Your tire just blew on I-95. The Florida sun is baking you through the windshield. Your brain fires one desperate question: “Does my SunPass cover towing?”
It does not. SunPass is a toll payment program, not a roadside rescue service. Knowing who to actually call can save you hours of stress and a lot of money.
- What SunPass Actually Does (And Only Does)
- Road Rangers: Florida's Free Roadside Help
- Who to Call When Road Rangers Are Not Enough
- What Towing Will Cost You: Know the Numbers
- Private Roadside Assistance: Your Best Long-Term Option
- Exactly What to Do When You Break Down in Florida
- Florida's Move Over Law: What Passing Drivers Must Do
- Before You Hit the Road Again
What SunPass Actually Does (And Only Does)
Many Florida drivers assume SunPass comes with some kind of roadside benefit. That confusion is understandable, but it is completely wrong.
SunPass is managed by Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise and exists purely as a prepaid electronic toll collection system. It processes transactions across the Florida Turnpike Mainline, the Central Florida Expressway network, and various managed express lanes.
That is the entire job. Nothing more.
Here is a clear breakdown of what SunPass covers and what it does not:
| SunPass Does This | SunPass Does NOT Do This |
|---|---|
| Processes prepaid tolls across Florida | Provide towing or vehicle recovery |
| Manages multi-axle billing for trailers and boats | Offer emergency fuel, battery, or lockout services |
| Gives discounted toll rates vs. Toll-By-Plate | Dispatch roadside assistance or emergency responders |
| Works across interoperable states | Cover private towing costs or repair shop labor |
One more thing worth knowing: if you tow a trailer, camper, or boat, you must manually add that trailer information to your SunPass account.
The system uses axle-count sensors to set toll rates. Skipping this step can lead to billing errors and administrative violations. This is another reminder that SunPass is a financial tool, not a service provider.
Road Rangers: Florida’s Free Roadside Help
Now that you know SunPass will not save you, here is something that actually might. The Florida Department of Transportation runs a completely free service called the Road Ranger Service Patrol.
Since launching in 2000, Road Rangers have completed over 6.1 million service assists across the state.
These are patrol trucks that drive major highways looking for stranded motorists. You do not need a membership. You do not need to pay anything.
What Road Rangers Can Do For You
Road Rangers focus on getting you moving again quickly or relocating you to a safe spot. Their standard threshold for on-scene help is under 15 minutes.
If they cannot fix the issue in that window, they will push your car to the nearest safe location such as a wide shoulder, an exit ramp, or a service plaza.
Here is what they provide at no cost:
- Jump-start a dead battery
- Change a flat tire (if your vehicle has a functional spare)
- Deliver up to two gallons of emergency gasoline or diesel
- Provide water for an overheating cooling system
- Make up to two free local phone calls for you
- Clear road debris and assist with traffic control at crash scenes
- On Central Florida Expressway routes, some Road Ranger vehicles carry cardiac defibrillators for medical emergencies
Road Ranger Coverage Hours by Road
Road Rangers do not operate everywhere at all hours. Here is what the current coverage looks like:
| Roadway System | Geographic Range | Operating Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Turnpike Mainline | Milepost 0 to 308 | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| Central Florida Expressway (SR 408, 417, 414, 429, 528, 451) | Greater Orlando Area | 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily |
| 95 Express Managed Lanes | I-95 Corridors | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
| I-4 Ultimate / Express Lanes | Central Florida I-4 | 24 hours, 7 days a week |
Keep in mind that patrols can be suspended during severe weather. In Central Florida, Road Rangers stand down when sustained winds reach 45 miles per hour or higher, following Florida Highway Patrol guidance to protect the responders themselves.
Who to Call When Road Rangers Are Not Enough
Road Rangers are brilliant for minor issues, but they cannot tow your car to a repair shop across town. When you need more help, these are the right people to contact.
Florida Highway Patrol: Your First Call
Save *347 (*FHP on your cell phone) in your contacts right now. Florida Highway Patrol dispatches troopers who can assist you on scene, coordinate a safe vehicle move, and connect you with an authorized tow company. You can also reach them by dialing 511.
Calling FHP is especially important on limited-access highways like I-4 and the Florida Turnpike. Sitting on those shoulders without notifying law enforcement is genuinely dangerous.
STARR: Regulated Private Towing on the Turnpike
When your breakdown needs more than a Road Ranger can handle, Florida’s Turnpike uses the Specialty Towing and Roadside Repair (STARR) program. STARR operators are private contractors vetted and authorized by the state. They respond to calls dispatched through the *FHP system.
STARR services are fee-based, but the fees are regulated. Before any work begins, STARR operators must provide you with a standardized fee sheet. This protects you from surprise charges.
RISC: Heavy-Duty Clearance for Big Vehicles
For major incidents involving tractor-trailers, buses, or overturned vehicles, the state uses the Rapid Incident Scene Clearance (RISC) program. These are specialized heavy-duty towing companies with strict equipment and response-time requirements.
RISC operators face financial penalties for delays and earn bonuses for clearing scenes within 90 minutes. This tier of recovery keeps Florida’s logistics corridors moving.
