It happens without warning. You’re driving east on I-94 past Exit 28 near M-139 in Benton Harbor,
Michigan — and your car sputters, shakes, and rolls to a stop on the shoulder at 11 PM. The lake
wind is biting, semis are blowing past, and you don’t know who to call. If you’re anywhere near
Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Coloma, or Berrien County, the answer is simple:
Call Zielke Towing & Tires at (269) 925-9573 — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Stationed right at 1303 M-139, Benton Harbor, MI 49022, Zielke Towing has been Southwest
Michigan’s most trusted towing and roadside assistance company since 1956. We’re not a national
dispatch center routing your call to a stranger three counties away — we are your neighbors, and
we know every mile of I-94, US-31, and M-139 better than anyone.
The Highways You Travel Every Day in Southwest Michigan
Berrien County’s road network connects hundreds of thousands of commuters, tourists, and commercial
drivers every single week. Understanding which road you’re on helps you communicate your exact
location faster — and gets help to you sooner.
I-94: The Main Artery Through Benton Harbor
Interstate 94 runs east-west through the heart of Berrien County, serving as the primary corridor
between Chicago (west) and Kalamazoo (east). The most breakdown-prone exits near Benton Harbor
include:
- Exit 23 – Pipestone Road (ZIP 49022): near industrial and commercial zones
- Exit 28 – M-139/Benton Harbor (ZIP 49022): directly adjacent to Zielke Towing’s location
- Exit 30 – Napier Avenue / Benton Township: near The Orchards Mall area
- Exit 34 – Red Arrow Highway / Stevensville (ZIP 49127): popular tourist and retail corridor
The I-94 Business Loop also runs directly through downtown Benton Harbor and across the St. Joseph
River bridge into St. Joseph (ZIP 49085).
US-31: The St. Joseph Valley Parkway
US-31 (also called the St. Joseph Valley Parkway) runs north-south through Berrien County, serving
communities including Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, Stevensville, and Bridgman. Key breakdown-prone
stretches include the Napier Avenue interchange and the segment near Harbor Shores Golf Club.
M-139: Where Zielke Towing Lives
Michigan Route 139 runs directly through Benton Harbor — and it’s the exact road where Zielke
Towing & Tires has been open since 1956. If you break down anywhere on M-139 between Berrien
Springs (ZIP 49103) to the south and Benton Township to the north, our team is minutes away.
Other Key Routes Served
- M-63 / Red Arrow Highway — runs along Lake Michigan through St. Joseph, Stevensville,
Bridgman, and into New Buffalo (ZIP 49117) - I-196 — connects Benton Harbor toward Holland and Grand Rapids
- M-43 (Paw Paw Road) — key corridor to Paw Paw (ZIP 49079) and Kalamazoo
Step-by-Step: What to Do When You Break Down on a Michigan Highway
Staying safe is your first priority. Follow these steps carefully:
Step 1 — Get Off the Road Safely
The moment you feel your vehicle losing power, steer slowly and calmly to the right shoulder.
Do not brake suddenly. If you’re on I-94 between exits and your vehicle is not drivable, pull as
far right as possible — ideally past the white fog line. Turn on your hazard lights immediately.
Step 2 — Exit the Vehicle (If Safe to Do So)
Michigan’s Move Over Law (MCL 257.653a) requires other drivers to move over or slow down for
vehicles stopped on the shoulder. However, you should still exit from the passenger-side door
away from traffic and move well behind the guardrail or up the embankment. Do not stand behind
your vehicle.
Step 3 — Make Your Calls — In This Order
- Call 911 if you or any passenger is injured, if the vehicle is on fire, or if traffic
poses an immediate danger. - Call Zielke Towing & Tires at (269) 925-9573 — give your exact location (highway name,
direction of travel, nearest mile marker or exit number), your vehicle’s make/model/color,
and the nature of the problem. - Notify your insurance if required by your policy.
⚠️ Important: If Michigan State Police or Berrien County Sheriff’s deputies arrive first
and your vehicle is creating a traffic hazard, they are authorized to dispatch a tow under the
Michigan Vehicle Code. Save Zielke’s number — (269) 925-9573 — in your phone now so you
can request us by name before a police-dispatched tow is ordered.
