ZIP 21541 (McHenry, MD) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 21541: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Garrett County, 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
5 of 378 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Garrett County compares with Maryland
Garrett County against Maryland and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Garrett County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Garrett County | Maryland | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 112.1 | 49.3 | 49.7 | 2.3× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.6 | 2.2 | 3.4 | 2.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.53 | 0.53 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.4% | 3.1% | 2.3% | 53% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 18.3% | 2.4% | 6.2% | 7.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.4% | 24.7% | 23.7% | 13% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.9% | 13.8% | 13.8% | 1.7× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.0% | 40.4% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 29.7% | 25.2% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Garrett County has lower values than Maryland for garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am). It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice.
The headline for Garrett County: 18.3% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (Maryland: 2.4%).
Overview
Since 2015, 378 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Garrett County. They injured 196 people and killed 17.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 11 days.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 12.2% of the yearly total, while September has the fewest (5.0%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 44.0% of truck crashes, against 40.4% across Maryland.
By time of day, 1–2 pm stands out with 9.3% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 18.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Maryland: 2.4%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-219 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (3). It is followed by SR-42 (2) and SR-135 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
5 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.3% share (Maryland: 3.1%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 21541 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to US-219 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 18.3% of truck crashes here, more than Maryland; schedule winter checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Garrett County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-219 | 3 |
| SR-42 | 2 |
| SR-135 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Garrett County) |
|---|---|
| National Freeway | 135 |
| Garrett Hwy | 27 |
| Maryland Hwy | 17 |
| Bittinger Rd | 13 |
| National Pike | 11 |
| Is 68 - National Freeway | 10 |
| Acrs Marked Off Road | 6 |
| Friendsville Rd | 6 |
ZIP 21541 at a glance
| Population | 1,335 |
| Density | 22 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $82,955 |
| Home ownership | 85% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Garrett 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 | 20 | — | 1.7 |
| 2000s | 21 | +5% | 1.4 |
| 2010s | 26 | +23% | 0.7 |
| 2020s | 34 | +33% | 1.6 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 20 a year in the 1990s and 34 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.0 a year in 2016–19, 1.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 21541
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 21541?
378 truck crashes have been reported in Garrett County since 2015, with 17 deaths and 196 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 21541?
US-219 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 21541 since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 21541?
January has the most truck crashes in Garrett County, 12.2% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 21541?
Garbage trucks were involved in 5 reported crashes in Garrett County since 2015 (1.3% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in ZIP 21541 compare with Maryland?
The yearly rate is 112.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Garrett County, vs 49.3 for Maryland.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 21541?
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.