Kalkaska County, MI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Kalkaska 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
4 of 121 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Kalkaska County compares with Michigan
Kalkaska County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Kalkaska County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Kalkaska County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 53.2 | 52.4 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 6.4 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 3.0× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.37 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.8% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 15% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 27.5% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 1.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.9% | 25.5% | 23.7% | 10% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 31.2% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 1.4× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 52.3% | 44.4% | 41.9% | 1.2× the state |
| After dark | 26.6% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 1.3× the state |
Kalkaska County has lower values than Michigan for garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Kalkaska County: 6.4 deaths per 100 truck crashes, vs 2.1 in Michigan.
Overview
Kalkaska County has recorded 121 truck crashes since 2015, with 44 people injured and 7 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 37 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (13.2% of the year) and are lowest in October (2.5%).
November through March accounts for 52.3% of truck crashes here, compared with 44.4% in Michigan.
By time of day, 9–10 am stands out with 9.1% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 27.5% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Michigan: 17.7%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-131 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (3). After it: CR-571 (1), SR-72 (1) and US-31 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 4 crashes, 3.3% of the total, against 3.2% across Michigan.
Route planning tips for Kalkaska County fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along US-131; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 27.5% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Michigan; 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 Kalkaska County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Kalkaska County) |
|---|---|
| US-131 | 3 |
| CR-571 | 1 |
| SR-72 | 1 |
| US-31 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Kalkaska County) |
|---|---|
| US-131 | 36 |
| Cedar | 9 |
| Boardman | 4 |
| Mile | 4 |
| County Road 571 | 3 |
| County Road 612 | 2 |
| Ingersoll | 2 |
| Rapid City | 2 |
Kalkaska County at a glance
| Population | 18,618 |
| Land area | 559.7 sq mi |
| Density | 33 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $70,217 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Kalkaska 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 | 8 | — | 0.4 |
| 2000s | 8 | +9% | 0.3 |
| 2010s | 7 | -19% | 0.5 |
| 2020s | 12 | +69% | 0.4 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 8 to 12. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.0 a year in 2016–19, 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Kalkaska County
ZIP codes in Kalkaska County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Kalkaska County
How many truck crashes happen in Kalkaska County?
121 truck crashes have been reported in Kalkaska County since 2015, with 7 deaths and 44 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Kalkaska County?
Since 2015, US-131 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes in Kalkaska County: 3.
When do most truck crashes happen in Kalkaska County?
Truck crashes in Kalkaska County peak in January, with 13.2% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Kalkaska County?
Since 2015, Kalkaska County has reported 4 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.3% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Kalkaska County compared with Michigan?
Kalkaska County records 53.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 52.4 across Michigan.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Kalkaska County?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.