McPherson County, KS truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in McPherson 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
2 of 248 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How McPherson County compares with Kansas
McPherson County against Kansas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where McPherson County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | McPherson County | Kansas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 70.7 | 61.4 | 49.7 | 1.2× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.7 | 4.8 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.32 | 0.32 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.9% | 2.1% | 2.3% | 59% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 9.3% | 9.3% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.5% | 23.1% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 17.0% | 15.2% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 45.8% | 42.2% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 25.4% | 23.2% | 24.8% | 1.1× the state |
McPherson County has lower values than Kansas for garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, in rain, sleet or snow and winter months (nov–mar).
What stands out in McPherson County: 1 in 118 garbage-truck share of crashes is 0.9%, against 2.1% for Kansas.
Overview
McPherson County has recorded 248 truck crashes since 2015, with 84 people injured and 12 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 17 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 11.7% of the yearly total, while May has the fewest (5.6%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 45.8% of truck crashes, against 42.2% across Kansas.
More truck crashes happen at 11 am–12 pm than at any other hour (8.5%).
Road surface: 9.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Kansas: 9.3%).
Where crashes happen
SR-61 leads in McPherson County with 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by 14th Ave (2), I-135 (2) and US-56 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 2 crashes, 0.8% of the total, against 2.1% across Kansas.
Route planning tips for McPherson County fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Look at alternatives to SR-61 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 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 McPherson County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in McPherson County) |
|---|---|
| SR-61 | 3 |
| 14th Ave | 2 |
| I-135 | 2 |
| US-56 | 2 |
| 6th Ave | 1 |
| SR-153 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (McPherson County) |
|---|---|
| I-135 | 86 |
| 14Th | 6 |
| 17Th | 6 |
| Old 81 Hwy | 3 |
| Moccasin | 3 |
| Limestone | 3 |
| 22Nd | 2 |
| 27Th | 2 |
McPherson County at a glance
| Population | 30,334 |
| Land area | 898.3 sq mi |
| Density | 34 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $79,839 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in McPherson 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 | 19 | — | 1.4 |
| 2000s | 18 | -6% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 20 | +12% | 0.9 |
| 2020s | 22 | +12% | 1.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 19 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. NHTSA counts 1.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in McPherson County
ZIP codes in McPherson County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about McPherson County
How many truck accidents are there in McPherson County?
McPherson County has had 248 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 84 people and killing 12.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in McPherson County?
SR-61 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck in McPherson County since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in McPherson County?
The worst month is January: 11.7% of truck crashes in McPherson County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in McPherson County?
Since 2015, McPherson County has reported 2 garbage-truck crashes, or 0.8% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in McPherson County compared with Kansas?
The yearly rate is 70.7 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in McPherson County, vs 61.4 for Kansas.
How can I plan a safer truck route in McPherson 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.