West Chicago, IL truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in West Chicago: 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
6 of 236 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How West Chicago compares with Illinois
West Chicago against Illinois and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where West Chicago stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | West Chicago | Illinois | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 82.5 | 56.0 | 49.7 | 1.5× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.7 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 35% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.43 | 0.50 | 0.49 | 14% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.2% | 1.4% | 2.3% | 1.6× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 7.4% | 9.0% | 6.2% | 18% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 34.6% | 24.3% | 23.7% | 1.4× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 16.0% | 17.9% | 13.8% | 10% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.6% | 42.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 16.4% | 24.1% | 24.8% | 32% below the state |
West Chicago sits below Illinois on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
West Chicago at a glance: 1 in 46 crashes involve a garbage truck (6 since 2015), vs 1.4% across Illinois.
Overview
Since 2015, 236 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in West Chicago. They injured 101 people and killed 4.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 17 days.
When crashes happen
December has the most truck crashes, 10.2% of the yearly total, while August has the fewest (5.5%).
November through March accounts for 44.6% of truck crashes here, compared with 42.0% in Illinois.
More truck crashes happen at 9–10 am than at any other hour (9.3%).
Road surface: 7.4% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Illinois: 9.0%).
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of West Chicago since 2015 were spread across roads: I-88 (4), SR-53 (4), SR-64 (3), CR-34 Randall Rd (2) and Commons Dr (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 6 crashes, 2.5% of the total, against 1.4% across Illinois.
Route planning tips for West Chicago fleets
- Build extra time into December routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Morning starts matter: 34.6% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Illinois.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in West Chicago
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-88 | 4 |
| SR-53 | 4 |
| SR-64 | 3 |
| CR-34 Randall Rd | 2 |
| Commons Dr | 2 |
| SR-25 | 2 |
| SR-31 | 2 |
| SR-59 | 2 |
| US-20 | 2 |
| CR-11 Army Trail Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (West Chicago) |
|---|---|
| Il Route 59 | 64 |
| Il Route 38 | 33 |
| Il Route 64 | 31 |
| North Ave | 10 |
| Kress Rd | 9 |
| Powis Rd | 9 |
| Hawthorne Ln | 8 |
| Fabyan Pkwy | 5 |
West Chicago at a glance
| Population | 25,469 |
| Land area | 15.4 sq mi |
| Density | 1,653 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 60185) | $107,194 |
| Median home value (ZIP 60185) | $340,399 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in West Chicago 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 | 7 | — | 7.3 |
| 2000s | 14 | +94% | 5.1 |
| 2010s | 18 | +28% | 3.0 |
| 2020s | 22 | +22% | 5.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 7 a year in the 1990s and 22 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 2.8 a year in 2016–19, 5.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about West Chicago
How many truck crashes happen in West Chicago?
236 truck crashes have been reported in West Chicago since 2015, with 4 deaths and 101 injuries.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in West Chicago?
Truck crashes in West Chicago peak in December, with 10.2% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in West Chicago?
Garbage trucks were involved in 6 reported crashes in West Chicago since 2015 (2.5% of truck crashes).
How does West Chicago compare with Illinois for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, West Chicago has 82.5 truck crashes a year; Illinois has 56.0.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in West Chicago?
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.