Towing on I-40: What to Know Between Raleigh and Durham

Interstate 40 is the lifeline of the Triangle, connecting Raleigh and Durham and carrying over 100,000 vehicles daily in some stretches. If you break down on I-40, here's what you need to know.

I-40 Through the Triangle

The I-40 corridor in our area runs roughly from:

• Garner in the east
• Through downtown Raleigh
• Past Cary and RTP
• Into Durham
• Continuing to Chapel Hill/Hillsborough

Key intersections include I-440, I-540, NC-54, and US-70.

What to Do If You Break Down

1. Get Off the Highway If Possible

• Use the next exit if your vehicle can make it
• Gas stations and parking lots are safer than shoulders
• Even a wide shoulder is dangerous on I-40

2. If You Can't Exit

• Pull as far right as possible
• Turn on hazard lights
• Stay in your vehicle with seatbelt fastened
• Exit from the passenger side if you must get out
• Move away from the vehicle and traffic

3. Call for Help

• Call 911 if there's an emergency or safety concern
• Call a towing company for non-emergency breakdowns
• Note your location: mile markers, last exit, or nearest landmark

Finding Your Location

Mile markers on I-40 in NC start at the Tennessee border and increase going east:

• Durham area: approximately mile 270-280
• RTP area: approximately mile 280-285
• Cary/Raleigh area: approximately mile 285-300

Look for green mile marker signs every mile.

I-40 Response Times

High traffic can affect how quickly we reach you. Here's what to expect:

Off-Peak Hours (nights, early mornings)

• Typically 20-30 minutes

Rush Hour (7-9 AM, 4-7 PM)

• Can take 30-60 minutes due to traffic

Accidents or Heavy Congestion

• May take longer, but we'll keep you updated

Common I-40 Breakdown Spots

Based on our experience, breakdowns often occur near:

• The I-40/I-440 interchange (heavy traffic, lots of merging)
• RTP exits where highway traffic is highest
• Construction zones (always changing)
• Hills and inclines (stress on engines)

NCDOT Assistance

North Carolina's IMAP (Incident Management Assistance Patrol) operates on major highways including I-40. These vehicles help with:

• Minor mechanical assistance
• Fuel delivery
• Tire changes
• Pushing disabled vehicles off the roadway

However, IMAP cannot tow vehicles. If you need a tow, you'll need to call a towing service.

Know Your Rights

On North Carolina highways:

• You have the right to choose your own towing company
• No one can force you to use a specific tow service
• Unauthorized towing ("bandit towing") is illegal

Dolooma Towing Covers I-40

Our service area includes the entire I-40 corridor through the Triangle:

• Raleigh and downtown exits
• Cary and Harrison Avenue area
• RTP and NC-54 interchange
• Durham and Durham Freeway connection

Stuck on I-40? Call 1-877-47-PULSE – we know the Triangle highways and will get to you quickly.