Santa Margarita is a small unincorporated community of about 1,300 people. It sits south of Atascadero on State Route 58, just off U.S. 101 near Cuesta Peak. When a car stops running here, you need a tow that fits the road you are on.
Atascadero Towing connects callers with licensed and insured local towing contractors. The town is about 10.2 miles and roughly a 13-minute drive from Atascadero. Call (805) 391-5157 and a dispatcher will talk through your situation.
Towing around Santa Margarita
The old El Camino Real is the main street through town. Breakdowns there often happen close to homes and shops, so the main questions are where the vehicle is and how it needs to be moved. State Route 58 links the town to U.S. 101, and a car stalled near the ramps needs a clear description of the spot.
The Cuesta Grade and U.S. 101
Santa Margarita sits at the top of the Cuesta Grade, on the way to San Luis Obispo. Summer heat on U.S. 101 can overheat engines and wear down weak batteries, especially on the grades. Inland summer afternoons often reach 95 to 100 degrees.
If your car overheats, get fully off the roadway if you can and turn on your hazard lights. On a freeway shoulder, if you cannot get safely away from the car, stay inside with your seat belt on. Call 911 for any emergency or injury.
What to tell the dispatcher
A few details help the call go smoothly:
- Your exact location, such as the cross street, highway direction, or nearest exit or landmark
- The year, make, and model of the vehicle
- Whether it rolls and steers
- Where you want it taken
The dispatcher quotes the price on the phone before a truck is sent. Price depends on the vehicle, the distance, the type of truck needed, the road location, and the time of day.
Flatbeds, RVs, and heavier jobs
Flatbed towing is generally recommended for all-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles, low-clearance and classic cars, most electric vehicles, motorcycles, and vehicles that cannot roll. Your owner's manual often says how the vehicle should be towed.
RVs, box trucks, and trailers need equipment matched to their weight and length. The dispatcher will ask for those details first.
After a collision
Call 911 if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked. On state highways in California, the California Highway Patrol handles collisions, and officers may call a tow for vehicles that must be cleared. When it is safe, take photos and exchange information.
Many auto insurance policies, credit cards, and motor-club memberships include towing coverage. Check yours, and ask for an itemized receipt if you plan to submit for reimbursement. To arrange a tow in Santa Margarita, call (805) 391-5157.