Mastering the inputs is the fastest way to survive longer in Escape Road City 2. This guide breaks down every Escape Road City 2 control and key binding — steering, accelerating, bailing out, deploying parachutes, boosting, and scanning the map — so you can react in a split second when the police close in.
Escape Road City 2 Key Bindings at a Glance
Here is the complete control map for both desktop and touch devices. Memorize the first four rows and you will already drive better than most players.
| Action | Keyboard | Touch / Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Steer left / right | A / D (or ← / →) | Tap the left / right side of the screen |
| Accelerate | W (or ↑) | On-screen throttle |
| Brake / Reverse | S (or ↓) | On-screen brake |
| Exit / Enter a vehicle | Space / E | Tap the vehicle |
| Parachute (while airborne) | Space | On-screen button |
| Boost | Hold Shift | Boost button |
| Activate power-up | F | Power-up button |
| Reset the run | R | — |
| Scan the map | Move Mouse | Drag to look around |
Every Control, Explained
Knowing the key is one thing; knowing when to use it is what wins runs. Here is what each input does and how to get the most from it.
Steer, Accelerate & Brake (A / D / W / S)
Use A / D (or the ← / → arrow keys) to turn left and right, W (or ↑) to accelerate, and S (or ↓) to brake or reverse. The faster you go, the wider your corners get, so plan turns a block ahead instead of reacting late. A quick tap of S is also the cleanest way to throw a tight U-turn when the cops are boxing you in.
Exit / Enter a Vehicle (Space / E)
Press Space or E to bail out of a doomed car and sprint on foot, or to jump straight into any nearby vehicle — including police cruisers and even a speedboat. Switching to a tougher vehicle before a ramming fight can turn a loss into a win.
Deploy Your Parachute (Space)
When you are airborne — off a ramp, a bridge, or after bailing out near the water — press Space to open a parachute and glide across the city to safety. Parachutes are your best insurance for turning a crash into a clean escape, and they pair perfectly with the Parachute Charge power-up.
Boost (Hold Shift)
Hold Shift for a burst of speed. It is perfect for smashing through a roadblock or outrunning a flank on a wide avenue — but it is not free, so save it for the moments you truly need the edge. Pair it with a Nitro Refill for a second punch.
Activate a Power-up (F)
Collect power-ups like the Speed Boost, Durability Shield, and Cash Bundle, then press F to activate the one you have equipped. Just be careful near the red mines — they look a lot like pickups and will wipe you out if you activate them by mistake.
Reset the Run (R)
Stuck under a bridge or in a dead end? Press R to restart the run instantly and try a different escape route without re-reading the menu.
Scan the Map (Mouse)
Move your mouse to look around and spot incoming police, scattered power-ups, and hidden shortcuts. Taking a second to scan before committing to a street is the single best habit for long survival runs. On touch devices, drag to look around instead.
Mobile & Touch Controls
Escape Road City 2 runs on desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone. On mobile you steer by tapping the left or right side of the screen, and there are dedicated on-screen buttons for the throttle, brake, boost, and power-ups. Drag the screen to look around the map, just like the mouse on desktop. All 10+ vehicles, power-ups, and the leaderboard work identically on every device, so your run continues no matter what you pick up.
Practice Tips to Master the Controls
- Keep moving constantly. Standing still is the fastest way to get surrounded — the chase only pauses when you do.
- Drift corners with a tap of S. Brake slightly into a turn, then release to accelerate out — it keeps your speed up through tight blocks.
- Scan before you commit. A second of mouse look prevents a lot of late surprises from helicopters and flanking patrols.
- Save your boost. Hold Shift only for roadblocks and flanks, not for every straight.
Want to go deeper into strategy? Read our Escape Road City 2 beginner’s guide or jump straight into the full tips and tricks on the main page.
Quick FAQ
What are the controls for Escape Road City 2?
Steer with A/D (or arrow keys), accelerate with W, brake with S, exit/enter a vehicle with Space or E, open a parachute with Space while airborne, boost with Shift, activate a power-up with F, reset with R, and move the mouse to scan the map.
Can I play Escape Road City 2 on my phone?
Yes. It is fully playable in the browser on desktop, tablet, and phone, with dedicated touch controls and the same vehicles, power-ups, and leaderboard.
📚 More Escape Road City 2 guides: Parachute & Boost guide · Power-ups guide
Ready to run the streets? Play Escape Road City 2 free now and put these controls to the test.
[…] Everything else — parachute, power-ups, reset, map scanning — builds on top of these. We cover the complete set in our dedicated Escape Road City 2 controls & key bindings guide. […]
[…] or tablet you tap the sides to steer and use the on-screen buttons. The full input map is in our controls guide, and the step-by-step first run is in the beginner’s […]