A Kansas Turnpike breakdown starts with one phone call. Pull onto the right shoulder, turn on your hazard lights, stay in the car, and dial *582 (*KTA) on your cell phone. That number reaches the Kansas Turnpike Authority, which sends help to your mile marker. This guide covers what to do, who shows up, how to describe where you are near Wichita, and how a tow works once you are off the road.
Miller’s Towing & Recovery is based at 4309 S Broadway, close to the South Wichita exit where I-135, I-235, and the Turnpike meet. Drivers call us from that stretch of I-35 often.
What to Do First During a Kansas Turnpike Breakdown
The speed limit on the Turnpike is 75 mph. Traffic comes up fast, so the first minute matters most.
- Get to the right shoulder. If the engine still runs, coast as far right as you can. Do not stop in a lane or on the left side unless you have no choice.
- Turn on your hazard lights. Leave them on the whole time, day or night.
- Stay buckled in the car. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks gives the same advice for any highway stop: you are safer inside the vehicle than standing on the shoulder.
- Dial *582 (*KTA). Tell the dispatcher your direction, the last mile marker you passed, and what is wrong.
- Wait for help before you get out. If you must leave the car, exit on the side away from traffic and stand well off the pavement.
If someone is hurt or the car is on fire, call 911 first.
Who Answers *KTA and What Help Is Free?
*582 connects you to the Kansas Turnpike Authority. The KTA runs a roadside program called Safety Assist. According to a WIBW report on the program, Safety Assist technicians change tires, handle small mechanical problems, direct traffic around a stopped car, and clear debris.
Three facts about Safety Assist help Wichita drivers:
- It is free. The KTA says the service costs nothing, no matter who your insurance company is.
- It covers our stretch. Patrols run between Wichita and the Oklahoma border, and between Topeka and Kansas City.
- The hours vary. Patrols focus on commute times and weekends, and change with weather and traffic.
Safety Assist is built to get you off the shoulder. It does not replace a tow truck or a repair shop. If the car cannot be fixed in a few minutes, it has to be towed.
On other Kansas highways the number is different. Dial *47 for the Kansas Highway Patrol on I-135, I-235, K-96, or Kellogg. KSN’s Turnpike travel tips list both numbers.
How to Tell the Dispatcher Where You Are
The green mile marker signs on the right shoulder are the fastest way. They count up from the Oklahoma line. Give the number and your direction, such as “northbound at mile 46.” If you cannot see a marker, name the last exit you passed.
These are the exits and stops closest to Wichita.
| Mile | Exit | What is there |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Exit 19 | US-160, Wellington and Winfield |
| 26 | Service area | Belle Plaine service area, with fuel and food |
| 33 | Exit 33 | K-53, Mulvane |
| 39 | Exit 39 | US-81, Haysville and Derby |
| 42 | Exit 42 | South Wichita, I-135 and I-235 |
| 45 | Exit 45 | K-15, southeast Wichita |
| 50 | Exit 50 | Kellogg (US-54/400), east Wichita |
| 53 | Exit 53 | K-96, northeast Wichita |
| 57 | Exit 57 | 21st Street, Andover |
| 65 | Service area | Towanda service area |
| 71 | Exit 71 | K-254, El Dorado |
Notice the gaps. Between Wellington and Mulvane there are 14 miles with only the Belle Plaine service area in between. A car that is low on fuel or running hot at Exit 19 may not make it to Exit 33.
How Towing Works After a Kansas Turnpike Breakdown
The Turnpike is a controlled road, so the KTA dispatcher manages what happens on the shoulder. When you call *582, ask these questions:
- Is a Safety Assist truck coming, and about how long will it take?
- If the car needs a tow, who will be sent?
- Can I request my own tow company?
- Where will the car be taken if I do not choose a place?
Write down the name of the tow company and where the car is going. If your car is taken to a yard you did not pick, storage fees usually start the first day.
Once your car is at an exit or in a lot off the Turnpike, any tow company can move it. That is where we come in most often. A driver gets pulled off at Exit 42 or Exit 45, then calls us for a second tow to a repair shop on West Street, a dealer on East Kellogg, or home to Derby or Haysville. Our emergency towing service runs day and night, and you get the price before we hook up.
Heading out of state? Many Turnpike calls come from travelers on the way to Oklahoma City or Kansas City. If the repair is going to take days, it can make sense to tow the car home. See our long distance towing page for how that works.
What About the Toll?
The Turnpike went cashless on July 1, 2024. There are no toll booths to stop at. Your trip is billed through your K-TAG or by a photo of your license plate. A Kansas Turnpike breakdown does not change that. You are billed for the part of the road you drove, and you do not need to pay anyone on the shoulder.
What Causes a Kansas Turnpike Breakdown Near Wichita?
The same four problems come up again and again on the Turnpike south and east of Wichita.
- Tire blowouts. Low pressure plus 75 mph heat is hard on old tires. Check pressure before a long drive.
- Overheating. Long pulls in July and August push weak cooling systems past their limit. If the gauge climbs, shut the engine off.
- Running out of fuel. Exits are far apart. Fill up in Wichita or at the Belle Plaine service area. If you run dry near town, our fuel delivery service can help once you are off the Turnpike.
- Deer. Fall evenings are the worst. Read our guide on what to do if you hit a deer in Kansas.
Kansas Turnpike Breakdown Questions
Is Kansas Turnpike roadside assistance free?
Safety Assist is free. A tow, a repair, or a tire you buy is not. Your insurance or motor club may pay you back for the tow, so keep the receipt.
Should I walk to the next exit?
No. Exits near Wichita are several miles apart and there is no safe place to walk. Stay with the car and call *582.
What if I break down at night?
Do the same five steps. Keep your hazard lights on and turn on the dome light so other drivers can see the car. Kansas also has a Move Over law. Drivers must move over or slow down for stopped vehicles with flashing lights, as KDOT explains.
Can I call a tow company myself?
Call *582 first so the KTA knows you are there, then ask the dispatcher what your tow options are. After the car is off the Turnpike, you can call any company you want.
Need a Tow From a Wichita Turnpike Exit?
If a Kansas Turnpike breakdown leaves your car at Exit 42, Exit 45, Exit 50, or Exit 53, call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. We will meet you there and take the car where you want it. You can also see all of our towing services in Wichita, KS or send a message through our contact page.