McPherson, KS truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in McPherson: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in McPherson and McPherson County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use McPherson County numbers.
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 |
Compared with Kansas, McPherson County is lower on 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.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 17 days.
Only 2 truck crashes were reported in McPherson since 2015; patterns below come from McPherson County as a whole.
78% of truck crash reports in McPherson County since 2015 leave the city field blank; place counts include only reports that name the place.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (11.7% of the year) and are lowest in May (5.6%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 45.8% of truck crashes, vs 42.2% for Kansas.
More truck crashes happen at 11 am–12 pm than at any other hour (8.5%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 9.3% of truck crashes, compared with 9.3% in Kansas.
Where crashes happen
SR-61 leads within 10 miles of McPherson with 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by 14th Ave (2), I-135 (1) and SR-153 (1).
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 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in McPherson County.
- Look at alternatives to SR-61 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-61 | 3 |
| 14th Ave | 2 |
| I-135 | 1 |
| SR-153 | 1 |
| US-56 | 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 at a glance
| Population | 14,068 |
| Land area | 8.2 sq mi |
| Density | 1,718 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 67460) | $80,720 |
| Median home value (ZIP 67460) | $219,676 |
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 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 19 to 22. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.2 a year in 2016–19, 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about McPherson
How many truck accidents are there in McPherson?
Since 2015, 248 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in McPherson County (84 injured, 12 killed).
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in McPherson?
SR-61 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of McPherson since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in McPherson?
January has the most truck crashes in McPherson County, 11.7% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in McPherson?
2 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in McPherson County since 2015, 0.8% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in McPherson 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?
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.