Washtenaw County, MI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Washtenaw 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
2.9 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.0 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Washtenaw County compares with Michigan
Washtenaw County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Washtenaw County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Washtenaw County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 57.4 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.0 | 2.1 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.29 | 0.30 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.9% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 11% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 13.3% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 25% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.6% | 25.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.7% | 21.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.6% | 44.4% | 41.9% | 8% below the state |
| After dark | 21.4% | 20.7% | 24.8% | same |
Washtenaw County sits below Michigan on garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and winter months (nov–mar). It runs above Michigan on crashes per 100k residents / yr.
What stands out in Washtenaw County: I-94 12 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road in Washtenaw County.
Overview
Washtenaw County has recorded 2,523 truck crashes since 2015, with 755 people injured and 49 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 2 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is September with 9.9% of truck crashes; the quietest is March at 6.8%.
November through March accounts for 40.6% of truck crashes here, compared with 44.4% in Michigan.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 8.7% of truck crashes.
13.3% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 17.7% across Michigan.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-94 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (12). After it: US-23 (6), SR-14 (2) and CR-AUSTIN Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
75 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.0% share (Michigan: 3.2%).
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in March (16%).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 2.9, vs 2.0 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for Washtenaw County fleets
- Build extra time into September routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along I-94; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at March schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- 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 Washtenaw County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Washtenaw County) |
|---|---|
| I-94 | 12 |
| US-23 | 6 |
| SR-14 | 2 |
| CR-AUSTIN Rd | 1 |
| CR-BUTLER Rd | 1 |
| CR-ELLSWORTH Rd | 1 |
| CR-GOODBAND Rd | 1 |
| CR-JOY Rd | 1 |
| CR-OLD Us-12 | 1 |
| Currie Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Washtenaw County) |
|---|---|
| I-94 | 301 |
| US-23 | 242 |
| N Us 23 | 133 |
| Michigan | 133 |
| S Us 23 | 125 |
| Jackson | 33 |
| Main | 28 |
| State | 27 |
Washtenaw County at a glance
| Population | 373,875 |
| Land area | 706.0 sq mi |
| Density | 530 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $87,616 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Washtenaw 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 | 132 | — | 4.2 |
| 2000s | 166 | +26% | 4.0 |
| 2010s | 162 | -2% | 3.1 |
| 2020s | 214 | +32% | 2.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 132 a year in the 1990s and 214 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 3.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 2.8 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Washtenaw County
ZIP codes in Washtenaw County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Washtenaw County
How many truck crashes happen in Washtenaw County?
Since 2015, 2,523 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Washtenaw County (755 injured, 49 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Washtenaw County?
Since 2015, I-94 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes in Washtenaw County: 12.
When do most truck crashes happen in Washtenaw County?
The worst month is September: 9.9% of truck crashes in Washtenaw County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Washtenaw County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 75 reported crashes in Washtenaw County since 2015 (3.0% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in Washtenaw County compared with Michigan?
Washtenaw County records 57.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 52.4 across Michigan.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Washtenaw 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.