ZIP 50315 (Des Moines, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 50315: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Polk 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
1.1 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.4 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Polk County compares with Iowa
Polk County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Polk County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Polk County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 54.7 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 20% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.4 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 60% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.31 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 24% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.0% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 14.7% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 21% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.9% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 14.1% | 15.1% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.7% | 45.4% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 22.2% | 23.1% | 24.8% | same |
Polk County sits below Iowa on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. It runs above Iowa on garbage-truck share.
The headline for ZIP 50315: I-35 6 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 50315.
Overview
Police reported 3,327 crashes involving commercial trucks in Polk County since 2015: 1,035 people were injured and 47 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 1 truck crash a day.
When crashes happen
The worst month is February with 9.9% of truck crashes; the quietest is November at 6.7%.
November through March accounts for 42.7% of truck crashes here, compared with 45.4% in Iowa.
More truck crashes happen at 3–4 pm than at any other hour (7.8%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 14.7% of truck crashes, compared with 18.7% in Iowa.
Where crashes happen
I-35 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 50315 with 6 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. It is followed by I-80 (3), US-65 (3) and SR-163 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 100 crashes, 3.0% of the total, against 2.2% across Iowa.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in August (12%).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 1.1, vs 1.4 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 50315 fleets
- Plan February schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Polk County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-35; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in August; review collection routes for that month.
- 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 Polk County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-35 | 6 |
| I-80 | 3 |
| US-65 | 3 |
| SR-163 | 2 |
| SR-28 | 2 |
| SR-5 | 2 |
| 8th St Sw | 1 |
| CR-R56/NW 6Th Dr | 1 |
| E Army Post Rd | 1 |
| Grand Ave | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Polk County) |
|---|---|
| Interstate 35/I 35 | 44 |
| I-80 | 38 |
| I-35 | 29 |
| I-235 | 28 |
| US-65 | 21 |
| Blk I 80 | 19 |
| Blk I8035 | 15 |
| Interstate 235/I 235 Measuring | 15 |
ZIP 50315 at a glance
| Population | 34,816 |
| Density | 1,305 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $60,590 |
| Median home value | $173,049 |
| Home ownership | 62% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Polk 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 | 112 | — | 4.5 |
| 2000s | 212 | +90% | 4.1 |
| 2010s | 234 | +10% | 2.7 |
| 2020s | 301 | +29% | 4.2 |
In the 1990s about 112 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 301. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. NHTSA counts 2.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 4.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 50315
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 50315?
Since 2015, 3,327 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Polk County (1,035 injured, 47 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 50315?
Since 2015, I-35 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 50315: 6.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 50315?
Truck crashes in Polk County peak in February, with 9.9% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 50315?
Since 2015, Polk County has reported 100 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.0% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 50315 compare with Iowa for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Polk County has 54.7 truck crashes a year; Iowa has 68.1.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 50315?
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.