Esko, MN truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Esko: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Esko 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 |
Carlton County has lower values than Minnesota for 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).
The headline for Carlton County: December the month with the most truck crashes: 19.6% of the year's total.
Overview
Since 2015, 143 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Carlton County. They injured 42 people and killed 3.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 31 days.
Only 0 truck crashes were reported in Esko since 2015; patterns below come from Carlton County as a whole.
When crashes happen
The worst month is December with 19.6% of truck crashes; the quietest is May at 0.0%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 65.4% of truck crashes, vs 46.2% for Minnesota.
More truck crashes happen at 11 am–12 pm than at any other hour (9.1%).
Road surface: 46.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Minnesota: 25.6%).
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Esko since 2015: CR-4 (1), I-35 (1) and US-2 (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
3 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.1% share (Minnesota: 2.8%).
Route planning tips for Esko fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Carlton County.
- 46.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Minnesota; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Carlton County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| CR-4 | 1 |
| I-35 | 1 |
| US-2 | 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 |
Esko at a glance
| Land area | 4.9 sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 55733) | $118,260 |
| Median home value (ZIP 55733) | $353,094 |
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 Esko
How many truck crashes happen in Esko?
Carlton County has had 143 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 42 people and killing 3.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Esko?
The worst month is December: 19.6% of truck crashes in Carlton County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Esko?
3 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Carlton County since 2015, 2.1% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Esko compared with Minnesota?
The yearly rate is 32.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Carlton County, vs 39.0 for Minnesota.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Esko?
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.