ZIP 81501 (Grand Junction, CO) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 81501: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Mesa 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
13 of 390 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Mesa County compares with Colorado
Mesa County against Colorado and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Mesa County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Mesa County | Colorado | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 19.7 | 32.6 | 49.7 | 40% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 5.1 | 5.1 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.31 | 0.32 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.1% | 2.8% | 2.3% | 1.1× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 13.1% | 14.8% | 6.2% | 11% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 28.3% | 25.7% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.0% | 13.2% | 13.8% | 9% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.4% | 43.5% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 28.9% | 22.4% | 24.8% | 1.3× the state |
Mesa County has lower values than Colorado for crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share, morning rush (6–10 am) and after dark.
ZIP 81501 at a glance: I-70 most fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 81501: 3 since 2015.
Overview
Since 2015, 390 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Mesa County. They injured 122 people and killed 18.
That averages about one truck crash every 11 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in August (11.3% of the year) and are lowest in March (6.7%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 41.4% of truck crashes, against 43.5% across Colorado.
More truck crashes happen at 9–10 am than at any other hour (8.2%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 13.1% of truck crashes, compared with 14.8% in Colorado.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-70 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (3). It is followed by 23 Rd (1), CR-30 Rd (1) and CR-S Broadway (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 13 of the truck crashes here, or 3.3%, compared with 2.8% in Colorado.
Route planning tips for ZIP 81501 fleets
- Review driver schedules for August, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Where you can, review stops along I-70; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Morning starts matter: 28.3% of truck crashes fall between 6 and 10 am, higher than Colorado.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Mesa County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-70 | 3 |
| 23 Rd | 1 |
| CR-30 Rd | 1 |
| CR-S Broadway | 1 |
| River Rd | 1 |
| SR-141 | 1 |
| SR-70 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Mesa County) |
|---|---|
| I 70 At Mp 44 | 5 |
| I-70 | 4 |
| I70 At Mp 50 | 4 |
| River Rd At Railroad Blvd | 3 |
| Rd At Patterson Rd | 3 |
| Rd At North Ave | 3 |
| Railroad Blvd At River Rd | 3 |
| I70 At Mp 32 | 3 |
ZIP 81501 at a glance
| Population | 24,011 |
| Density | 1,069 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $53,666 |
| Median home value | $315,475 |
| Home ownership | 47% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Mesa 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 | — | 1.3 |
| 2000s | 42 | +48% | 1.5 |
| 2010s | 30 | -29% | 1.4 |
| 2020s | 36 | +22% | 1.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 29 a year in the 1990s and 36 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 1.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 81501
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 81501?
Mesa County has had 390 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 122 people and killing 18.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 81501?
NHTSA data shows I-70 with 3 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 81501 since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 81501?
August has the most truck crashes in Mesa County, 11.3% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 81501?
13 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Mesa County since 2015, 3.3% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 81501 compare with Colorado?
Per 100,000 residents, Mesa County has 19.7 truck crashes a year; Colorado has 32.6.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 81501?
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.