Phelps County, MO truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Phelps 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
6 of 1,295 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Phelps County compares with Missouri
Phelps County against Missouri and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Phelps County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Phelps County | Missouri | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 246.6 | 85.9 | 49.7 | 2.9× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.5 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 7% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.40 | 0.44 | 0.49 | 9% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.4% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 82% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 11.9% | 7.2% | 6.2% | 1.7× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 19.0% | 22.8% | 23.7% | 17% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 15.5% | 10.7% | 13.8% | 1.4× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.7% | 40.7% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 31.9% | 24.7% | 24.8% | 1.3× the state |
Compared with Missouri, Phelps County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It runs above Missouri on crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow.
The headline for Phelps County: 1 in 250 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 0.4%, vs 2.2% in Missouri.
Overview
Phelps County has recorded 1,295 truck crashes since 2015, with 522 people injured and 34 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 3 days.
When crashes happen
February has the most truck crashes, 12.2% of the yearly total, while August has the fewest (6.9%).
November through March accounts for 46.7% of truck crashes here, compared with 40.7% in Missouri.
More truck crashes happen at 1–2 pm than at any other hour (7.4%).
Road surface: 11.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Missouri: 7.2%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-44 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (19). After it: US-63 (2), Mu-Jefferson St (1) and Old Saint James Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 6 crashes, 0.5% of the total, against 2.2% across Missouri.
Route planning tips for Phelps County fleets
- Build extra time into February routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-44 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- With 11.9% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Missouri), plan winter equipment checks early.
- 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 Phelps County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Phelps County) |
|---|---|
| I-44 | 19 |
| US-63 | 2 |
| Mu-Jefferson St | 1 |
| Old Saint James Rd | 1 |
| SR-68 | 1 |
| SR-72 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Phelps County) |
|---|---|
| Is 44 | 1,000 |
| US-63 | 90 |
| Mo 68 | 23 |
| Mo 72 | 18 |
| Cst Bishop Ave | 11 |
| Cst Jefferson St | 9 |
| Mo 8 | 8 |
| Crd Dillion Outer Rd | 7 |
Phelps County at a glance
| Population | 45,672 |
| Land area | 671.8 sq mi |
| Density | 68 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $58,433 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Phelps 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 | 50 | — | 2.0 |
| 2000s | 58 | +16% | 2.1 |
| 2010s | 73 | +24% | 2.5 |
| 2020s | 121 | +67% | 1.6 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 50 to 121. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 3.5 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.6 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Phelps County
ZIP codes in Phelps County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Phelps County
How many truck crashes happen in Phelps County?
1,295 truck crashes have been reported in Phelps County since 2015, with 34 deaths and 522 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Phelps County?
NHTSA data shows I-44 with 19 fatal large-truck crashes in Phelps County since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Phelps County?
February has the most truck crashes in Phelps County, 12.2% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Phelps County?
Since 2015, Phelps County has reported 6 garbage-truck crashes, or 0.5% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in Phelps County compare with Missouri?
The yearly rate is 246.6 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Phelps County, vs 85.9 for Missouri.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in Phelps County?
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.