ZIP 49525 (Grand Rapids, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49525: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Kent 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
1.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.5 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Kent County compares with Michigan
Kent County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Kent County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Kent County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 58.4 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.5 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 29% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.22 | 0.30 | 0.49 | 27% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.3% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 28% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 15.9% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 10% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 28.1% | 25.5% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.8% | 21.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.2% | 44.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 18.4% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 11% below the state |
Compared with Michigan, Kent County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr and morning rush (6–10 am).
ZIP 49525 at a glance: US-131 4 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 49525.
Overview
Since 2015, 4,686 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Kent County. They injured 1,048 people and killed 69.
That averages about 1 truck crash a day in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 12.6% of the yearly total, while April has the fewest (6.3%).
November through March accounts for 42.2% of truck crashes here, compared with 44.4% in Michigan.
More truck crashes happen at 8–9 am than at any other hour (8.5%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 15.9% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 49525 is US-131, with 4 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by SR-44 (3), CR-36TH St (1) and CR-CASCADE Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 116 crashes, 2.5% of the total, against 3.2% across Michigan.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in January (14%).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 1.0 deaths compared with 1.5 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 49525 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Kent County.
- Look at alternatives to US-131 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in January; review collection routes for that month.
- 28.1% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Michigan; 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 Kent County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-131 | 4 |
| SR-44 | 3 |
| CR-36TH St | 1 |
| CR-CASCADE Rd | 1 |
| CR-CIRCLE Dr | 1 |
| Michigan St Ne | 1 |
| Pearl St Nw | 1 |
| Plymouth Ave Se | 1 |
| SR-19 | 1 |
| SR-21 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Kent County) |
|---|---|
| US-131 | 414 |
| I-96 | 221 |
| N Us 131 | 205 |
| 28Th | 201 |
| S Us 131 | 200 |
| Mile | 163 |
| 44Th | 113 |
| I-196 | 110 |
ZIP 49525 at a glance
| Population | 30,887 |
| Density | 509 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $94,037 |
| Median home value | $321,649 |
| Home ownership | 80% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Kent 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 | 230 | — | 6.9 |
| 2000s | 253 | +10% | 5.5 |
| 2010s | 259 | +2% | 4.9 |
| 2020s | 428 | +65% | 5.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 230 to 428. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 6.2 a year in 2016–19 and 5.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49525
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 49525?
Kent County has had 4,686 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 1,048 people and killing 69.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 49525?
NHTSA data shows US-131 with 4 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 49525 since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 49525?
Truck crashes in Kent County peak in January, with 12.6% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 49525?
116 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Kent County since 2015, 2.5% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 49525 compare with Michigan for truck crashes?
Kent County records 58.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 52.4 across Michigan.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 49525?
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.