The pilot and two passengers were en route to their destination airport when the airplane's engine surged. According to the pilot, he applied carburetor heat and engine power was restored. The engine surged again followed by a total loss of engine power. He added that he was unable to restart the engine. The pilot made a forced landing on a highway. The airplane landed hard, the nose landing gear and left main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop. Substantial crushing damage was sustained to the airplane's left wing and firewall. An examination of the airplane and engine by responding Federal Aviation Administration inspectors revealed approximately one gallon of fuel remaining in the wings. In addition, only a small amount of fuel was found in the gascolator and carburetor.