ZIP 57701 (Rapid City, SD) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 57701: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Pennington 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
10 of 399 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Pennington County compares with South Dakota
Pennington County against South Dakota and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Pennington County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Pennington County | South Dakota | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 29.1 | 42.0 | 49.7 | 31% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.0 | 5.2 | 3.4 | 42% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.10 | 0.13 | 0.49 | 23% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.4% | 1.6% | 2.3% | 1.5× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 28.8% | 28.6% | 6.2% | same |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.0% | 22.2% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 20.0% | 17.5% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 48.2% | 48.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 27.2% | 22.8% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Compared with South Dakota, Pennington County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share, in rain, sleet or snow and after dark.
What stands out in Pennington County: 1 in 41 of truck crashes here involve garbage trucks: 2.4%, vs 1.6% in South Dakota.
Overview
Pennington County has recorded 399 truck crashes since 2015, with 38 people injured and 11 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 11 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (11.8% of the year) and are lowest in February (5.3%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 48.2% of truck crashes, against 48.8% across South Dakota.
More truck crashes happen at 2–3 pm than at any other hour (8.8%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 28.8% of truck crashes, compared with 28.6% in South Dakota.
Where crashes happen
I-90 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 57701 with 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. Next come 5th St (1), CR-HWY 14-16 E (1) and Elk Vale Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
10 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.5% share (South Dakota: 1.6%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 57701 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along I-90; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 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 Pennington County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-90 | 4 |
| 5th St | 1 |
| CR-HWY 14-16 E | 1 |
| Elk Vale Rd | 1 |
| SR-44 | 1 |
| US-16 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Pennington County) |
|---|---|
| I-90 | 194 |
| US-16 | 39 |
| Sd Hwy 44 | 26 |
| Sd Hwy 79 | 16 |
| Ave | 7 |
| Sd Hwy 445 | 7 |
| Us Hwy 16 B | 5 |
| Cambell St | 4 |
ZIP 57701 at a glance
| Population | 45,795 |
| Density | 339 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $56,461 |
| Median home value | $253,157 |
| Home ownership | 61% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Pennington 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 | 23 | — | 0.7 |
| 2000s | 24 | +2% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 25 | +5% | 0.5 |
| 2020s | 42 | +67% | 1.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 23 a year in the 1990s and 42 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 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 57701
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 57701?
Since 2015, 399 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Pennington County (38 injured, 11 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 57701?
NHTSA data shows I-90 with 4 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 57701 since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 57701?
The worst month is January: 11.8% of truck crashes in Pennington County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 57701?
Since 2015, Pennington County has reported 10 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.5% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 57701 compare with South Dakota?
The yearly rate is 29.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Pennington County, vs 42.0 for South Dakota.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 57701?
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.