freeway, and describe your location clearly.
Third call, the rental supplier if different. Sometimes the roadside provider and the rental counter are separate. Inform the supplier you have contacted assistance, and ask what documentation they require for reimbursement or fee reviews.
For location, use what you can: freeway number and direction (for example, I-5 North), nearest exit number or name, nearby mile markers, or what your phone maps show. If you are unsure, look for overhead signs before you stop, then tell the operator the last exit you passed.
5) Do not walk along the freeway for fuel
It can be tempting to think, “It is only a mile to the next petrol station.” On a California freeway, walking on or near the shoulder is extremely risky. Drivers may not see you, shoulders can end suddenly, and on-ramps and off-ramps create unpredictable merges. In addition, carrying petrol in an open container near traffic adds another hazard.
Professional roadside help is the safer option. Many services can bring a small amount of fuel to get you to a nearby station. If the provider cannot deliver fuel promptly, a tow to a safe place may be the best decision, especially if you are in a dangerous stretch.
6) Minimise extra charges with good documentation
With a car hire, running out of petrol can create costs beyond the fuel itself, such as a call-out fee, towing, or an administrative fee depending on the supplier’s terms. You can minimise disputes by keeping records.
Take clear photos. Photograph the dashboard showing low fuel warnings, your odometer, and the car’s position if safe. Do not stand in traffic to get pictures. A quick photo from inside the vehicle can still be useful.
Save call logs and reference numbers. Note the time you called, who you spoke to, and any incident number. A screenshot of the call duration can help show you reported promptly.
Keep every receipt. If roadside delivered fuel, keep the invoice. If you were towed, keep tow and storage receipts. If you bought petrol immediately after, keep the station receipt. These documents help show that you resolved the issue quickly and can support any query about fees.
Do not agree to unnecessary services. If the vehicle is safely on the shoulder and fuel delivery is available, you may not need a tow. Ask what each option costs before authorising it, if you have time and it is safe to do so.
7) Understand fuel policy basics for a car hire in California
Your next steps also depend on the fuel policy in your agreement.
Full-to-full: You typically collect the vehicle with a full tank and return it full. Running out of petrol is still your responsibility, but a fuel receipt after the incident is useful evidence that you refuelled right away.
Prepaid fuel: If you prepaid for fuel, you may still be charged for roadside call-outs or towing because prepaid fuel does not cover recovery services. Keep receipts anyway, they help clarify what was purchased and when.
Supplier refuelling charges: If you return the car with less fuel than required, the supplier may charge a refuelling fee plus fuel at a higher rate. That is separate from the cost of an emergency fuel delivery.
If you are unsure which policy applies, look at your rental confirmation and the counter paperwork. If you need to extend your rental because of delays, communicate with the supplier as soon as you can to avoid late return fees.
8) After you are moving again, do these final checks
Once you have fuel and the car starts, take a moment before merging back into fast traffic.
Check warning lights. If the engine light appears, or the car runs roughly, ask roadside assistance whether a tow is safer. Driving a vehicle that is not running properly can create a new hazard.
Refuel properly at the next safe station. Do not rely on the small amount of delivered fuel beyond reaching a station. Fill enough to continue comfortably.
Report the incident if required. Some suppliers want incidents logged even if there is no damage. A short message with the time, location, and service used can prevent confusion later.
Keep paperwork together until after the return inspection. If you are queried at return, having receipts and notes ready makes it easier to resolve on the spot.
How to reduce the chance of running out in the first place
Prevention is simpler than recovery. In California, long stretches between services can happen, and city traffic can burn fuel faster than expected. Make these habits part of every car hire trip:
Refuel at a quarter tank. Do not push it to the last bar, especially before mountain drives, deserts, or late-night journeys when stations may be closed.
Learn the fuel type and cap release. Confirm whether your car takes regular unleaded, premium, or diesel, and where the fuel door release is located. Wasting time at the pump increases stress and can lead to mistakes.
Use navigation to locate stations ahead. If you see the warning light in heavy traffic, route to a station before you are committed to a long freeway segment.
Know who to call before you need them. Save the roadside number in your phone at pickup, along with the reservation number. That matters whether you collected at SFO Airport or another busy location where paperwork can feel overwhelming.
FAQ
Should I call 911 if I have simply run out of petrol? If you are safely off the road on a wide shoulder, call roadside assistance first. If you are in a live lane, in a dangerous position, or cannot safely wait, calling 911 is appropriate.
Will my car hire company charge me for running out of fuel? You may be charged for roadside call-outs, fuel delivery, towing, or administration depending on the supplier’s terms. Keeping receipts and reporting promptly helps minimise disputes.
Is it safe to walk to the next petrol station from the freeway? Generally no. Walking on or near a freeway shoulder is dangerous, and carrying petrol adds risk. It is safer to use roadside fuel delivery or a tow.
What information should I give roadside assistance in California? Provide the freeway number, direction of travel, nearest exit or mile marker, vehicle details, and a call-back number. Share any visible hazards, such as narrow shoulder or heavy traffic.
What receipts should I keep after an out-of-fuel incident? Keep the fuel station receipt, roadside fuel delivery invoice, any tow paperwork, and your call reference number. Photos of the dashboard and location can also help.
