Road closures near me: how to check before you drive
Last checked November 12, 2026.
A closed road can be a crash, a storm, a water main break, construction or a parade. Who knows about it depends on whose road it is: the state for highways, your city or county for local streets. Here is where to look for each, and how to hear about planned closures before the day.
The short answer
- For highways and state roads, call 511 or open your state’s 511 or traffic website. It lists closures, crashes, construction and weather conditions.
- For local streets, check your city or county’s website and official social media accounts, usually the public works, police or emergency management pages.
- A map app shows many closures as you drive, but it can be late on brand-new ones and on local events.
- Never drive around a barricade or onto a flooded road, even if a map app sends you there.
Highways and state roads: 511
In 2000 the Federal Communications Commission set aside 511 as the one phone number for travel information across the country. Each state decides whether and how to run it, so most states have a 511 phone line, website or app, and some use their transportation department’s own traffic map instead.
- Search “511” and your state’s name, or your state’s department of transportation and “traffic map”.
- Most 511 maps can be filtered to closures, construction and incidents, and many send alerts for the roads you save.
- Call 511 only when it’s safe, before you leave or with a passenger. Don’t use your phone while driving.
Local streets: your town
- Planned closures for paving, utility work, parades, races and street fairs are usually posted by the city or county in advance, on its news page or public works page.
- Sudden closures for a crash, a fallen tree or a water main break are usually posted by the police department or the town on social media.
- Many towns and counties send emergency alerts by text or email. Sign up on your town’s or county’s website.
Hear about planned closures first
- Big closures are announced days or weeks ahead: road work seasons, bridge repairs, parade and race routes.
- MailerDot sends one free email a day for your town with its local news, so a closure the town announces, a parade route or a detour is in the next morning’s email.
Questions people ask
Why is a road closed today? The closure listing on 511 or the town’s post usually says: a crash, a storm, construction or an event. If it doesn’t, the agency that owns the road can tell you.
How long will the road be closed? Planned work is posted with dates. For a crash or storm, the listing is updated when crews know more, so check again before you leave.
Who do I call about a closed road? For highways, your state’s department of transportation. For a local street, your city or county public works department. For an emergency on the road, call 911.
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