ZIP 55044 (Lakeville, MN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 55044: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Dakota 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 2.2 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Dakota County compares with Minnesota
Dakota County against Minnesota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Dakota County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Dakota County | Minnesota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 35.4 | 39.0 | 49.7 | 9% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.2 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 27% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.29 | 0.37 | 0.49 | 22% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.5% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.2× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 20.1% | 25.6% | 6.2% | 21% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 30.1% | 27.0% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 17.8% | 19.1% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.2% | 46.2% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 19.7% | 20.3% | 24.8% | same |
Dakota County sits below Minnesota on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
What stands out in ZIP 55044: I-35 most fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 55044: 5 since 2015.
Overview
Police reported 1,906 crashes involving commercial trucks in Dakota County since 2015: 599 people were injured and 40 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 2 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is December with 10.5% of truck crashes; the quietest is March at 6.7%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 44.2% of truck crashes, against 46.2% across Minnesota.
More truck crashes happen at 11 am–12 pm than at any other hour (8.4%).
Road surface: 20.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Minnesota: 25.6%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-35 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (5). Next come Burnsville Pkwy (1), CR-21 Eagle Creek Ave (1) and CR-23 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
73 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.8% share (Minnesota: 2.8%).
Their busiest month is September, with 16% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 0.0 deaths per 100 crashes, against 2.2 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 55044 fleets
- Review driver schedules for December, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check whether your routes use I-35, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in September; review collection routes for that month.
- Morning starts matter: 30.1% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Minnesota.
- 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 Dakota County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-35 | 5 |
| Burnsville Pkwy | 1 |
| CR-21 Eagle Creek Ave | 1 |
| CR-23 | 1 |
| CR-31 Pilot Knob Rd | 1 |
| CR-46 | 1 |
| CR-86 30Th St W | 1 |
| I-35E | 1 |
| Murphy Lake Blvd | 1 |
| SR-13 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Dakota County) |
|---|---|
| Isth 494 | 135 |
| Usth 52 | 109 |
| I-35 | 76 |
| Mnth 13 | 53 |
| Mnth 55 | 49 |
| Coates Blvd | 35 |
| Cedar Ave | 31 |
| 160Th St | 30 |
ZIP 55044 at a glance
| Population | 64,762 |
| Density | 383 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $141,551 |
| Median home value | $489,311 |
| Home ownership | 88% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Dakota 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 | 29 | — | 3.1 |
| 2000s | 144 | +399% | 2.9 |
| 2010s | 158 | +10% | 2.5 |
| 2020s | 152 | -4% | 3.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 29 to 152. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 4.2 a year in 2016–19 and 3.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 55044
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 55044?
Since 2015, 1,906 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Dakota County (599 injured, 40 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 55044?
I-35 had 5 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 55044 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 55044?
Truck crashes in Dakota County peak in December, with 10.5% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 55044?
73 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Dakota County since 2015, 3.8% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 55044 compare with Minnesota?
The yearly rate is 35.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Dakota County, vs 39.0 for Minnesota.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 55044?
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.