ZIP 50046 (Cambridge, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 50046: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Story 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 3.8 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Story County compares with Iowa
Story County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Story County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Story County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 44.8 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 34% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.39 | 0.41 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.2% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 1.9× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 19.4% | 18.7% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.6% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 18.2% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.6% | 45.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 19.2% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 17% below the state |
Story County sits below Iowa on crashes per 100k residents / yr and after dark. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and in rain, sleet or snow.
What stands out in Story County: 1 in 24 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 4.2%, vs 2.2% in Iowa.
Overview
Police reported 535 crashes involving commercial trucks in Story County since 2015: 203 people were injured and 19 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 8 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (11.2% of the year) and are lowest in March (5.8%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 42.6% of truck crashes, vs 45.4% for Iowa.
By time of day, 4–5 pm stands out with 9.2% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 19.4% of truck crashes, compared with 18.7% in Iowa.
Where crashes happen
I-35 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 50046 with 5 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by US-30 (2) and CR-S27 650Th Ave (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
23 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 4.3% share (Iowa: 2.2%).
Garbage-truck crashes peak in May (17% of them).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 0.0, vs 3.8 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 50046 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Story County.
- Look at alternatives to I-35 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in May; review collection routes for that month.
- 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 Story County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-35 | 5 |
| US-30 | 2 |
| CR-S27 650Th Ave | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Story County) |
|---|---|
| I-35 | 43 |
| US-30 | 23 |
| Interstate 35/I 35 | 21 |
| US-69 | 11 |
| Ia 210 | 4 |
| Lincoln Way | 4 |
| Sb I-35 At 106Mm | 4 |
| US-65 | 4 |
ZIP 50046 at a glance
| Population | 1,554 |
| Density | 13 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $81,500 |
| Median home value | $231,956 |
| Home ownership | 86% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Story 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 | 14 | — | 1.4 |
| 2000s | 28 | +101% | 1.1 |
| 2010s | 38 | +34% | 0.6 |
| 2020s | 45 | +19% | 1.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 14 a year in the 1990s and 45 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 1.0 a year in 2016–19 and 1.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 50046
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 50046?
Story County has had 535 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 203 people and killing 19.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 50046?
I-35 had 5 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 50046 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 50046?
The worst month is January: 11.2% of truck crashes in Story County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 50046?
Garbage trucks were involved in 23 reported crashes in Story County since 2015 (4.3% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 50046 compared with Iowa?
Story County records 44.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 68.1 across Iowa.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 50046?
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.