MileCheckHow do truckers find their mile marker for a breakdown call?
Read the nearest green mile marker, or the last one you passed. Note your direction and the last exit. That is what your dispatcher, road service or 911 needs.
Before you call
Get the truck as far off the road as you safely can. Turn on the hazard flashers. Under federal rules, a commercial vehicle stopped on the road or shoulder, other than for a traffic stop, generally needs its warning devices out as soon as possible and within 10 minutes. The rule has exceptions and placement rules (49 CFR 392.22).
What to say
- Highway and direction: "I-84 eastbound."
- Mile marker: "just past mile 147."
- Last exit or town.
- Which shoulder you are on, and whether you are blocking a lane.
- What's wrong with the truck.
If anyone is hurt or you are in a travel lane, call 911.
When there is no sign in sight
Your ELD or fleet app may show a location. The MileCheck app shows the nearest mile marker from GPS, to one decimal, with the highway and direction. Its share button sends that text and a map link to anyone you pick.
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
Is the exit number good enough?
It helps, but you are rarely at an exit. The mile marker narrows it to a mile or less.
Does the mile marker work with no cell signal?
The green sign does. The MileCheck app has every state's mile markers built in, so it shows the nearest one from GPS even without signal. You still need a signal or a satellite feature to call.