Carlton County, MN truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Carlton 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
3 of 143 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Carlton County compares with Minnesota
Carlton County against Minnesota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Carlton County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Carlton County | Minnesota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 32.2 | 39.0 | 49.7 | 17% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.3 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 23% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.26 | 0.37 | 0.49 | 30% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.3% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 18% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 46.2% | 25.6% | 6.2% | 1.8× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.6% | 27.0% | 23.7% | 9% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 31.5% | 19.1% | 13.8% | 1.7× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 65.4% | 46.2% | 41.9% | 1.4× the state |
| After dark | 29.2% | 20.3% | 24.8% | 1.4× the state |
Compared with Minnesota, Carlton County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. Where it is higher: on snow, slush or ice, in rain, sleet or snow and winter months (nov–mar).
Carlton County at a glance: December 19.6% of truck crashes happen in December, more than any other month.
Overview
Since 2015, 143 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Carlton County. They injured 42 people and killed 3.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 31 days.
When crashes happen
December has the most truck crashes, 19.6% of the yearly total, while May has the fewest (0.0%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 65.4% of truck crashes, against 46.2% across Minnesota.
By time of day, 11 am–12 pm stands out with 9.1% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 46.2% of truck crashes, compared with 25.6% in Minnesota.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck in Carlton County since 2015: SR-210 (2), CR-4 (1) and I-35 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 3 crashes, 2.1% of the total, against 2.8% across Minnesota.
Route planning tips for Carlton County fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Carlton County.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 46.2% of truck crashes here, more than Minnesota; schedule winter checks early.
- 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 Carlton County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Carlton County) |
|---|---|
| SR-210 | 2 |
| CR-4 | 1 |
| I-35 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Carlton County) |
|---|---|
| I-35 | 36 |
| Mnth 210 | 20 |
| Mnth 45 | 8 |
| Mnth 73 | 6 |
| Csah 45 | 4 |
| Mnth 33 | 4 |
| W Co Hwy 61 | 3 |
| Cloquet Ave | 2 |
Carlton County at a glance
| Population | 36,745 |
| Land area | 861.2 sq mi |
| Density | 43 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $79,175 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Carlton 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 | 2 | — | 0.2 |
| 2000s | 11 | +398% | 0.6 |
| 2010s | 12 | +11% | 0.5 |
| 2020s | 11 | -9% | 0.4 |
In the 1990s about 2 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 11. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.2 a year in 2016–19, 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Carlton County
ZIP codes in Carlton County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Carlton County
How many truck accidents are there in Carlton County?
Carlton County has had 143 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 42 people and killing 3.
When do most truck crashes happen in Carlton County?
December has the most truck crashes in Carlton County, 19.6% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Carlton County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 3 reported crashes in Carlton County since 2015 (2.1% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in Carlton County compare with Minnesota?
Carlton County records 32.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 39.0 across Minnesota.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Carlton 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.