ZIP 56055 (Lake Crystal, MN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 56055: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Blue Earth 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
7 of 358 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Blue Earth County compares with Minnesota
Blue Earth County against Minnesota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Blue Earth County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Blue Earth County | Minnesota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 42.8 | 39.0 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.5 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 1.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.33 | 0.37 | 0.49 | 11% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.1% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 25% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 19.8% | 25.6% | 6.2% | 22% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 29.1% | 27.0% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 16.5% | 19.1% | 13.8% | 13% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.1% | 46.2% | 41.9% | 11% below the state |
| After dark | 17.4% | 20.3% | 24.8% | 14% below the state |
Blue Earth County sits below Minnesota on injuries per crash, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and morning rush (6–10 am).
What stands out in Blue Earth County: December 12.0% of truck crashes happen in December, more than any other month.
Overview
Police reported 358 crashes involving commercial trucks in Blue Earth County since 2015: 125 people were injured and 15 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 12 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in December (12.0% of the year) and are lowest in April (4.2%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 41.1% of truck crashes, vs 46.2% for Minnesota.
The busiest hour is 8–9 am, with 12.0% of truck crashes.
19.8% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 25.6% across Minnesota.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 56055 since 2015 were spread across roads: SR-60 (2), US-169 (2), CR-50 535Th Ave (1) and US-14 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 7 crashes, 2.0% of the total, against 2.8% across Minnesota.
Route planning tips for ZIP 56055 fleets
- Plan December schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Blue Earth County.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 29.1% of truck crashes here, more than Minnesota; adjust start times where you can.
- 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 Blue Earth County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-60 | 2 |
| US-169 | 2 |
| CR-50 535Th Ave | 1 |
| US-14 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Blue Earth County) |
|---|---|
| Usth 14 | 47 |
| Usth 169 | 45 |
| Mnth 60 | 29 |
| Mnth 22 | 25 |
| Hwy | 10 |
| Mnth 30 | 9 |
| 3Rd Ave | 8 |
| N Riverfront Dr | 7 |
ZIP 56055 at a glance
| Population | 3,898 |
| Density | 13 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $90,987 |
| Median home value | $226,202 |
| Home ownership | 86% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Blue Earth 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 | 8 | — | 1.3 |
| 2000s | 23 | +191% | 1.2 |
| 2010s | 30 | +27% | 1.1 |
| 2020s | 27 | -8% | 1.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 8 a year in the 1990s and 27 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.5 a year in 2016–19, 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 56055
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 56055?
Since 2015, 358 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Blue Earth County (125 injured, 15 killed).
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 56055?
December has the most truck crashes in Blue Earth County, 12.0% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 56055?
7 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Blue Earth County since 2015, 2.0% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 56055 compared with Minnesota?
Per 100,000 residents, Blue Earth County has 42.8 truck crashes a year; Minnesota has 39.0.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 56055?
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.