Can You Drive With a Cracked Windshield?
Drive with caution (short trips only)Caution: Many people drive with small windshield cracks, but if the crack is in your line of sight or spreading quickly, you should schedule repair or replacement as soon as possible.
How far can you drive?
Indefinitely for small chips or short cracks away from the driver's sightline. However, cracks longer than 6 inches, cracks near the A-pillar edge, or any crack directly in the driver's vision should be addressed promptly.
Stop driving immediately if you notice these signs
- Crack is directly in the driver's primary line of sight
- Crack spans the full width of the windshield
- Crack extends to the edge of the windshield (structural weakness)
- Crack is spreading visibly after temperature changes
What happens if you ignore it?
A crack near the edge or spanning the windshield reduces structural integrity. The windshield contributes significantly to roof strength in a rollover and helps deploy the passenger airbag correctly. A large crack can also spread rapidly with temperature swings.
Typical repair cost: $50–$500
When to call a tow instead of driving
- Not typically a tow situation unless the crack spans the full windshield and severely impairs driving visibility
Frequently asked questions
Can a windshield crack be repaired, or does it need full replacement?
Chips up to the size of a quarter and cracks shorter than 6 inches can often be filled with resin for $50–$100. Longer cracks, cracks in the driver's sightline, or cracks extending to the windshield edge usually require full replacement ($200–$500).
Does insurance cover windshield replacement?
Many comprehensive auto insurance policies cover windshield repair or replacement with little or no deductible. Glass coverage is often an add-on worth having—check your policy before paying out of pocket.
Will a cracked windshield fail inspection?
In most US states, a crack in the driver's primary vision area (typically the swept area of the wipers directly in front of the driver) will fail a safety inspection. A small chip or crack outside that zone often passes.