ZIP 49242 (Hillsdale, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49242: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Hillsdale 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
11 of 222 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Hillsdale County compares with Michigan
Hillsdale County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Hillsdale County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Hillsdale County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 41.7 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 20% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 9.1 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 4.3× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.35 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.8% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.5× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 17.2% | 17.7% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.3% | 25.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 18.7% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 15% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.5% | 44.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 14.3% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 31% below the state |
Hillsdale County has lower values than Michigan for crashes per 100k residents / yr, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark. It runs above Michigan on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
What stands out in Hillsdale County: 9.1 deaths per 100 truck crashes, vs 2.1 in Michigan.
Overview
Since 2015, 222 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Hillsdale County. They injured 76 people and killed 19.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 19 days.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 13.5% of the yearly total, while March has the fewest (6.3%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 44.5% of truck crashes, against 44.4% across Michigan.
The busiest hour is 10–11 am, with 12.6% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 17.2% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 49242 is US-12, with 2 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by CR-CAMDEN Rd (1), Reading Rd (1) and SR-49 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 11 of the truck crashes here, or 5.0%, compared with 3.2% in Michigan.
Route planning tips for ZIP 49242 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Check whether your routes use US-12, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Hillsdale County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-12 | 2 |
| CR-CAMDEN Rd | 1 |
| Reading Rd | 1 |
| SR-49 | 1 |
| SR-99 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Hillsdale County) |
|---|---|
| Chicago | 44 |
| Hudson | 14 |
| Carleton | 11 |
| Edon | 11 |
| Meridian | 9 |
| Pioneer | 6 |
| Olds | 6 |
| Litchfield | 6 |
ZIP 49242 at a glance
| Population | 14,750 |
| Density | 63 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $61,029 |
| Median home value | $181,634 |
| Home ownership | 73% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Hillsdale 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 | 17 | — | 1.2 |
| 2000s | 16 | -10% | 1.1 |
| 2010s | 14 | -13% | 0.9 |
| 2020s | 18 | +36% | 1.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 17 to 18. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 1.5 a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49242
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 49242?
222 truck crashes have been reported in Hillsdale County since 2015, with 19 deaths and 76 injuries.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 49242?
US-12 had 2 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 49242 since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 49242?
January has the most truck crashes in Hillsdale County, 13.5% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 49242?
11 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Hillsdale County since 2015, 5.0% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 49242 compare with Michigan?
Hillsdale County records 41.7 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 52.4 across Michigan.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 49242?
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.