Eureka, CA truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Eureka: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Eureka and Humboldt County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Humboldt County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
12 of 434 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Humboldt County compares with California
Humboldt County against California and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Humboldt County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Humboldt County | California | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 29.2 | 33.2 | 49.7 | 12% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 8.7 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 2.4× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.39 | 0.44 | 0.49 | 11% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.8% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 1.7× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.4% | 0.9% | 6.2% | 2.5× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.8% | 23.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 14.8% | 6.5% | 13.8% | 2.3× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 32.2% | 40.2% | 41.9% | 20% below the state |
| After dark | 24.0% | 29.1% | 24.8% | 17% below the state |
Compared with California, Humboldt County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and winter months (nov–mar). It runs above California on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Humboldt County: 2.4% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (California: 0.9%).
Overview
Humboldt County has recorded 434 truck crashes since 2015, with 173 people injured and 37 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 9 days.
Only 61 truck crashes were reported in Eureka since 2015; patterns below come from Humboldt County as a whole.
When crashes happen
July has the most truck crashes, 10.8% of the yearly total, while November has the fewest (5.8%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 32.2% of truck crashes, vs 40.2% for California.
The busiest hour is 3–4 pm, with 9.2% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 2.4% of truck crashes, compared with 0.9% in California.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Eureka since 2015: US-101 (3) and Myrtle Ave (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
12 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.8% share (California: 1.6%).
Route planning tips for Eureka fleets
- Plan July schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Humboldt County.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 2.4% of truck crashes here, more than California; schedule winter checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
This report uses the FMCSA crash file (reported crashes of trucks over 10,000 lb) and NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes). It reports the numbers without guessing at reasons.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Humboldt County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-101 | 3 |
| Myrtle Ave | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Humboldt County) |
|---|---|
| US-101 | 5 |
| SR-36 | 4 |
| SR-299 | 3 |
| Central Av/Gwin Rd | 2 |
| Rt101/.7M S Kane Rd | 2 |
| Rt101/.8M S Kane Rd | 2 |
| Rt101/1.2M S Kane Rd | 2 |
| Rt96/.6M E Slate Creek Rd | 2 |
Eureka at a glance
| Population | 25,412 |
| Land area | 9.6 sq mi |
| Density | 2,656 per sq mi |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Humboldt County since the 1990s
Combines the FMCSA crash file (all reported truck crashes, real coverage from about 1990) with NHTSA FARS (fatal crashes involving a large truck, 1982–2024).
| Decade | Truck crashes / yr | Change | Fatal crashes / yr (FARS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | — | — | 2.4 |
| 2000s | 29 | — | 1.2 |
| 2010s | 34 | +16% | 2.1 |
| 2020s | 39 | +14% | 2.0 |
From the 2000s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 29 to 39. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 3.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 2.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Eureka
How common are truck crashes in Eureka?
434 truck crashes have been reported in Humboldt County since 2015, with 37 deaths and 173 injuries.
When do most truck crashes happen in Eureka?
The worst month is July: 10.8% of truck crashes in Humboldt County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Eureka?
12 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Humboldt County since 2015, 2.8% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Eureka compared with California?
Per 100,000 residents, Humboldt County has 29.2 truck crashes a year; California has 33.2.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Eureka?
Use the free Route Planner: enter your stops to get a risk score, safer alternatives and the low bridges on your route.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.