St. Joseph, MO truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in St. Joseph: 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
13 of 594 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How St. Joseph compares with Missouri
St. Joseph against Missouri and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where St. Joseph stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | St. Joseph | Missouri | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 72.1 | 85.9 | 49.7 | 16% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 22% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.45 | 0.44 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.9% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 11% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 5.7% | 7.2% | 6.2% | 21% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.0% | 22.8% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 9.9% | 10.7% | 13.8% | 7% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 39.2% | 40.7% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 21.8% | 24.7% | 24.8% | 12% below the state |
St. Joseph has lower values than Missouri for crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and garbage-truck share.
What stands out in St. Joseph: US-36 deadliest road: 4 fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of St. Joseph since 2015.
Overview
St. Joseph has recorded 594 truck crashes since 2015, with 268 people injured and 12 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 7 days.
When crashes happen
June has the most truck crashes, 11.1% of the yearly total, while December has the fewest (6.6%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 39.2% of truck crashes, vs 40.7% for Missouri.
By time of day, 2–3 pm stands out with 8.9% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 5.7% of truck crashes, compared with 7.2% in Missouri.
Where crashes happen
US-36 leads within 10 miles of St. Joseph with 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: I-229 (2), US-59 (2) and I-29 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
13 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.2% share (Missouri: 2.2%).
Route planning tips for St. Joseph fleets
- Build extra time into June routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to US-36 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 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 St. Joseph
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-36 | 4 |
| I-229 | 2 |
| US-59 | 2 |
| I-29 | 1 |
| Mason Rd | 1 |
| Mu-Hickory St | 1 |
| SR-238 | 1 |
| Sr-A | 1 |
| US-169 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (St. Joseph) |
|---|---|
| Is 29 | 157 |
| US-36 | 48 |
| Cst Belt Hwy | 30 |
| US-169 | 30 |
| Is 229 | 26 |
| Cst Stockyards Expy | 25 |
| Cst 6Th St | 16 |
| Cst Frederick Blvd | 15 |
St. Joseph at a glance
| Population | 71,098 |
| Land area | 44.0 sq mi |
| Density | 1,615 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 64501) | $46,731 |
| Median home value (ZIP 64501) | $96,080 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in St. Joseph 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 | — | — | 0.6 |
| 2000s | 17 | — | 0.9 |
| 2010s | 42 | +146% | 0.7 |
| 2020s | 44 | +4% | 1.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 17 a year in the 2000s and 44 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.5 a year in 2016–19, 1.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about St. Joseph
How common are truck crashes in St. Joseph?
Since 2015, 594 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in St. Joseph (268 injured, 12 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in St. Joseph?
US-36 had 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of St. Joseph since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in St. Joseph?
The worst month is June: 11.1% of truck crashes in St. Joseph happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in St. Joseph?
13 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in St. Joseph since 2015, 2.2% of all truck crashes.
How does St. Joseph compare with Missouri for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, St. Joseph has 72.1 truck crashes a year; Missouri has 85.9.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in St. Joseph?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.