Russell County, KS truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Russell 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 187 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Russell County compares with Kansas
Russell County against Kansas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Russell County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Russell County | Kansas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 238.9 | 61.4 | 49.7 | 3.9× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.9 | 4.8 | 3.4 | 40% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.25 | 0.32 | 0.49 | 22% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.1% | 2.1% | 2.3% | 45% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 10.9% | 9.3% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.3% | 23.1% | 23.7% | 8% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.1% | 15.2% | 13.8% | 20% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 47.1% | 42.2% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 28.7% | 23.2% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Russell County has lower values than Kansas for deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and winter months (nov–mar).
What stands out in Russell County: I-70 deadliest road: 3 fatal truck crashes in Russell County since 2015.
Overview
Russell County has recorded 187 truck crashes since 2015, with 50 people injured and 5 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 23 days.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 12.3% of the yearly total, while October has the fewest (4.3%).
November through March accounts for 47.1% of truck crashes here, compared with 42.2% in Kansas.
The busiest hour is 8–9 am, with 8.6% of truck crashes.
10.9% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 9.3% across Kansas.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks in Russell County is I-70, with 3 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. After it: SR-18 (1) and US-281 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
2 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.1% share (Kansas: 2.1%).
Route planning tips for Russell County fleets
- Build extra time into March routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along I-70; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 10.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Kansas; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Russell County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Russell County) |
|---|---|
| I-70 | 3 |
| SR-18 | 1 |
| US-281 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Russell County) |
|---|---|
| I-070 | 121 |
| Fossil | 5 |
| I-70 | 4 |
| Parking Lot | 3 |
| 181St St | 3 |
| 176Th | 2 |
| 189Th | 2 |
| Old Hwy 40 | 2 |
Russell County at a glance
| Population | 6,620 |
| Land area | 886.3 sq mi |
| Density | 7 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $60,765 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Russell 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 | 9 | — | 0.6 |
| 2000s | 16 | +72% | 0.4 |
| 2010s | 13 | -16% | 0.3 |
| 2020s | 17 | +32% | 0.4 |
In the 1990s about 9 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 17. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 0.8 a year in 2016–19 and 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Russell County
ZIP codes in Russell County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Russell County
How common are truck crashes in Russell County?
187 truck crashes have been reported in Russell County since 2015, with 5 deaths and 50 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Russell County?
NHTSA data shows I-70 with 3 fatal large-truck crashes in Russell County since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Russell County?
The worst month is March: 12.3% of truck crashes in Russell County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Russell County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 2 reported crashes in Russell County since 2015 (1.1% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in Russell County compared with Kansas?
Russell County records 238.9 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 61.4 across Kansas.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Russell 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.