Rutherfordton, NC truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Rutherfordton: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Rutherfordton and Rutherford County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Rutherford County numbers.
Where fatal truck crashes happened
Risk scorecard
Key findings
Snapshot
Crashes by month
Garbage trucks vs all trucks
2 of 309 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Rutherford County compares with North Carolina
Rutherford County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Rutherford County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Rutherford County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 39.4 | 61.3 | 49.7 | 36% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.8 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 1.1× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.58 | 0.66 | 0.49 | 12% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.7% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 73% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.4% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 18% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 23.6% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 10.2% | 10.5% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 37.3% | 41.0% | 41.9% | 9% below the state |
| After dark | 17.2% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 15% below the state |
Rutherford County has lower values than North Carolina for crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes.
What stands out in Rutherford County: 1 in 143 garbage-truck share of crashes is 0.7%, against 2.6% for North Carolina.
Overview
Rutherford County has recorded 309 truck crashes since 2015, with 180 people injured and 9 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 14 days.
Only 117 truck crashes were reported in Rutherfordton since 2015; patterns below come from Rutherford County as a whole.
When crashes happen
September has the most truck crashes, 13.3% of the yearly total, while February has the fewest (4.9%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 37.3% of truck crashes, against 41.0% across North Carolina.
The busiest hour is 10–11 am, with 10.4% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 1.4% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
Roads with fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Rutherfordton since 2015: US-64 (2), US-74 (2), Ssr-1510 Hudlow Rd (1), US-221 (1) and US-74A (1). No single road stands out.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 2 of the truck crashes here, or 0.6%, compared with 2.6% in North Carolina.
Route planning tips for Rutherfordton fleets
- Review driver schedules for September, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Rutherford County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-64 | 2 |
| US-74 | 2 |
| Ssr-1510 Hudlow Rd | 1 |
| US-221 | 1 |
| US-74A | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Rutherford County) |
|---|---|
| College Ave | 6 |
| Railroad Ave | 5 |
| College Avenue | 5 |
| S Broadway St | 4 |
| W Main St | 3 |
| Withrow Rd | 3 |
| Buffalo Creek Rd | 2 |
| Charlotte Rd | 2 |
Rutherfordton at a glance
| Population | 3,718 |
| Land area | 4.1 sq mi |
| Density | 896 per sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 28160) | $40,868 |
| Median home value (ZIP 28160) | $178,444 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Rutherford 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 | 18 | — | 1.4 |
| 2000s | 26 | +44% | 1.0 |
| 2010s | 28 | +5% | 0.7 |
| 2020s | 24 | -14% | 1.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 18 a year in the 1990s and 24 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 0.8 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Rutherfordton
How many truck crashes happen in Rutherfordton?
Since 2015, 309 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Rutherford County (180 injured, 9 killed).
When do most truck crashes happen in Rutherfordton?
Truck crashes in Rutherford County peak in September, with 13.3% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in Rutherfordton?
Garbage trucks were involved in 2 reported crashes in Rutherford County since 2015 (0.6% of truck crashes).
How does Rutherfordton compare with North Carolina for truck crashes?
Rutherford County records 39.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 61.3 across North Carolina.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in Rutherfordton?
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.