MileCheckHow to check road conditions before a road trip
Before a long drive — especially over mountain passes or in winter — a few minutes checking conditions can save you from a closure, a chain requirement, or a white-knuckle surprise. Here's a simple pre-trip routine.
Start with the DOT or 511 for each state
Your first stop is the state transportation department (DOT) or its 511 service for every state your route crosses. They post closures, construction, crashes, and mountain-pass and chain status for the highways you'll actually be on. More on 511 →
Look at live traffic cameras
A road report tells you the status; a camera shows you the reality — how much snow is actually on the pass, whether traffic is crawling. Check cameras at the choke points on your route, especially summits and known bottlenecks. Browse live highway cameras →
Check the weather along the route, not just the ends
Weather at your start and destination can be fine while the pass in the middle is in a storm. Look at the forecast for the high points and passes on your route, and watch for wind, ice, and snow level — the details that decide whether a mountain highway stays open.
Know your position once you're rolling
Conditions change mid-drive. Once you're on the road, MileCheck shows your exact mile marker in real time plus live DOT alerts and the nearest camera on your route — so a closure or chain control ahead isn't a surprise, and if you need help you know precisely where you are. Works offline, on CarPlay and Android Auto.
Know exactly where you are — live
MileCheck shows your nearest mile marker in real time as you drive, plus live DOT alerts and the nearest camera on your route. Free to start, works offline, runs on CarPlay and Android Auto.
Questions, answered
How do I check road conditions for a road trip?
Check the state DOT or 511 service for every state on your route for closures and pass status, look at live traffic cameras at the summits and bottlenecks, and review the weather forecast for the high points along the way — not just your start and end.
How do I know if a mountain pass is open?
Check the state DOT's pass report and live cameras for that pass. They post current conditions, chain requirements, and any closures, which can change within an hour during a storm.
What's the best way to check road conditions while driving?
Use a hands-free app. MileCheck shows your live mile marker, DOT alerts, and the nearest camera on your route on CarPlay or Android Auto, so you get closures and chain controls ahead without stopping.
Should I check road conditions in summer too?
Yes. Summer brings construction, wildfires and smoke, crashes, and heat-related closures. Roadwork and conditions affect drives year-round, not just in winter.