ZIP 59044 (Laurel, MT) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 59044: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Yellowstone 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
14 of 668 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Yellowstone County compares with Montana
Yellowstone County against Montana and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Yellowstone County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Yellowstone County | Montana | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 33.4 | 64.3 | 49.7 | 48% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.37 | 0.34 | 0.49 | 1.1× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.2% | 0.9% | 2.3% | 2.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 32.5% | 39.4% | 6.2% | 18% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.9% | 22.9% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 20.9% | 20.6% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 53.4% | 54.3% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 26.2% | 30.8% | 24.8% | 15% below the state |
Yellowstone County has lower values than Montana for crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and after dark. It stands out for higher injuries per crash, garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
Yellowstone County at a glance: 1 in 45 crashes involve a garbage truck (14 since 2015), vs 0.9% across Montana.
Overview
Yellowstone County has recorded 668 truck crashes since 2015, with 245 people injured and 24 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 6 days.
When crashes happen
February has the most truck crashes, 14.4% of the yearly total, while June has the fewest (5.1%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 53.4% of truck crashes, against 54.3% across Montana.
More truck crashes happen at 9–10 am than at any other hour (8.4%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 32.5% of truck crashes, compared with 39.4% in Montana.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 59044 since 2015 were spread across roads: CR-SOUTH Frontage Road (2), I-90 (2), US-310 (2), I-94 (1) and Lr-South Frontage Road (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 14 crashes, 2.1% of the total, against 0.9% across Montana.
Route planning tips for ZIP 59044 fleets
- Build extra time into February routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Morning starts matter: 24.9% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Montana.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Yellowstone County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| CR-SOUTH Frontage Road | 2 |
| I-90 | 2 |
| US-310 | 2 |
| I-94 | 1 |
| Lr-South Frontage Road | 1 |
| S 72nd St W | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Yellowstone County) |
|---|---|
| Johnson Ln | 2 |
| Mile 460.4 I-90W | 2 |
| Mm 458.2 I-90 | 2 |
| Mm455.7 I-90E | 2 |
| Mm468.5 I90W | 2 |
| Mm47.7 I-94 | 2 |
| An21317 | 1 |
| Fin6193 | 1 |
ZIP 59044 at a glance
| Population | 12,302 |
| Density | 27 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $87,648 |
| Median home value | $348,189 |
| Home ownership | 72% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Yellowstone 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 | 1 | — | 1.6 |
| 2000s | 50 | +6956% | 1.4 |
| 2010s | 53 | +5% | 1.6 |
| 2020s | 56 | +6% | 2.6 |
In the 1990s about 1 truck crash a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 56. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 1.8 a year in 2016–19 and 2.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 59044
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 59044?
Since 2015, 668 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Yellowstone County (245 injured, 24 killed).
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 59044?
Truck crashes in Yellowstone County peak in February, with 14.4% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 59044?
Garbage trucks were involved in 14 reported crashes in Yellowstone County since 2015 (2.1% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 59044 compared with Montana?
Per 100,000 residents, Yellowstone County has 33.4 truck crashes a year; Montana has 64.3.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 59044?
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.