Mercury Nashville released the song to country radio on February 23, 2004, as the lead single to her eponymous debut studio album (2004).

The song's b-side, included on the vinyl and CD single, was a cover of Suzy Bogguss's "No Way Out", from her 1996 album Give Me Some Wheels.

The song was originally recorded as "I'd Sure Hate to Break Down Here" by country singer Trace Adkins on his 2003 album Comin' On Strong.

"Break Down Here" is a mid-tempo ballad centralizing on the narrator, who is driving by herself on the freeway, escaping a failed relationship with all of her belongings in the back of the vehicle.

[2] Kelefa Sanneh of The New York Times described the song favorably, calling it "one of the year's best country ballads" and "an aching but resolute lament".