MileCheckHow do I tell 911 where I am on the highway?
Call 911 first. Then say the highway, the direction you were driving, the nearest mile marker and the last exit you passed. Those details help the dispatcher find you. Then answer the dispatcher's questions and follow their directions.
What to say, in order
- The highway. "Interstate 90", "US 2", "State Route 18". Read it off the last route sign if you are not sure.
- Your direction. Eastbound, westbound, northbound or southbound. On a divided highway this tells the crew which side to come up.
- The nearest mile marker. The small green sign on the shoulder, usually every mile. Say the number on it.
- The last exit or town. "Past exit 47" or "a few miles east of Ellensburg".
- What happened and who is hurt. Then answer the dispatcher's questions.
Doesn't my phone send my location?
Often, yes. Wireless carriers pass a location to 911 centers, and newer phones send a more precise one. It is not exact every time, and it can lag. A highway, direction and mile marker spoken out loud still helps the dispatcher match the dot to the right lane of the right road.
If you can't see a mile marker
Look for the next green sign ahead or behind you. Exit signs and overpass names help too. If you can't safely look, stay in your car and tell the dispatcher what you last passed.
The MileCheck app shows your nearest mile marker on screen from your phone's GPS, with the highway and direction. It is location help only. It does not call 911 or connect to a 911 center.
If you can't talk
Call if you can. Many 911 centers also take text messages, so if you can't speak, text 911 with the same four things. If texting isn't available there, you should get a message saying it wasn't delivered. If you get no reply, try another way to reach help.
See your mile marker as you drive
MileCheck shows your nearest mile marker, the highway and your direction. Premium adds live state DOT feeds for the road ahead and the map, with a 2-week free trial. It runs on CarPlay and Android Auto.
Questions, answered
Should I call 911 or a non-emergency number?
Call 911 for a crash, an injury, a fire, or a car stopped in a travel lane. For a breakdown on the shoulder with no danger, many state patrols list a non-emergency number. When in doubt, call 911.
What if I don't know my direction?
Say the town you were driving toward, or the last city you left. The dispatcher can work out the direction from that.
Do mile markers go the same way on both sides of the road?
Yes. Both sides carry the same number at the same spot. That is why your direction matters as much as the number.