ZIP 54545 (Manitowish Waters, WI) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 54545: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Vilas 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
4 of 74 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Vilas County compares with Wisconsin
Vilas County against Wisconsin and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Vilas County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Vilas County | Wisconsin | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 26.2 | 42.6 | 49.7 | 38% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.4 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 59% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.38 | 0.46 | 0.49 | 17% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 5.8% | 2.7% | 2.3% | 2.1× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 31.9% | 13.4% | 6.2% | 2.4× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 30.4% | 26.9% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 13.0% | 16.5% | 13.8% | 21% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 49.3% | 44.9% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 10.1% | 20.9% | 24.8% | 51% below the state |
Vilas County sits below Wisconsin on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and injuries per crash. Where it is higher: garbage-truck share, on snow, slush or ice and morning rush (6–10 am).
Vilas County at a glance: 31.9% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 13.4% across Wisconsin.
Overview
Vilas County has recorded 74 truck crashes since 2015, with 27 people injured and 2 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 58 days.
When crashes happen
The worst month is February with 16.2% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 2.7%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 49.3% of truck crashes, vs 44.9% for Wisconsin.
More truck crashes happen at 3–4 pm than at any other hour (12.2%).
Road surface: 31.9% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Wisconsin: 13.4%).
Where crashes happen
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 54545 since 2015 were spread across roads: US-51 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
4 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 5.4% share (Wisconsin: 2.7%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 54545 fleets
- Plan February schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Vilas County.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 30.4% of truck crashes here, more than Wisconsin; adjust start times where you can.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 31.9% of truck crashes here, more than Wisconsin; schedule winter checks early.
- 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 Vilas County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-51 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Vilas County) |
|---|---|
| Ush 045 | 10 |
| Ush 051 | 10 |
| Sth 070 | 9 |
| Sth 017 | 5 |
| Cth | 3 |
| Cth M | 3 |
| Sth 047 | 3 |
| Cth K | 2 |
ZIP 54545 at a glance
| Population | 947 |
| Density | 8 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $80,625 |
| Median home value | $653,155 |
| Home ownership | 82% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Vilas 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 | 8 | — | 0.2 |
| 2000s | 9 | +17% | 0.7 |
| 2010s | 7 | -25% | 0.3 |
| 2020s | 6 | -8% | 0.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 8 a year in the 1990s and 6 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 0.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 54545
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 54545?
Since 2015, 74 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Vilas County (27 injured, 2 killed).
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 54545?
Truck crashes in Vilas County peak in February, with 16.2% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 54545?
4 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Vilas County since 2015, 5.4% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 54545 compare with Wisconsin for truck crashes?
Vilas County records 26.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 42.6 across Wisconsin.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 54545?
Paste your stops into the free CurbWaste Route Planner: it scores your route against fatal-crash locations, suggests safer alternatives and flags low bridges.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.