Step 4 — Stay Visible and Stay Back
- Place reflective triangles or road flares 100–200 feet behind your vehicle if you carry them
- Keep your hazard lights on even during daylight
- Do not attempt to push your vehicle or stand near traffic lanes
- If it’s dark, use your phone flashlight to signal our driver when we arrive
Step 5 — Do Not Accept Help From Unlicensed Towers
Michigan regulates all towing companies through the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) of the Michigan State Police. “Bandit towers” — unlicensed operators who patrol highways
looking for breakdowns — are illegal in Michigan and can cause serious damage to your vehicle or
overcharge you without recourse. Always verify you’re working with a licensed, registered company
like Zielke Towing & Tires.
Why Local Response Time Matters on I-94 and US-31
When you’re stuck on a Michigan freeway, every minute counts — especially in Berrien County’s
extreme weather.
Benton Harbor sits on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan and receives an average of 77.7 inches of snow per year, with January lows regularly dropping to 19°F. Lake-effect snowstorms can
reduce I-94 visibility to near zero in minutes. Summer brings its own hazards: heavy tourist
traffic during the Blossomtime Festival (May), the Maytag Ironman 70.3 Steelhead Triathlon
near Silver Beach, and weekend beach traffic on M-63 and US-31 regularly back up the road network
for miles.
National Dispatch vs. Local Response: The Real Difference
| National Roadside Club | Zielke Towing & Tires | |
|---|---|---|
| Dispatch location | Call center — could be anywhere in the US | 1303 M-139, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 |
| Local road knowledge | GPS-based routing only | 70+ years on Berrien County roads |
| Average ETA on I-94 near Exit 28 | 45–90 minutes | Typically under 30 minutes |
| Available hours | Varies by partner network | 24/7/365 — including Christmas |
| Familiarity with local weather | None | Lake-effect experts |
A national app may promise coverage, but when you’re on the I-94 shoulder at 2 AM in February
with ice forming on the road, you need someone who left from M-139 ten minutes ago — not
someone who’s still searching for a contractor to accept the job.
Zielke’s I-94 & US-31 Towing and Roadside Capabilities
Zielke Towing & Tires is fully equipped to handle every type of vehicle breakdown and recovery
situation you may encounter on Southwest Michigan’s highways and local roads.
Light-Duty Towing
For standard passenger cars, SUVs, and small trucks broken down on I-94 or US-31.
Our light-duty towing service safely transports your vehicle
to our shop at 1303 M-139 or to any destination you choose in Berrien County or beyond.
Flatbed Towing
All-wheel-drive vehicles, low-clearance sports cars, and luxury vehicles should never be towed
with two wheels on the ground. Our flatbed tow trucks lift your
entire vehicle off the road — zero chance of drivetrain damage.
Medium & Heavy-Duty Towing
Commercial trucks, box trucks, and larger vehicles that break down on I-94’s commercial corridor
near Benton Harbor need specialized equipment. Our medium-duty
and heavy-duty towing rigs handle loads up to and including
semi-tractors.
Winch-Out & Vehicle Recovery
Slid off I-94’s ramp during an ice storm? Our winch-out service
uses professional steel-cable rigging to extract your vehicle from ditches, embankments, and
snow banks without additional damage.
Long-Distance Towing
If your vehicle can’t be repaired locally, our
long-distance towing service can transport
it anywhere in Michigan or beyond — including back to your home city if you’re a visitor passing
through Benton Harbor.
On-Scene Roadside Assistance
Many breakdowns don’t require a tow at all. Our technicians can often get you moving again
right on the I-94 or US-31 shoulder with:
- Jump start service for dead batteries
- Tire replacement service for flat tires
- Fuel delivery if you’ve run out of gas
- Battery replacement
Michigan Towing Laws: Know Your Rights Before You Need Them
Who Can Authorize a Tow in Michigan?
