Joplin, MO truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Joplin: 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
6 of 310 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Joplin compares with Missouri
Joplin against Missouri and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Joplin stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Joplin | Missouri | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 49.9 | 85.9 | 49.7 | 42% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.7 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 37% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.35 | 0.44 | 0.49 | 20% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.0% | 2.2% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.0% | 7.2% | 6.2% | 72% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.5% | 22.8% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 9.9% | 10.7% | 13.8% | 8% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 38.8% | 40.7% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 17.3% | 24.7% | 24.8% | 30% below the state |
Joplin has lower values than Missouri for crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. It stands out for higher morning rush (6–10 am).
The headline for Joplin: I-44 deadliest road: 10 fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of Joplin since 2015.
Overview
Police reported 310 crashes involving commercial trucks in Joplin since 2015: 111 people were injured and 5 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 14 days.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 11.3% of the yearly total, while April has the fewest (6.5%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 38.8% of truck crashes, vs 40.7% for Missouri.
The busiest hour is 1–2 pm, with 11.9% of truck crashes.
2.0% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 7.2% across Missouri.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of Joplin is I-44, with 10 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by Sr-Yy (3), I-49 (2) and SR-171 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
6 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.9% share (Missouri: 2.2%).
Route planning tips for Joplin fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Joplin.
- Check whether your routes use I-44, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 25.5% of truck crashes here, more than Missouri; adjust start times where you can.
- 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 Joplin
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-44 | 10 |
| Sr-Yy | 3 |
| I-49 | 2 |
| SR-171 | 2 |
| SR-249 | 2 |
| SR-66 | 2 |
| CR-190 | 1 |
| CR-NEWMAN Rd | 1 |
| CR-SCHIFFERDECKER Ave | 1 |
| SR-96 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Joplin) |
|---|---|
| Is 44 | 73 |
| Mo 66 | 36 |
| Rt Ff | 23 |
| Mo 249 | 22 |
| Lp 49 | 18 |
| Mo 43 | 15 |
| Is 49 | 7 |
| Cst Schifferdecker Ave | 7 |
Joplin at a glance
| Population | 53,605 |
| Land area | 38.1 sq mi |
| Density | 1,408 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 64801) | $52,620 |
| Median home value (ZIP 64801) | $182,286 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Joplin 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 | — | — | 2.9 |
| 2000s | 14 | — | 3.1 |
| 2010s | 24 | +72% | 2.3 |
| 2020s | 25 | +4% | 3.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 14 a year in the 2000s and 25 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 2.8 a year in 2016–19 and 3.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Joplin
How common are truck crashes in Joplin?
310 truck crashes have been reported in Joplin since 2015, with 5 deaths and 111 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in Joplin?
I-44 had 10 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Joplin since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in Joplin?
March has the most truck crashes in Joplin, 11.3% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Joplin?
6 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Joplin since 2015, 1.9% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Joplin compared with Missouri?
The yearly rate is 49.9 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Joplin, vs 85.9 for Missouri.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Joplin?
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.