Broke Down on I-575? Georgia Roadside Assistance Numbers and Who to Call

It’s 5:40 p.m., I-575 southbound is a parking lot past Towne Lake, and your dashboard just lit up like it’s trying to tell you something important. It is. You need to get off the road, and you need to know which number to call.

Georgia actually has several numbers for this, which is great until you’re trying to remember them with your hazards on. Here’s the cheat sheet.

Which Number Should You Call?

Save 511 and (470) 227-8963 in your phone today. Future you, on a dark shoulder, will be grateful.

What Is GDOT HERO?

HERO stands for Highway Emergency Response Operators, a Georgia DOT program that patrols metro Atlanta interstates. Its main job is clearing incidents so traffic keeps moving. It also helps stranded drivers with flat tires, jump starts, fuel or coolant, and moving vehicles to a safer spot. GDOT says there is no charge for the service.

Learn more on the GDOT HERO program page.

What Is GDOT CHAMP?

CHAMP is GDOT’s roadside assistance and maintenance program for interstates outside metro Atlanta. Like HERO, you reach it by dialing 511 and asking for a live operator. See the GDOT CHAMP program page and the Georgia 511 FAQ.

You don’t need to know where HERO ends and CHAMP begins on I-575. The 511 operator sorts that out. You just need to call.

When Do You Need a Tow Instead?

HERO and CHAMP are built for quick fixes and safety. They are the pit crew. We are the ride home. Call a towing company when:

• The engine is overheating, smoking or making a new and expensive-sounding noise
• The car won’t start again after a jump
• There is collision damage, or the car is stuck off the road
• Your spare is flat or missing
• You want the car taken straight to your mechanic, dealer or home

Safety Steps While You Wait

1. Turn on your hazard lights.
2. Move to the right shoulder or an exit if you can do it safely.
3. Stay in the car with your seat belt on and the doors locked.
4. Get out only if the car is smoking, on fire or stopped in a live lane. Exit on the passenger side and stand behind a guardrail if there is one.
5. When you call, give your direction, the nearest exit or mile marker, and your car’s make, model and color.

On I-575 Through Cherokee County

I-575 runs north from I-75 in Cobb County through Woodstock, Holly Springs and Canton, and ends near Nelson, where traffic continues as GA-515 toward the mountains. Rush-hour backups near Towne Lake Parkway and Sixes Road leave little room on the shoulder, and the northern stretch gets dark and quiet at night.

Time Strike covers the whole corridor 24/7 from our Canton base. See roadside assistance in Woodstock, towing in Holly Springs, towing in Nelson and towing in Canton.

Frequently Asked Questions