ZIP 52638 (Middletown, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 52638: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Des Moines 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
5 of 170 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Des Moines County compares with Iowa
Des Moines County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Des Moines County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Des Moines County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 37.4 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 45% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.8 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.37 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 10% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.2% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 12.7% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 32% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 23.4% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 9.5% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 37% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 48.7% | 45.4% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 15.8% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 31% below the state |
Des Moines County sits below Iowa on crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and on snow, slush or ice. It runs above Iowa on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and winter months (nov–mar).
The headline for Des Moines County: November the month with the most truck crashes: 14.7% of the year's total.
Overview
Police reported 170 crashes involving commercial trucks in Des Moines County since 2015: 66 people were injured and 6 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 25 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in November (14.7% of the year) and are lowest in April (4.7%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 48.7% of truck crashes, against 45.4% across Iowa.
By time of day, 12–1 pm stands out with 11.8% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 12.7% of truck crashes, compared with 18.7% in Iowa.
Where crashes happen
Since 2015, fatal crashes with a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 52638 happened on US-34 (2), Mu-Isabella Ave (1) and SR-16 (1); no road leads clearly.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 5 of the truck crashes here, or 2.9%, compared with 2.2% in Iowa.
Route planning tips for ZIP 52638 fleets
- Review driver schedules for November, the month with the most truck crashes.
- 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 Des Moines County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-34 | 2 |
| Mu-Isabella Ave | 1 |
| SR-16 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Des Moines County) |
|---|---|
| US-61 | 7 |
| US-34 | 4 |
| Agency St And Us 61 | 4 |
| Mason Rd And Us 61 | 3 |
| Henry Des Moines Ave And Us 34 | 3 |
| Division St And Central Ave | 3 |
| Central Ave | 2 |
| Dmc 99 Signed Route Measuring | 2 |
ZIP 52638 at a glance
| Population | 508 |
| Density | 6 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $59,167 |
| Median home value | $149,968 |
| Home ownership | 87% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Des Moines 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 | 11 | — | 1.5 |
| 2000s | 15 | +38% | 0.6 |
| 2010s | 13 | -12% | 0.4 |
| 2020s | 15 | +12% | 0.6 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 11 a year in the 1990s and 15 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.8 a year in 2016–19, 0.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 52638
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 52638?
170 truck crashes have been reported in Des Moines County since 2015, with 6 deaths and 66 injuries.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 52638?
The worst month is November: 14.7% of truck crashes in Des Moines County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 52638?
Since 2015, Des Moines County has reported 5 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.9% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 52638 compare with Iowa?
Des Moines County records 37.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 68.1 across Iowa.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 52638?
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.