Bakersfield, CA truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Bakersfield: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
13 of 1,035 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Bakersfield compares with California
Bakersfield against California and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Bakersfield stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Bakersfield | California | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 21.8 | 33.2 | 49.7 | 34% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.3 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 1.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.51 | 0.44 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.2% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 27% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.2% | 0.9% | 6.2% | 78% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.7% | 23.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 6.9% | 6.5% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.1% | 40.2% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 23.8% | 29.1% | 24.8% | 18% below the state |
Bakersfield has lower values than California for crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
Bakersfield at a glance: SR-99 deadliest road: 24 fatal truck crashes within 15 miles of Bakersfield since 2015.
Overview
Bakersfield has recorded 1,035 truck crashes since 2015, with 542 people injured and 54 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 4 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in March (10.0% of the year) and are lowest in November (7.1%).
November through March accounts for 41.1% of truck crashes here, compared with 40.2% in California.
By time of day, 2–3 pm stands out with 7.4% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.2% of truck crashes, compared with 0.9% in California.
Where crashes happen
SR-99 leads within 15 miles of Bakersfield with 24 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by SR-58 (11), SR-119 (6) and SR-184 (4).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 13 crashes, 1.3% of the total, against 1.6% across California.
Route planning tips for Bakersfield fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Bakersfield.
- Check whether your routes use SR-99, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Bakersfield
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 15 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-99 | 24 |
| SR-58 | 11 |
| SR-119 | 6 |
| SR-184 | 4 |
| SR-223 | 4 |
| SR-65 | 4 |
| I-5 | 3 |
| Old River Rd | 3 |
| 7th Standard Rd | 2 |
| CR-DI Giorgio Rd | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Bakersfield) |
|---|---|
| Sr-99 S/B | 7 |
| SR-99 | 6 |
| Sr-99 N/B | 5 |
| 7Th Standard Rd//Zerker Rd | 4 |
| Rt99/.3M N Ming Av Oc | 4 |
| Sr99 Sb/230Ft S California Av | 3 |
| Rt99/5Ft S Planz Rd | 3 |
| Rt99/300Ft S Planz Rd | 3 |
Bakersfield at a glance
| Population | 417,468 |
| Land area | 150.3 sq mi |
| Density | 2,778 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 93304) | $50,790 |
| Median home value (ZIP 93304) | $241,602 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Bakersfield 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 | — | — | 23.6 |
| 2000s | 42 | — | 20.5 |
| 2010s | 78 | +85% | 21.7 |
| 2020s | 94 | +19% | 28.2 |
From the 2000s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 42 to 94. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 25.0 a year in 2016–19 and 28.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Bakersfield
How many truck crashes happen in Bakersfield?
Since 2015, 1,035 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Bakersfield (542 injured, 54 killed).
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Bakersfield?
NHTSA data shows SR-99 with 24 fatal large-truck crashes within 15 miles of Bakersfield since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in Bakersfield?
The worst month is March: 10.0% of truck crashes in Bakersfield happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Bakersfield?
13 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Bakersfield since 2015, 1.3% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Bakersfield compare with California?
The yearly rate is 21.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Bakersfield, vs 33.2 for California.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Bakersfield?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.