Free Roadside Assistance in Georgia: The HERO Program and 511 Explained
Georgia drivers stranded on a metro Atlanta interstate can get free roadside help from the HERO program (Highway Emergency Response Operators), available 24/7 across nearly 400 miles of interstate. HERO can jump a dead battery, swap a flat tire, or bring fuel or coolant, and the service is requested by dialing 511, using the 511GA app, or visiting 511ga.org. Outside metro Atlanta, a sister program called CHAMP covers most of the rest of the state’s interstates. Neither program tows vehicles to a shop or covers non-interstate breakdowns, which is where a local towing company comes in.
If you’ve ever broken down on I-285 or I-75 and seen a HERO truck pull up before you even finished dialing for help, you’ve experienced one of Georgia’s most useful, least talked about public services. Here’s what it actually covers, who runs it, and what to do when your situation falls outside what HERO can help with.
What Is the Georgia HERO Program?
HERO stands for (Highway Emergency Response Operators), a program run by the Georgia Department of Transportation since 1994. Their main job is clearing crashes and incidents quickly so traffic keeps moving, but they also provide free roadside assistance to stranded drivers on the interstates they patrol.
HERO units can help with:
- Jump-starting a dead battery
- Changing a flat tire if you have a usable spare
- Bringing a small amount of fuel or coolant
- Safely pushing or moving a disabled vehicle out of a traffic lane
As of mid-2026, HERO operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, covering close to 400 miles of interstate across metro Atlanta.
What HERO Does Not Cover
HERO is built for one specific situation: a vehicle stuck on an interstate HERO patrols. It is not a substitute for a towing company, and it won’t help with:
- Towing your vehicle to a repair shop or your home
- Breakdowns on surface streets, parking lots, or local roads
- Vehicle lockouts
- Major mechanical issues that can’t be fixed roadside
- Locations outside the HERO coverage area
This is the gap that a local 24/7 towing provider fills. If your situation needs more than a quick fix on the shoulder, that’s a towing and roadside assistance call, not a HERO call.
CHAMP: HERO’s Statewide Counterpart
Georgia launched a second program, CHAMP (Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Program), in 2017 to extend similar coverage to interstates outside metro Atlanta. Between HERO and CHAMP, most of Georgia’s interstate system has some form of free incident response and basic roadside assistance available.
Both programs are requested the same way: dial 511, use the 511GA app, or go to 511ga.org.
How to Request HERO or CHAMP Assistance
- Pull as far off the travel lane as safely possible and turn on your hazard lights.
- Dial 511 from any phone, or open the 511GA app.
- Select the option for roadside assistance or speak to a live operator, available 24/7.
- Describe your location and situation as specifically as you can, including mile marker or nearest exit if you know it.
511GA isn’t just for roadside help. It also provides live traffic conditions, incident reports, and construction alerts for anyone planning a Georgia road trip or daily commute.
When to Call a Towing Company Instead of 511
HERO and CHAMP are excellent for exactly what they’re designed for: quick interstate fixes. But plenty of common situations fall outside that scope. If you’re locked out, broken down off the interstate, or your car genuinely needs a tow rather than a jump-start, a private towing provider is the faster and more complete option. We break down exactly how to tell the difference in our guide to roadside assistance vs. towing, and what to do step by step in the moment in our car breakdown safety guide.
PMA Transportation Services is proud to work alongside Georgia’s public safety resources, covering everything HERO and CHAMP don’t, including off-interstate breakdowns, lockouts, and towing to a shop of your choice. View our full range of towing and roadside services or call (844) 762-8726, available 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions About The HERO Program and 511
Is the Georgia HERO program really free?
Yes. HERO is funded by the Georgia Department of Transportation and offers free roadside assistance to anyone stranded within its coverage area. There’s no membership or fee involved.
How do I contact HERO for help?
Dial 511 from any phone, download the 511GA app, or visit 511ga.org. You can also speak with a live operator 24/7.
Does HERO cover the whole state of Georgia?
HERO covers metro Atlanta’s interstates. A companion program called CHAMP covers most other interstates statewide, with the same 511 request process.
Will HERO tow my car to a repair shop?
No. HERO’s role is clearing incidents and providing quick fixes like jump-starts or flat tire changes. If your vehicle needs to be towed anywhere, you’ll need a towing company.
What should I do if I break down somewhere HERO doesn’t cover?
Pull off the road safely, turn on your hazards, and call a local towing and roadside assistance provider. PMA Transportation Services covers Atlanta and the surrounding Georgia counties 24/7 for exactly these situations.
Save This Number Too
511 is the right call for a quick fix on a Georgia interstate. For everything else, lockouts, off-interstate breakdowns, jump-starts away from the highway, or a tow to your mechanic, save PMA Transportation Services at (844) 762-8726. Reach our team anytime through our contact page.
