Wadena County, MN truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Wadena 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 of 70 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Wadena County compares with Minnesota
Wadena County against Minnesota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Wadena County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Wadena County | Minnesota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 42.2 | 39.0 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 10.4 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.55 | 0.37 | 0.49 | 1.5× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.0% | 2.8% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 25.4% | 25.6% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.4% | 27.0% | 23.7% | 17% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 10.4% | 19.1% | 13.8% | 45% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 47.8% | 46.2% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 20.9% | 20.3% | 24.8% | same |
Wadena County sits below Minnesota on morning rush (6–10 am) and in rain, sleet or snow. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash.
The headline for Wadena County: 10.4 deaths per 100 truck crashes, vs 3.0 in Minnesota.
Overview
Wadena County has recorded 70 truck crashes since 2015, with 39 people injured and 7 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 60 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 18.6% of the yearly total, while August has the fewest (1.4%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 47.8% of truck crashes, against 46.2% across Minnesota.
By time of day, 11 am–12 pm stands out with 12.9% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 25.4% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Minnesota: 25.6%).
Where crashes happen
US-71 leads in Wadena County with 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by CR-2 (1), CR-23 (1) and US-10 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
2 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.9% share (Minnesota: 2.8%).
Route planning tips for Wadena County fleets
- Build extra time into March routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along US-71; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 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 Wadena County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Wadena County) |
|---|---|
| US-71 | 3 |
| CR-2 | 1 |
| CR-23 | 1 |
| US-10 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Wadena County) |
|---|---|
| Usth 71 | 11 |
| Usth 10 | 8 |
| Ash Ave | 5 |
| Hwy | 4 |
| Jefferson St | 4 |
| Aspen Ave | 3 |
| Csah 23 | 3 |
| Main St | 3 |
Wadena County at a glance
| Population | 14,437 |
| Land area | 536.3 sq mi |
| Density | 27 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $66,448 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Wadena 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 | 3 | — | 0.3 |
| 2000s | 6 | +113% | 0.2 |
| 2010s | 6 | +16% | 0.5 |
| 2020s | 5 | -23% | 0.8 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 3 to 5. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.2 a year in 2016–19, 0.8 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Wadena County
ZIP codes in Wadena County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Wadena County
How common are truck crashes in Wadena County?
Wadena County has had 70 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 39 people and killing 7.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Wadena County?
US-71 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck in Wadena County since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in Wadena County?
Truck crashes in Wadena County peak in March, with 18.6% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Wadena County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 2 reported crashes in Wadena County since 2015 (2.9% of truck crashes).
How does Wadena County compare with Minnesota for truck crashes?
Wadena County records 42.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 39.0 across Minnesota.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Wadena 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.