The Village of Caledonia spreads across the northern part of Racine County, just south of Oak Creek. It covers a lot of territory: subdivisions near the lake, commercial stretches along the main highways, and long rural roads lined with farm fields and woods. Highway 38 (Howell Avenue) and Highway 32 run north-south toward Milwaukee County, Highway 31 cuts through the middle, and I-94 runs along the western side. Because many Caledonia roads are dark, fast, and lightly traveled at night, knowing what to do after a breakdown is especially important. Lake Front Towing covers Caledonia 24 hours a day.

Breakdowns on Highway 38 and Highway 32

Both highways connect Caledonia to Oak Creek, South Milwaukee, and Racine, and both see a mix of commuter cars, delivery trucks, and farm equipment. Speeds are higher than they are on city streets, and shoulders vary from paved to gravel to almost nothing. If your vehicle starts to fail, find the widest available pull-off — a driveway, a side road, or a business entrance. If you have to stop on the shoulder, get the car as far right as possible without dropping into the ditch, turn on your hazards, and call. Tell the dispatcher which highway you are on, your direction, and the nearest crossroad.

Interstate 94 on the west side

I-94 between Milwaukee and Kenosha is one of the busiest stretches of interstate in Wisconsin, carrying heavy truck traffic between Milwaukee and Chicago. A breakdown here calls for caution. Move fully onto the right shoulder, turn the wheels away from traffic, and wait behind the guardrail if there is safe ground. Describe your location using the direction of travel and the nearest exit; mile markers help too. Our operators approach interstate calls with the truck's warning lights on and set up a safe work zone behind your vehicle.

Rural roads after dark

Caledonia's back roads are some of the darkest in our service area. Many have no streetlights, narrow lanes, and deep ditches. Deer are common, especially at dawn and dusk in the fall. If you break down on a rural road at night:

  • Get as far off the road as you safely can, and switch on your hazards and parking lights.
  • Find a mailbox number, farm sign, or crossroad name to help us locate you, or share your phone's location pin.
  • Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt on and the doors locked unless the car is in a dangerous position.
  • If you hit a deer, do not approach the animal. Call the police if anyone is hurt or the road is blocked, then call us for the tow.

Winter slide-offs

Open fields let the wind push snow across the roads, creating drifts and slick patches even after plows have passed. Many of our winter calls in Caledonia are cars and pickups that slid into ditches. If this happens to you, do not keep spinning the wheels — it digs the vehicle in deeper. Make sure the exhaust pipe is clear of snow before running the engine for heat. Then call us. The operator will usually winch the vehicle back onto the road and check whether it is safe to drive. If it is not, we tow it to the shop of your choice. Learn more about this kind of work on our accident recovery page.

Sharing the road with farm equipment

During planting and harvest seasons, tractors, combines, and grain wagons travel Caledonia's rural roads at low speed. If you break down on a road where farm equipment is moving, your stopped car can be hard for a wide, slow machine to get around. Pull as far onto the shoulder as you safely can, keep your hazards flashing, and if a farmer approaches, let them know a tow is on the way. On the call, mention that you are on a narrow farm road. Our operator will plan how to position the truck so traffic, including wide equipment, can still pass while your vehicle is loaded.

Lakeshore subdivisions and long driveways

Homes near the lake and in Caledonia's newer subdivisions sometimes have long driveways, gates, or garages set far back from the road. If your car will not start at home, let the dispatcher know about any gate codes, steep slopes, or soft ground — especially during spring thaw, when grass and gravel can be too soft for a heavy truck. We may load the vehicle at the end of the driveway rather than risk getting stuck.

Help without a tow

Many calls end with a quick on-site fix: a jump start, a tire swap with your spare, fuel delivered to an empty tank, or a lockout opened without damage. Our roadside assistance team handles these. If the problem is more serious, the operator can switch to towing on the same visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Caledonia really in your service area?

Yes. We are based in Oak Creek, right next door, and we cover all of Caledonia as well as Raymond, Wind Lake, and the rest of southern Milwaukee County.

Can you tow farm pickups and work trucks?

We tow light- and medium-duty vehicles, including most pickups and work vans. Tell us about any load or attached equipment when you call.

Can you take my car to a dealer in Racine or Milwaukee?

Yes. We tow to any destination you choose. For longer trips, see our long distance towing service.

Stuck in Caledonia? Call (414) 520-7264 to reach a live dispatcher 24/7. More on our emergency towing service.