If you run out of gas on a Houston freeway, you have a few options depending on where you are. The cleanest answer for most drivers is fuel delivery. For covered freeways with an attended vehicle, Tow and Go is the free option for a tow (not fuel).
If you are on a covered freeway (attended)
If you are on I-10, I-45, I-69, Loop 610, or Beltway 8 (excluding tollways and the Katy Freeway HOT lanes), and your vehicle is attended, Tow and Go moves you to a safe spot off the freeway at no cost. A flat-tire change with a working spare is also covered.
Tow and Go does not deliver fuel. If you ran out of gas, you need fuel delivery, not a tow. Call Quick Tow Houston at (281) 916-1288 for fuel delivery.
If you are on a freeway shoulder (unattended)
If your car is on the freeway shoulder and you are not in it (you walked to a gas station, you are with a friend), the situation is different. The car is unattended on a freeway. The operator can tow or fuel-deliver with the right authorization.
Call HPD non-emergency at (713) 884-3131 to confirm the situation. If the car is a safety hazard, HPD coordinates a tow. If you just need fuel, the operator delivers to the shoulder (typically 5 gallons for $50 to $75 plus a service-call fee).
If you are on a city street
A fuel delivery operator comes to your location with up to 5 gallons of regular unleaded. The fee is the operator’s service-call rate plus the fuel cost. Typical total is $75 to $150 depending on distance and time of day.
The operator brings the fuel in an approved container. You cannot bring your own gas can to the freeway shoulder (safety rules), but on a city street you can usually walk to a gas station and back if you prefer.
How to arrange fuel delivery
Call Quick Tow Houston at (281) 916-1288. Tell the operator:
- Your location (freeway mile marker, intersection, address)
- Your vehicle class
- A callback number
- Whether you need diesel or regular unleaded (most operators carry regular)
The operator dispatches a fuel-delivery driver. The driver arrives with the fuel, fills your tank enough to get to a gas station, and you drive away.
What if you also need a tow
If your car will not start after the fuel delivery (it was out for so long that the fuel pump lost prime, or there is a separate issue), the operator can also tow the car to a nearby shop. The fuel delivery and the tow are usually separate quotes.
What about Tow and Go for fuel
Tow and Go does not deliver fuel. Tow and Go’s free service is a tow to a safe spot and a flat-tire change with a working spare. If you ran out of gas, you need fuel delivery, paid, on top of any Tow and Go tow.
What about running out on a tollway
Tollways (Fort Bend Parkway, Hardy Toll Road, Sam Houston Tollway, etc.) are not covered by Tow and Go. You need a fuel delivery operator with the right authorization to be on the shoulder. The operator typically coordinates with the tollway authority.
What about running out on the Katy HOT lanes
The Katy Freeway HOT lanes (I-10 west, managed lanes) are not covered by Tow and Go. You need a fuel delivery operator with managed-lane access.
What if you need a tow to a gas station
If the car will not start or you are out of fuel with no operator available, the operator can tow you to the nearest gas station. The tow fee is the operator’s quote for the short distance.
For a freeway shoulder tow, the operator may need police authorization to remove the car from the shoulder. Plan for a short wait.
For what the operator charges, see our tow cost guide. For Tow and Go details, see our Tow and Go explainer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get fuel delivered on a Houston freeway? Yes, by a licensed operator with the right authorization. The fee is the operator’s service-call rate plus fuel.
Is Tow and Go free for fuel? No. Tow and Go is free for a tow to a safe spot and a flat-tire change. Fuel delivery is a separate paid service.
What if my car is on the shoulder and I am not in it? Call HPD non-emergency at (713) 884-3131 for guidance. The operator coordinates with HPD if a tow is needed.
What if I am on a tollway? Tollways are not covered by Tow and Go. Call for a fuel-delivery operator with tollway authorization.
What about diesel? Call ahead. Diesel deliveries may take longer.
What if the car will not start after fueling? The operator can also tow the car to a nearby shop. The fuel delivery and the tow are separate quotes.