Milwaukee County, WI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Milwaukee County: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes, 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
0.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.2 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Milwaukee County compares with Wisconsin
Milwaukee County against Wisconsin and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Milwaukee County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Milwaukee County | Wisconsin | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 37.3 | 42.6 | 49.7 | 12% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.2 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 65% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.43 | 0.46 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.5% | 2.7% | 2.3% | 1.3× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 5.0% | 13.4% | 6.2% | 62% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.6% | 26.9% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.8% | 16.5% | 13.8% | 23% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.1% | 44.9% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 19.2% | 20.9% | 24.8% | 8% below the state |
Compared with Wisconsin, Milwaukee County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher garbage-truck share.
The headline for Milwaukee County: 1.8× yearly fatal truck crashes in Milwaukee County: 2.2 in 2016–19, 4.0 in 2020–24.
Overview
Since 2015, 3,996 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Milwaukee County. They injured 1,722 people and killed 48.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 1 truck crash every day.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (9.9% of the year) and are lowest in March (6.6%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 42.1% of truck crashes, against 44.9% across Wisconsin.
The busiest hour is 12–1 pm, with 8.8% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 5.0% of truck crashes, compared with 13.4% in Wisconsin.
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes in Milwaukee County since 2015 were spread across roads: I-43 (3), SR-100 (3), SR-145 (3), I-41 (2) and I-94 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
139 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.5% share (Wisconsin: 2.7%).
Their busiest month is February, with 12% of garbage-truck crashes.
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 0.0, vs 1.2 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for Milwaukee County fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in February; review collection routes for that month.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Milwaukee County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Milwaukee County) |
|---|---|
| I-43 | 3 |
| SR-100 | 3 |
| SR-145 | 3 |
| I-41 | 2 |
| I-94 | 2 |
| SR-181 | 2 |
| 13th St S | 1 |
| CR-G | 1 |
| CR-PP Good Hope Rd W | 1 |
| CR-U 76Th St S | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Milwaukee County) |
|---|---|
| I-041 | 915 |
| I-043 | 429 |
| I-094 | 167 |
| Sth 100 | 135 |
| Sth 145 | 59 |
| Parking Lot | 45 |
| Sth 190 | 43 |
| W Silver Spring Dr | 40 |
Milwaukee County at a glance
| Population | 924,740 |
| Land area | 241.5 sq mi |
| Density | 3,830 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $67,401 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Milwaukee 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 | 385 | — | 4.5 |
| 2000s | 420 | +9% | 3.0 |
| 2010s | 331 | -21% | 2.2 |
| 2020s | 318 | -4% | 4.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 385 to 318. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 2.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 4.0 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Milwaukee County
ZIP codes in Milwaukee County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Milwaukee County
How many truck crashes happen in Milwaukee County?
Since 2015, 3,996 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Milwaukee County (1,722 injured, 48 killed).
Which month has the most truck crashes in Milwaukee County?
The worst month is January: 9.9% of truck crashes in Milwaukee County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Milwaukee County?
Since 2015, Milwaukee County has reported 139 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.5% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in Milwaukee County compared with Wisconsin?
Per 100,000 residents, Milwaukee County has 37.3 truck crashes a year; Wisconsin has 42.6.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Milwaukee County?
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.