McDonald County, MO truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in McDonald 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
8 of 378 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How McDonald County compares with Missouri
McDonald County against Missouri and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where McDonald County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | McDonald County | Missouri | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 135.3 | 85.9 | 49.7 | 1.6× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.1 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.36 | 0.44 | 0.49 | 18% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 5.9% | 7.2% | 6.2% | 18% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.2% | 22.8% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.0% | 10.7% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 37.7% | 40.7% | 41.9% | 7% below the state |
| After dark | 25.7% | 24.7% | 24.8% | same |
McDonald County has lower values than Missouri for injuries per crash, on snow, slush or ice and winter months (nov–mar). Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and in rain, sleet or snow.
McDonald County at a glance: US-71 most fatal truck crashes in McDonald County: 4 since 2015.
Overview
McDonald County has recorded 378 truck crashes since 2015, with 133 people injured and 13 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 11 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is August with 10.1% of truck crashes; the quietest is March at 5.6%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 37.7% of truck crashes, against 40.7% across Missouri.
The busiest hour is 11 am–12 pm, with 8.5% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 5.9% of truck crashes, compared with 7.2% in Missouri.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks in McDonald County is US-71, with 4 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. Next come SR-43 (2), I-49 (1) and SR-90 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 8 of the truck crashes here, or 2.1%, compared with 2.2% in Missouri.
Route planning tips for McDonald County fleets
- Build extra time into August 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
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 McDonald County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in McDonald County) |
|---|---|
| US-71 | 4 |
| SR-43 | 2 |
| I-49 | 1 |
| SR-90 | 1 |
| Sr-C | 1 |
| Sr-Dd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (McDonald County) |
|---|---|
| Is 49 | 70 |
| US-71 | 52 |
| Mo 76 | 49 |
| Mo 43 | 43 |
| Mo 59 | 34 |
| Mo 90 | 29 |
| Rt H | 18 |
| Rt Cc | 5 |
McDonald County at a glance
| Population | 24,054 |
| Land area | 539.4 sq mi |
| Density | 45 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $54,021 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in McDonald 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 | 37 | — | 1.9 |
| 2000s | 32 | -14% | 1.8 |
| 2010s | 24 | -25% | 0.7 |
| 2020s | 32 | +31% | 1.0 |
In the 1990s about 37 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 32. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. NHTSA counts 1.0 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in McDonald County
ZIP codes in McDonald County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about McDonald County
How many truck accidents are there in McDonald County?
378 truck crashes have been reported in McDonald County since 2015, with 13 deaths and 133 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in McDonald County?
US-71 had 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck in McDonald County since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in McDonald County?
The worst month is August: 10.1% of truck crashes in McDonald County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in McDonald County?
8 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in McDonald County since 2015, 2.1% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in McDonald County compared with Missouri?
The yearly rate is 135.3 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in McDonald County, vs 85.9 for Missouri.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in McDonald 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.