Under the Michigan Vehicle Code (Act 300 of 1949), a law enforcement officer can authorize
the removal of any vehicle that is disabled on a public highway, creating a traffic hazard, or
blocking the roadway. In Benton Harbor and Berrien County, this authority falls to:
- Michigan State Police — Paw Paw Post (serving I-94 and I-196 in Van Buren/Berrien County)
- Berrien County Sheriff’s Office (serving county roads and local highways)
- Benton Harbor Public Safety Department (within city limits)
Your Right to Choose Your Tow Company
If you call a towing company before law enforcement authorizes a tow, you generally have the
right to choose your provider. This is why saving (269) 925-9573 in your phone before an
emergency is so important. Once a police-authorized tow is dispatched, you may be responsible
for that company’s fees regardless of whether you prefer a different provider.
Storage Fees and Vehicle Release
Michigan law requires towing companies to notify vehicle owners of storage fees in writing. You
have the right to retrieve personal property from a towed vehicle at any reasonable hour. At
Zielke Towing & Tires, we believe in transparent, upfront pricing — we’ll tell you exactly
what you owe before we move your vehicle.
Beware of Predatory Towing
The Michigan Attorney General’s office actively investigates complaints against towing companies
that engage in predatory practices — including excessive fees, unauthorized tows, and refusal to
release vehicles. Always request a written invoice and keep copies of all documentation.
Zielke Towing & Tires: Benton Harbor’s Most Trusted Name Since 1956
When you call (269) 925-9573, you’re not reaching a call center. You’re reaching a locally
owned, Berrien County-based towing company that has been on these roads — M-139, I-94, US-31,
Red Arrow Highway — for over 70 years.
We’ve towed cars out of I-94 snowdrifts at 3 AM. We’ve responded to accidents on the M-139
corridor within minutes. We’ve helped visitors from Chicago and Detroit who broke down in
Benton Harbor on their way to Silver Beach or Harbor Shores. And we’ve been the reliable,
affordable, transparent choice for Berrien County residents who needed help and needed it fast.
We serve all of Southwest Michigan including:
- Benton Harbor (ZIP 49022)
- St. Joseph (ZIP 49085)
- Coloma (ZIP 49038)
- Paw Paw (ZIP 49079)
- Kalamazoo (ZIP 49001, 49002, 49003)
- Stevensville (ZIP 49127)
- Berrien Springs (ZIP 49103)
- Watervliet (ZIP 49098)
- Bridgman (ZIP 49106)
- Benton Township
- Royalton Township
- Lincoln Township
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my car breaks down on I-94 near Benton Harbor at night?
Pull safely to the right shoulder, turn on hazard lights, exit from the passenger side away from
traffic, and call Zielke Towing & Tires at (269) 925-9573. Give us your nearest exit number
or mile marker and we’ll dispatch immediately.
How fast can Zielke Towing reach I-94 Exit 28 near Benton Harbor?
Because we are physically located at 1303 M-139 — directly adjacent to I-94 Exit 28 — our
typical response time for calls near that exit is under 30 minutes, often faster.
Does Zielke Towing operate on I-94 and US-31 during winter snowstorms?
Yes. We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year — including during lake-effect
snowstorms, ice storms, and holiday weekends. Winter is actually when we’re busiest on Berrien
County highways.
Can I request Zielke Towing if Michigan State Police authorize a tow?
If you call us before police dispatch a tow, you can typically request us as your chosen
provider. Save our number — (269) 925-9573) — in your phone before you ever need it.
Does Zielke Towing handle heavy trucks and commercial vehicles on I-94?
Absolutely. We offer medium-duty and
heavy-duty towing for commercial trucks, box trucks,
and semi-tractors anywhere along the I-94 corridor in Berrien and Van Buren counties.
Stuck on I-94 or US-31? Call Zielke Towing Right Now.
Don’t wait. Don’t scroll through reviews. Don’t risk accepting help from an unlicensed tower.
Zielke Towing & Tires
📍 1303 M-139, Benton Harbor, MI 49022
📞 (269) 925-9573
🌐 zielketowingandtire.com
🕐 Open 24 Hours — Monday through Sunday
Whether you’re at Exit 23 on Pipestone Road, stranded on US-31 near the St. Joseph River bridge,
or stuck on M-139 right in front of our shop — we’re already on our way.
