Cerro Gordo County, IA truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Cerro Gordo County: 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
8 of 387 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cerro Gordo County compares with Iowa
Cerro Gordo County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cerro Gordo County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 75.5 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.31 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 24% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.0% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 9% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 30.9% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 1.7× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.8% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.1% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 1.5× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 55.8% | 45.4% | 41.9% | 1.2× the state |
| After dark | 28.1% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Cerro Gordo County has lower values than Iowa for injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am).
What stands out in Cerro Gordo County: 30.9% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 18.7% across Iowa.
Overview
Since 2015, 387 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Cerro Gordo County. They injured 126 people and killed 12.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 11 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (15.0% of the year) and are lowest in September (3.9%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 55.8% of truck crashes, vs 45.4% for Iowa.
The busiest hour is 10–11 am, with 10.6% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 30.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Iowa: 18.7%).
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks in Cerro Gordo County is US-18, with 3 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by I-35 (2), CR-B55 170Th St (1) and CR-S26/HICKORY Ave (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 8 crashes, 2.1% of the total, against 2.2% across Iowa.
Route planning tips for Cerro Gordo County fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Where you can, review stops along US-18; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Morning starts matter: 25.8% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Iowa.
- 30.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Iowa; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Cerro Gordo County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Cerro Gordo County) |
|---|---|
| US-18 | 3 |
| I-35 | 2 |
| CR-B55 170Th St | 1 |
| CR-S26/HICKORY Ave | 1 |
| S Carolina Ave | 1 |
| SR-122 | 1 |
| US-65 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cerro Gordo County) |
|---|---|
| US-18 | 8 |
| US-65 | 8 |
| Interstate 35/I 35 | 6 |
| I-35 | 5 |
| 300Th St | 5 |
| 150Th St | 4 |
| Ramp Us 18 W To I 35 | 3 |
| Mm I 35 | 3 |
Cerro Gordo County at a glance
| Population | 42,493 |
| Land area | 568.3 sq mi |
| Density | 75 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $70,472 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cerro Gordo 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 | 14 | — | 0.8 |
| 2000s | 27 | +92% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 29 | +7% | 1.3 |
| 2020s | 30 | +5% | 0.6 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 14 a year in the 1990s and 30 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.0 a year in 2016–19, 0.6 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Cerro Gordo County
ZIP codes in Cerro Gordo County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Cerro Gordo County
How common are truck crashes in Cerro Gordo County?
387 truck crashes have been reported in Cerro Gordo County since 2015, with 12 deaths and 126 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Cerro Gordo County?
NHTSA data shows US-18 with 3 fatal large-truck crashes in Cerro Gordo County since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in Cerro Gordo County?
January has the most truck crashes in Cerro Gordo County, 15.0% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Cerro Gordo County?
Since 2015, Cerro Gordo County has reported 8 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.1% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Cerro Gordo County compared with Iowa?
Per 100,000 residents, Cerro Gordo County has 75.5 truck crashes a year; Iowa has 68.1.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Cerro Gordo County?
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.