Big Lake, Carlton County, MN truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Big Lake, Carlton County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Big Lake, Carlton County and Carlton County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Carlton County numbers.
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. It stands out for higher on snow, slush or ice, in rain, sleet or snow and winter months (nov–mar).
What stands out in Carlton County: December worst month: 19.6% of truck crashes, vs 8.3% in an average month.
Overview
Carlton County has recorded 143 truck crashes since 2015, with 42 people injured and 3 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 31 days.
With 0 truck crashes reported in Big Lake, Carlton County since 2015, this page uses Carlton County numbers for its patterns and comparisons.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in December (19.6% of the year) and are lowest in May (0.0%).
November through March accounts for 65.4% of truck crashes here, compared with 46.2% in 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
Since 2015, fatal crashes with a large truck within 10 miles of Big Lake happened on SR-210 (2) and I-35 (1); no road leads clearly.
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 Big Lake, Carlton County fleets
- Review driver schedules for December, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 46.2% of truck crashes here, more than Minnesota; schedule winter checks early.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
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 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-210 | 2 |
| 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 |
Big Lake, Carlton County at a glance
| Land area | 2.1 sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 55780) | $76,042 |
| Median home value (ZIP 55780) | $195,836 |
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 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 2 to 11. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 0.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Big Lake, Carlton County
How many truck accidents are there in Big Lake, Carlton County?
Since 2015, 143 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Carlton County (42 injured, 3 killed).
Which month has the most truck crashes in Big Lake, Carlton County?
Truck crashes in Carlton County peak in December, with 19.6% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Big Lake, Carlton County?
Since 2015, Carlton County has reported 3 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.1% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Big Lake, 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 Big Lake, Carlton 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.