ZIP 46544 (Mishawaka, IN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 46544: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in St. Joseph 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 2.8 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How St. Joseph County compares with Indiana
St. Joseph County against Indiana and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where St. Joseph County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | St. Joseph County | Indiana | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 52.4 | 80.8 | 49.7 | 35% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.8 | 2.9 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.34 | 0.36 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.5% | 2.4% | 2.3% | 1.1× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 22.3% | 10.6% | 6.2% | 2.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.6% | 22.4% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 21.1% | 17.4% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 48.8% | 42.7% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 30.5% | 32.0% | 24.8% | same |
St. Joseph County has lower values than Indiana for crashes per 100k residents / yr. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am).
St. Joseph County at a glance: 22.3% share of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (Indiana: 10.6%).
Overview
St. Joseph County has recorded 1,696 truck crashes since 2015, with 658 people injured and 44 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 3 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 15.3% of truck crashes; the quietest is May at 6.1%.
November through March accounts for 48.8% of truck crashes here, compared with 42.7% in Indiana.
By time of day, 11 am–12 pm stands out with 8.8% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 22.3% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Indiana: 10.6%).
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 46544 is I-80, with 4 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. Next come 3rd St (1), Beech Rd (1) and CR-1 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 44 of the truck crashes here, or 2.6%, compared with 2.4% in Indiana.
Their busiest month is June, with 11% of garbage-truck crashes.
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 0.0 deaths compared with 2.8 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 46544 fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-80, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Waste haulers: June is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in St. Joseph County.
- 25.6% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Indiana; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- With 22.3% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above Indiana), 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 St. Joseph County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 4 |
| 3rd St | 1 |
| Beech Rd | 1 |
| CR-1 | 1 |
| CR-26 | 1 |
| CR-42 | 1 |
| Day Rd | 1 |
| Mu-Fairview Ave | 1 |
| Olive St | 1 |
| SR-19 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (St. Joseph County) |
|---|---|
| I-80 | 318 |
| US-20 | 122 |
| SR-2 | 75 |
| US-31 | 41 |
| SR-23 | 37 |
| SR-331 | 31 |
| St Joseph Valley Pkwy | 29 |
| SR-933 | 26 |
ZIP 46544 at a glance
| Population | 31,077 |
| Density | 302 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $58,829 |
| Median home value | $169,700 |
| Home ownership | 64% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in St. Joseph 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 | 58 | — | 3.1 |
| 2000s | 124 | +114% | 2.6 |
| 2010s | 139 | +12% | 3.1 |
| 2020s | 127 | -8% | 3.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 58 to 127. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 4.2 a year in 2016–19, 3.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 46544
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 46544?
Since 2015, 1,696 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in St. Joseph County (658 injured, 44 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 46544?
I-80 had 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 46544 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 46544?
The worst month is January: 15.3% of truck crashes in St. Joseph County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 46544?
44 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in St. Joseph County since 2015, 2.6% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 46544 compared with Indiana?
The yearly rate is 52.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in St. Joseph County, vs 80.8 for Indiana.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 46544?
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.