ZIP 81526 (Palisade, CO) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 81526: 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 |
Compared with Colorado, Mesa County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and in rain, sleet or snow. It runs above Colorado on garbage-truck share, morning rush (6–10 am) and after dark.
What stands out in ZIP 81526: I-70 most fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 81526: 2 since 2015.
Overview
Mesa County has recorded 390 truck crashes since 2015, with 122 people injured and 18 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 11 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is August with 11.3% of truck crashes; the quietest is March at 6.7%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 41.4% of truck crashes, vs 43.5% for Colorado.
More truck crashes happen at 9–10 am than at any other hour (8.2%).
Road surface: 13.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Colorado: 14.8%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-70 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (2). It is followed by CR-30 Rd (1), SR-65 (1) and SR-70 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 13 crashes, 3.3% of the total, against 2.8% across Colorado.
Route planning tips for ZIP 81526 fleets
- Build extra time into August routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Check whether your routes use I-70, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- 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 | 2 |
| CR-30 Rd | 1 |
| SR-65 | 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 81526 at a glance
| Population | 5,559 |
| Density | 30 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $87,500 |
| Median home value | $505,680 |
| Home ownership | 76% |
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 81526
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 81526?
390 truck crashes have been reported in Mesa County since 2015, with 18 deaths and 122 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 81526?
NHTSA data shows I-70 with 2 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 81526 since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 81526?
Truck crashes in Mesa County peak in August, with 11.3% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 81526?
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 81526 compare with Colorado?
Mesa County records 19.7 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 32.6 across Colorado.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 81526?
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.