Cascade County, MT truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Cascade 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
4 of 268 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cascade County compares with Montana
Cascade County against Montana and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cascade County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cascade County | Montana | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 27.7 | 64.3 | 49.7 | 57% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.8 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 1.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.28 | 0.34 | 0.49 | 18% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.6% | 0.9% | 2.3% | 1.7× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 36.0% | 39.4% | 6.2% | 8% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 27.5% | 22.9% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 21.3% | 20.6% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 55.0% | 54.3% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 28.3% | 30.8% | 24.8% | 8% below the state |
Cascade County sits below Montana on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
The headline for Cascade County: 1 in 65 garbage-truck share of crashes is 1.6%, against 0.9% for Montana.
Overview
Police reported 268 crashes involving commercial trucks in Cascade County since 2015: 74 people were injured and 15 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 16 days.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 12.7% of the yearly total, while April has the fewest (4.1%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 55.0% of truck crashes, vs 54.3% for Montana.
By time of day, 9–10 am stands out with 10.1% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 36.0% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Montana: 39.4%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-87 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (5). After it: I-15 (4), US-89 (3) and Central Ave W (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
4 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.5% share (Montana: 0.9%).
Route planning tips for Cascade County fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Look at alternatives to US-87 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 27.5% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Montana; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- 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 Cascade County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Cascade County) |
|---|---|
| US-87 | 5 |
| I-15 | 4 |
| US-89 | 3 |
| Central Ave W | 1 |
| Lr- Central Ave W | 1 |
| Us-Hwy 87 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cascade County) |
|---|---|
| Mm 1.9 Us Highway 87E | 2 |
| 23Rd St S & 10Th Ave | 1 |
| 87.5 Eb Us Hwy 87/89E | 1 |
| I-15 Nb Mp 278 | 1 |
| I-15 Sb Mp 254 | 1 |
| Lower River Rd | 1 |
| Mm 5.4 Us Highway 89/Montana 200 | 1 |
| Mm 59.6 Us 89S | 1 |
Cascade County at a glance
| Population | 84,523 |
| Land area | 2,698.2 sq mi |
| Density | 31 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $68,748 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cascade 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 | — | — | 0.6 |
| 2000s | 21 | — | 0.4 |
| 2010s | 25 | +19% | 0.7 |
| 2020s | 20 | -19% | 2.0 |
In the 2000s about 21 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 20. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 1.0 a year in 2016–19 and 2.0 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Cascade County
ZIP codes in Cascade County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Cascade County
How common are truck crashes in Cascade County?
Cascade County has had 268 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 74 people and killing 15.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Cascade County?
NHTSA data shows US-87 with 5 fatal large-truck crashes in Cascade County since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Cascade County?
January has the most truck crashes in Cascade County, 12.7% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in Cascade County?
Garbage trucks were involved in 4 reported crashes in Cascade County since 2015 (1.5% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in Cascade County compared with Montana?
Per 100,000 residents, Cascade County has 27.7 truck crashes a year; Montana has 64.3.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Cascade 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.