ZIP 46514 (Elkhart, IN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 46514: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Elkhart 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
0.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 3.3 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Elkhart County compares with Indiana
Elkhart County against Indiana and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Elkhart County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Elkhart County | Indiana | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 81.7 | 80.8 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.3 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.42 | 0.36 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.1% | 2.4% | 2.3% | 1.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 14.3% | 10.6% | 6.2% | 1.4× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 28.3% | 22.4% | 23.7% | 1.3× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 17.2% | 17.4% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 45.6% | 42.7% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 27.2% | 32.0% | 24.8% | 15% below the state |
Compared with Indiana, Elkhart County is lower on after dark. It runs above Indiana on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
ZIP 46514 at a glance: I-80 most fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 46514: 5 since 2015.
Overview
Police reported 1,956 crashes involving commercial trucks in Elkhart County since 2015: 815 people were injured and 63 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 2 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (11.3% of the year) and are lowest in April (7.0%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 45.6% of truck crashes, against 42.7% across Indiana.
By time of day, 11 am–12 pm stands out with 7.9% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 14.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Indiana: 10.6%).
Where crashes happen
I-80 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 46514 with 5 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. Next come CR-17 (3), CR-REDFIELD St (2) and US-20 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 59 crashes, 3.0% of the total, against 2.4% across Indiana.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in November (17%).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 0.0 deaths compared with 3.3 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 46514 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-80 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in November; review collection routes for that month.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 28.3% of truck crashes here, more than Indiana; adjust start times where you can.
- 14.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Indiana; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Elkhart County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 5 |
| CR-17 | 3 |
| CR-REDFIELD St | 2 |
| US-20 | 2 |
| 3rd St | 1 |
| CR-1 | 1 |
| CR-18 | 1 |
| CR-26 | 1 |
| CR-7 | 1 |
| CR-CASSOPOLIS Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Elkhart County) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 245 |
| US-20 | 207 |
| US-33 | 110 |
| US-6 | 77 |
| SR-15 | 71 |
| SR-13 | 59 |
| SR-19 | 47 |
| SR-120 | 47 |
ZIP 46514 at a glance
| Population | 42,389 |
| Density | 423 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $65,833 |
| Median home value | $196,572 |
| Home ownership | 72% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Elkhart 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 | 89 | — | 5.4 |
| 2000s | 148 | +67% | 4.3 |
| 2010s | 160 | +8% | 4.2 |
| 2020s | 155 | -3% | 5.0 |
In the 1990s about 89 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 155. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 4.5 a year in 2016–19, 5.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 46514
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 46514?
Since 2015, 1,956 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Elkhart County (815 injured, 63 killed).
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 46514?
Since 2015, I-80 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 46514: 5.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 46514?
The worst month is January: 11.3% of truck crashes in Elkhart County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 46514?
Garbage trucks were involved in 59 reported crashes in Elkhart County since 2015 (3.0% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in ZIP 46514 compare with Indiana?
The yearly rate is 81.7 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Elkhart County, vs 80.8 for Indiana.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 46514?
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.