ZIP 49685 (Traverse City, MI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 49685: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Grand Traverse 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 3.7 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Grand Traverse County compares with Michigan
Grand Traverse County against Michigan and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Grand Traverse County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Grand Traverse County | Michigan | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 45.7 | 52.4 | 49.7 | 13% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.7 | 2.1 | 3.4 | 1.8× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.29 | 0.30 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 5.1% | 3.2% | 2.3% | 1.6× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 25.9% | 17.7% | 6.2% | 1.5× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 23.9% | 25.5% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 23.9% | 21.9% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.2% | 44.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 14.2% | 20.7% | 24.8% | 31% below the state |
Grand Traverse County sits below Michigan on crashes per 100k residents / yr and after dark. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
The headline for Grand Traverse County: 1 in 19 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 5.1%, vs 3.2% in Michigan.
Overview
Since 2015, 518 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Grand Traverse County. They injured 153 people and killed 18.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 8 days.
When crashes happen
February has the most truck crashes, 10.0% of the yearly total, while March has the fewest (5.8%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 44.2% of truck crashes, vs 44.4% for Michigan.
More truck crashes happen at 10–11 am than at any other hour (9.7%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 25.9% of truck crashes, compared with 17.7% in Michigan.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-31 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (3). Next come SR-72 (2), CR-633 Silver Lake Rd (1) and CR-BEITNER Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 25 crashes, 4.8% of the total, against 3.2% across Michigan.
Their busiest month is August, with 20% of garbage-truck crashes.
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 0.0 deaths compared with 3.7 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 49685 fleets
- Plan February schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Grand Traverse County.
- Check whether your routes use US-31, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Waste haulers: August is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Grand Traverse County.
- 25.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Michigan; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Grand Traverse County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-31 | 3 |
| SR-72 | 2 |
| CR-633 Silver Lake Rd | 1 |
| CR-BEITNER Rd | 1 |
| CR-SOUTH Long Lake Rd | 1 |
| CR-ZIMMER Rd | 1 |
| SR-22 | 1 |
| US-41 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Grand Traverse County) |
|---|---|
| US-31 | 108 |
| Garfield | 45 |
| South Airport | 28 |
| Division | 14 |
| Mile | 14 |
| US-131 | 12 |
| Beitner | 12 |
| Grandview | 10 |
ZIP 49685 at a glance
| Population | 21,308 |
| Density | 152 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $84,590 |
| Median home value | $356,012 |
| Home ownership | 79% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Grand Traverse 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 | 25 | — | 1.3 |
| 2000s | 32 | +28% | 1.7 |
| 2010s | 30 | -6% | 1.3 |
| 2020s | 49 | +64% | 1.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 25 a year in the 1990s and 49 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 1.5 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 49685
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 49685?
Since 2015, 518 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Grand Traverse County (153 injured, 18 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 49685?
US-31 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 49685 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 49685?
Truck crashes in Grand Traverse County peak in February, with 10.0% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 49685?
Since 2015, Grand Traverse County has reported 25 garbage-truck crashes, or 4.8% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 49685 compare with Michigan?
Grand Traverse County records 45.7 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 52.4 across Michigan.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 49685?
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.