Washburn County, WI truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Washburn 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
5 of 90 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Washburn County compares with Wisconsin
Washburn County against Wisconsin and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Washburn County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Washburn County | Wisconsin | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 43.9 | 42.6 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 29% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.57 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.9% | 2.7% | 2.3% | 1.8× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 15.8% | 13.4% | 6.2% | 1.2× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 31.7% | 26.9% | 23.7% | 1.2× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 21.9% | 16.5% | 13.8% | 1.3× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 42.7% | 44.9% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 20.7% | 20.9% | 24.8% | same |
Compared with Wisconsin, Washburn County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes. Where it is higher: injuries per crash, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
What stands out in Washburn County: 1 in 20 garbage-truck share of crashes is 4.9%, against 2.7% for Wisconsin.
Overview
Washburn County has recorded 90 truck crashes since 2015, with 49 people injured and 5 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 49 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is October with 15.6% of truck crashes; the quietest is August at 3.3%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 42.7% of truck crashes, vs 44.9% for Wisconsin.
The busiest hour is 7–8 am, with 11.1% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 15.8% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Wisconsin: 13.4%).
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes in Washburn County since 2015 were spread across roads: US-53 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 5 of the truck crashes here, or 5.6%, compared with 2.7% in Wisconsin.
Route planning tips for Washburn County fleets
- Plan October schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Washburn County.
- 31.7% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Wisconsin; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- 15.8% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Wisconsin; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Washburn County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (in Washburn County) |
|---|---|
| US-53 | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Washburn County) |
|---|---|
| Ush 053 | 36 |
| Ush 063 | 15 |
| Sth 070 | 6 |
| Sth 077 | 3 |
| Cth | 2 |
| Cth K | 2 |
| SR-063 | 2 |
| Bear Lake Rd | 1 |
Washburn County at a glance
| Population | 16,982 |
| Land area | 797.1 sq mi |
| Density | 21 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP average) | $65,604 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Washburn 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 | 6 | — | 0.5 |
| 2000s | 10 | +61% | 0.7 |
| 2010s | 6 | -46% | 0.2 |
| 2020s | 8 | +49% | 0.4 |
In the 1990s about 6 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 8. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.0 a year in 2016–19, 0.4 a year in 2020–24.
Cities, towns & communities in Washburn County
ZIP codes in Washburn County
Nearby counties
Questions fleets ask about Washburn County
How common are truck crashes in Washburn County?
Washburn County has had 90 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 49 people and killing 5.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Washburn County?
Truck crashes in Washburn County peak in October, with 15.6% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Washburn County?
Since 2015, Washburn County has reported 5 garbage-truck crashes, or 5.6% of its truck crashes.
How does Washburn County compare with Wisconsin for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 43.9 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Washburn County, vs 42.6 for Wisconsin.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Washburn 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.