Car stuck in mud

Rain and bad weather can turn dirt roads, fields and temporary car parks into a nightmare for vehicles. And if you're driving on them, you can end up quite literally stuck in the mud.

Many big events (like festivals, fairs and exhibitions) rely on turning open fields into temporary car parks. So read on to find out how to get a car out of mud should the worst happen.

How to get a car out of mud in 5 steps

1. Give your tyres some room to manoeuvre by moving your steering wheel back and forth. You can also dig around your tyres a bit if you have a spade or suitable tool with you.
2. Try not to spin the wheels – pull away in second gear for lower revs and better traction.
3. Try to keep moving to maintain momentum once you’ve got going, especially if you’re on a slope.
4. Drive slowly at first to shed the excess mud from your tyres, before safely driving back at a normal speed.
5. Stay out of 'tramlines' created by other vehicles if you can.

If you’re still stuck in the mud, try some of these handy hints.

Place cardboard in front of the wheels to help give your tyres extra grip – you can even use car mats for a similar effect.

Advice for a muddy festival

Festivals are one of the most common events where people get their car stuck in a muddy field. So, how can you easily and speedily leave a festival when the ground is muddy?

• Be prepared for it to take a long time to leave the car park, sometimes several hours at big events.
• If the car park is full and nobody is moving, be patient and turn off your engine when you can to save fuel.
• Help others who might need it, if it's safe to do so.
• Make sure your towing eye is easy to get to before you try to move. It's usually in the boot with the jack and can be attached by removing a small plastic cover on the bumper.
• Change into clean shoes or wipe off muddy ones so you don't slip on the pedals.
• Look for teams of people who are there to help at big events.
• Once there's some space, follow our 5 tips for getting unstuck above.

How to get a van out of mud

If your van is stuck in mud, follow the same steps used for a car. Start by wiggling the steering wheel side to side to create more space around the tyres. Use second gear to pull away for better traction. Drive slowly and avoid hard acceleration to prevent the wheels from spinning and getting further stuck.

How do I get my car out of mud alone?

Follow the 5 steps on our page. If that fails and you’re an AA member, report your breakdown online or via the AA App, and we’ll send a patrol to you. Be aware that getting stuck in mud isn’t something that’s covered by our breakdown policies, so charges might apply. See our T&Cs for details.

If you're not a member and need immediate support, don't buy breakdown cover online. Instead, call us for instant breakdown cover and we'll send a patrol to you.

How to drive in mud

• Use a lower gear
• If you're driving a manual, drive in second or third gear to keep a steady pace
• Avoid sudden braking or accelerating
• Tyres lose traction if you slam on the brakes suddenly
• You need a steady pace to safely drive through a slippery, muddy surface
• When you accelerate or brake, make sure you do it gently
• Sudden braking could also cause your tyres to skid

Use your car mat to get unstuck

Although not guaranteed to free your car from a muddy field, one method you can try is placing your car mats just in front of the stuck tire. The more mats you have, the better. Then, try accelerating forward. With some luck, the car mats will provide enough traction for the tyres to gain grip.

What should you not do when stuck in mud?

Don’t do any of the following if your car is stuck in the mud:

• Accelerate too hard – this could result in you making the situation worse by spinning the wheels and digging yourself deeper down into the mud. This makes it even harder to get free.
• Stop the car once you’ve managed to get it moving – make sure there’s enough space ahead of you for you to keep moving and get to a solid surface. Stopping the car runs the risk of getting stuck in the mud again.
• Lose your cool – yes, it’s really frustrating to be stuck when you want to leave or perhaps you’ve got somewhere important to be, but keeping a calm head will help you assess the situation and get yourself freed quicker.

Additional Information

Can mud damage my car?

Once you get free from being stuck in the mud, make some time to wash your car as soon as you can. Thick mud underneath the vehicle can increase the risk of corrosion and is best hosed off sooner rather than later.

Dried-on dirt can build up on your car and be harder to clean off. When left for too long, there's more risk of chipping the paint when you come to clean it off. Your car could end up looking worse for wear and the resale value could be impacted as a result.

Can a 4x4 get stuck in the mud?

Yes. Despite a 4x4’s obvious off-road capabilities, there are still situations where they can get stuck. This can come down to the skill level of the driver, but there are also some situations where mud is too thick or deep to get out of.

Getting professional help

At big events like Glastonbury, you’ll see a dedicated AA team ready to help. If your vehicle gets stuck and needs to be towed out, your breakdown provider might charge a fee, especially if they need special equipment.

Help's at hand

You’ll see a dedicated AA team at big events, like Glastonbury. They're there to help if you get into difficulty or your car breaks down.

If you need to call us out, ring
0800 88 77 66

The AA app is the best way to contact us, as we can find your exact location using your phone's GPS. Find out more or download it now.

Last updated: 20 February 2025