Need towing on K-15 right now? If you are in a traffic lane or anyone is hurt, call 911 first. Then call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. Tell the dispatcher the nearest cross street or signal, which way you were headed, and where the car needs to go.
K-15 is the main road between southeast Wichita, Derby and Mulvane. Plant workers, airmen from McConnell and Derby commuters all use it. This page covers what is different about a breakdown here and how to get your car moved safely.
K-15 at a Glance
- In Wichita: K-15 runs with I-135 through the city, then splits off on the south side and heads southeast. Locals also know that stretch as Southeast Boulevard.
- Turnpike access: the Kansas Turnpike meets K-15 at exit 45.
- Through Derby and Mulvane: a four lane divided highway with traffic signals at the main cross streets.
- South of Mulvane: K-15 meets K-53, then continues toward Udall and Winfield.
- Nearby: Oaklawn, Planeview, the aircraft plants and McConnell Air Force Base.
Route details are from the K-15 highway entry on Wikipedia, which draws on Kansas Department of Transportation records.
6 Things to Know About Towing on K-15
1. Give a cross street and a direction
K-15 is divided, so the truck has to reach the correct side. Say “southbound, just past 47th Street South” or “northbound, north of Madison in Derby.” If you do not know the cross street, read the dispatcher the blue dot location from your phone’s map.
2. This is signal to signal traffic at highway speed
Between the lights, traffic moves fast. At the lights, it stacks up. A car that dies in a through lane near a signal gets hit from behind more easily than one on an open shoulder. If the car still rolls, coast it onto the shoulder or into a side street or parking lot before it stops for good.
3. Shift change is the busy time
The aircraft plants and the base put a lot of cars on this road at the same hours each day. If you break down during that rush, turn on your hazard lights right away and stay buckled in until traffic has a gap.
4. More than one police agency works this road
Depending on where you stop, the officer may be from Wichita, the Sedgwick County Sheriff, Derby, Mulvane or the Kansas Highway Patrol. Wichita police policy lets you request your own tow company after a crash. Other agencies have their own practice, so ask the officer on scene. You can always tell them which company you want.
5. The Turnpike ramps have their own help line
If you are on the toll road or its ramps at exit 45, dial *KTA (*582) from a cell phone to reach Turnpike dispatch. For what happens next, read what to do on the Kansas Turnpike near Wichita.
6. Hazard lights and the 48 hour clock
Kansas drivers must move over or slow down for any stopped vehicle with flashing lights. KAKE covered that change to the Move Over law in 2025. Your hazard lights are what trigger it.
Do not leave the car for days. Under K.S.A. 8-1102, a vehicle left on a highway for more than 48 hours can be removed by law enforcement, and the owner pays the tow and storage.
Common Calls on K-15
Most towing on K-15 comes from a handful of situations.
| Where | What happens | What usually fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| I-135 split on the south side of Wichita | Stall or crash in merging traffic | Flatbed or wheel lift tow off the ramp |
| Near the plants and Oaklawn | Car will not start after a shift | Jump start, or a tow home |
| Turnpike exit 45 | Breakdown getting on or off the toll road | Call *KTA first, then a tow |
| Signals in Derby | Rear end crash at a light | Flatbed after police clear the scene |
| Open stretch between Derby and Mulvane | Flat tire, overheated engine, deer strike | Flatbed tow to a shop |
| Shoulder or ditch after rain or ice | Car slid off the pavement | Winch out, then a tow if it cannot drive |
A dead battery after work is often fixed on the spot. See our jump start service. For a car in the ditch, see what a winch out costs. If you hit a deer, read what to do after hitting a deer in Kansas.
While You Wait on the Shoulder
- Pull as far right as you can and turn on your hazard lights.
- Stay in the car with your seat belt on if traffic is close.
- If you have to get out, use the door away from traffic and stand well off the road, not between vehicles.
- At night, turn on the dome light so other drivers can see the car is occupied.
- Do not try to change a tire on the traffic side. Let the truck block for you.
Where Your Car Can Go
You choose the drop off. Mileage is part of the price, so the closer choice costs less.
- A shop in Derby or Mulvane: often the shortest trip if you broke down south of 63rd Street South.
- A Wichita shop or dealer: common for commuters who work in town.
- Home: a driveway tow is simple and gives you time to pick a shop.
- Our yard: 4309 S Broadway, if you need to decide later. Ask about storage first.
We have pages for Derby and Mulvane, and a guide to towing near McConnell AFB for base access.
What to Tell Us When You Call
- Nearest cross street or signal, and northbound or southbound
- If the car is in a lane, on the shoulder, in the median or in a ditch
- Year, make and model, and if it is all wheel drive
- What happened
- How many people need a ride
- Where the car is going
Questions About Towing on K-15
How long will a tow truck take to reach me?
It depends on where you are, the weather and how many calls are ahead of yours. Our yard is on South Broadway, so the Wichita end of this highway is close to us and Mulvane is a longer run. We give you an honest ETA on the phone.
How much does towing on K-15 cost?
The price has a hook up fee and a per mile rate, plus any charge for nights, a winch out or special equipment. Ask for the total to your exact drop off before the truck is sent. See the real cost of towing in Wichita.
Can I ride with the tow truck to Derby?
Usually, if there is a seat and a seat belt. See can you ride in a tow truck with your car.
My all wheel drive car broke down here. Does it need a flatbed?
Yes. See can you tow an AWD car.
What if my car is on base?
A tow truck needs base access. Read our McConnell guide linked above before you call.
Call for Towing on K-15
For towing on K-15, from the I-135 split to Mulvane, call Miller’s Towing & Recovery at 316-351-4754. We are a local tow company in Wichita, KS, we answer 24 hours a day, and you get the price before we hook up.