What Towing Will Cost You: Know the Numbers
If FHP dispatches a wrecker from their rotation list, the fees are regulated under Florida Administrative Code (Rule 15B-9.003). Here are the maximum rates these operators can charge:
Base Towing Rates by Vehicle Class
| Vehicle Class | Base Rate (Hook-up + First 30 Minutes) | Mileage Rate (Per Mile) | Extra Labor (Per Quarter Hour After 30 Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A (Under 10,000 lbs) | $125.00 | $5.00 | $25.00 |
| Class B (10,000 to 33,000 lbs) | $200.00 | $6.00 | $35.00 |
| Class C (Over 33,000 lbs) | $300.00 | $7.00 | $50.00 |
Winching a Class A vehicle back onto the roadway is capped at $50.00. For a Class C vehicle, that same service is capped at $150.00.
Storage Fees If Your Car Gets Towed
If your vehicle gets towed to a storage facility, these are the maximum daily rates operators can charge:
| Fee Category | Class A (Light Duty) | Class B (Medium Duty) | Class C (Heavy Duty) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Outside Storage | $24.00 | $36.00 | $40.00 |
| Daily Inside Storage | $40.00 | $60.00 | $80.00 |
| After-Hours Release Fee | $50.00 | $50.00 | $50.00 |
| Administrative Fee | $30.00 | $30.00 | $30.00 |
One important protection: if you claim your vehicle within the first six hours of arrival at the storage facility, no storage fee can be charged. After that window, daily rates apply.
Private Roadside Assistance: Your Best Long-Term Option
State services are helpful, but they have limits. Road Rangers can get you to a safe spot, not to your preferred mechanic. A private roadside plan fills that gap. Here is how the main options compare:
| Provider | Key Advantage | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| AAA | Comprehensive network, person-based coverage, towing to a shop of your choice | $65 to $100+ per year |
| Geico Add-On | High value for price, unlimited service calls | Around $14 per year |
| Progressive Add-On | Covers winching from snow or mud up to 100 feet | Competitive annual rates |
| Good Sam | Specialized for RVs and multi-axle vehicles | $50+ per year |
| Better World Club | Eco-focused, also covers bicycle roadside assistance | Annual membership |
On-Demand Apps: No Membership Needed
If you prefer not to pay an annual fee, app-based services like HONK and Urgently let you request help and pay only for what you use. HONK operates a network of over 45,000 service providers and often delivers faster response times than traditional clubs.
This model works especially well for younger drivers or occasional travelers who want flexibility without a recurring cost.
Exactly What to Do When You Break Down in Florida
Knowing who to call matters. Knowing what to do first matters just as much. Here is the step-by-step protocol recommended for a breakdown on a Florida toll road:
- Get to safety first. If the vehicle is still moving, head for the next exit or a service plaza. The highway shoulder is a last resort.
- Pull as far right as possible. Get your vehicle well away from travel lanes. On managed express lanes, pulling to the left shoulder is often the correct move.
- Turn on your hazard lights immediately. If you have reflective triangles or flares, place them behind the vehicle to alert oncoming drivers.
- Call *347 (*FHP). Notify Florida Highway Patrol and request Road Ranger assistance.
- Protect your passengers. If the shoulder is narrow or traffic is fast, exit through the passenger side and stand behind a guardrail. If exiting is unsafe, stay inside with your seatbelt fastened.
- Contact your roadside provider. Once you are safe, call AAA, your insurer, or open your roadside app.
Florida law (F.S. 316.071) requires drivers to move a disabled vehicle out of the flow of traffic when possible. Failing to do so can result in a citation for a non-moving violation.
Florida’s Move Over Law: What Passing Drivers Must Do
This section matters whether you are the one stranded or the one driving past someone who is. Florida’s Move Over Law (Florida Statute 316.126) was significantly expanded effective January 1, 2024.
The update extended protections beyond emergency vehicles to include all disabled motorists displaying hazard lights, emergency flares, or visible warning signage.
Here is what passing drivers are now legally required to do:
| Road Type | Required Action | Penalty for Violation |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-lane highway | Move over one full lane away from the stopped vehicle | Road with a speed limit at or below 20 mph |
| Two-lane road | Slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit | Fines, court fees, and 3 points on your driving record |
| Road with speed limit at or below 20 mph | Slow down to 5 mph | Fines, court fees, and 3 points on your driving record |
In 2022 alone, Florida recorded 170 crashes tied to Move Over violations, leading to over 14,000 citations statewide. This law exists because people on the shoulder get hit. It is serious.
Before You Hit the Road Again
Here is the takeaway in plain terms: SunPass handles your tolls brilliantly, and nothing else. For everything that goes wrong on the road, you need a separate plan in place before you ever need it.
Start with these three actions today:
- Save *347 (*FHP) and 511 in your phone contacts. You will not remember these numbers when your car is smoking on the Turnpike.
- Check your auto insurance policy right now. Many drivers already have roadside assistance coverage as an add-on and do not know it.
- Pick a roadside plan. Whether that is AAA, an insurer add-on, or an app like HONK, choose one and set it up today.
Future you, standing next to a broken car on I-75 at noon in July, will be genuinely grateful.
Sources: Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, Central Florida Expressway Authority, FDOT Road Ranger Program, Florida Highway Patrol Move Over Campaign, FHP Wrecker Rotation Rate Schedule
Pavithra Vinoth is the founder of nytollsinfo.com, where she simplifies U.S. toll systems through expert insights and custom-built calculators. Her research-driven tools help drivers avoid costly mistakes and make smarter car decisions.