ZIP 50401 (Mason City, IA) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 50401: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Cerro Gordo 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
8 of 387 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Cerro Gordo County compares with Iowa
Cerro Gordo County against Iowa and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Cerro Gordo County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Cerro Gordo County | Iowa | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 75.5 | 68.1 | 49.7 | 1.1× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.4 | same |
| Injuries per crash | 0.31 | 0.41 | 0.49 | 24% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.0% | 2.2% | 2.3% | 9% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 30.9% | 18.7% | 6.2% | 1.7× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.8% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 22.1% | 15.1% | 13.8% | 1.5× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 55.8% | 45.4% | 41.9% | 1.2× the state |
| After dark | 28.1% | 23.1% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Compared with Iowa, Cerro Gordo County is lower on injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It runs above Iowa on crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am).
The headline for Cerro Gordo County: 30.9% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 18.7% in Iowa.
Overview
Since 2015, 387 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Cerro Gordo County. They injured 126 people and killed 12.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 11 days.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 15.0% of the yearly total, while September has the fewest (3.9%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 55.8% of truck crashes, against 45.4% across Iowa.
By time of day, 10–11 am stands out with 10.6% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 30.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Iowa: 18.7%).
Where crashes happen
US-18 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 50401 with 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: CR-S26/HICKORY Ave (1), I-35 (1) and S Carolina Ave (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 8 of the truck crashes here, or 2.1%, compared with 2.2% in Iowa.
Route planning tips for ZIP 50401 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along US-18; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 25.8% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Iowa; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- 30.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above Iowa; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Cerro Gordo County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-18 | 3 |
| CR-S26/HICKORY Ave | 1 |
| I-35 | 1 |
| S Carolina Ave | 1 |
| SR-122 | 1 |
| US-65 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Cerro Gordo County) |
|---|---|
| US-18 | 8 |
| US-65 | 8 |
| Interstate 35/I 35 | 6 |
| I-35 | 5 |
| 300Th St | 5 |
| 150Th St | 4 |
| Ramp Us 18 W To I 35 | 3 |
| Mm I 35 | 3 |
ZIP 50401 at a glance
| Population | 28,703 |
| Density | 75 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $66,072 |
| Median home value | $145,892 |
| Home ownership | 66% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Cerro Gordo 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 | 14 | — | 0.8 |
| 2000s | 27 | +92% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 29 | +7% | 1.3 |
| 2020s | 30 | +5% | 0.6 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 14 to 30. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 1.0 a year in 2016–19 and 0.6 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 50401
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 50401?
Cerro Gordo County has had 387 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 126 people and killing 12.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 50401?
US-18 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 50401 since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 50401?
Truck crashes in Cerro Gordo County peak in January, with 15.0% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 50401?
Since 2015, Cerro Gordo County has reported 8 garbage-truck crashes, or 2.1% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 50401 compare with Iowa?
Cerro Gordo County records 75.5 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 68.1 across Iowa.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 50401?
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.