Heidelberg, TX truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes in Heidelberg: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes in Heidelberg and Hidalgo County, dangerous roads, seasonality and route safety data for fleets. Patterns use Hidalgo County numbers.
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 2.1 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Hidalgo County compares with Texas
Hidalgo County against Texas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Hidalgo County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Hidalgo County | Texas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 29.2 | 62.9 | 49.7 | 54% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 49% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.95 | 0.58 | 0.49 | 1.6× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.1% | 1.1% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.4% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 75% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 17.8% | 22.6% | 23.7% | 22% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 8.6% | 11.3% | 13.8% | 24% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.1% | 40.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 21.2% | 27.0% | 24.8% | 22% below the state |
Compared with Texas, Hidalgo County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. It runs above Texas on injuries per crash.
The headline for Heidelberg: US-281 3 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of Heidelberg.
Overview
Hidalgo County has recorded 3,121 truck crashes since 2015, with 2,969 people injured and 65 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 1 truck crash a day.
Heidelberg had 0 reported truck crashes since 2015, too few for reliable patterns, so the charts and findings on this page use Hidalgo County numbers.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 9.3% of the yearly total, while July has the fewest (6.7%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 43.1% of truck crashes, vs 40.8% for Texas.
More truck crashes happen at 2–3 pm than at any other hour (8.5%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.4% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in Texas.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-281 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (3). Next come Fm 491 (2), I-2 (2) and Fm 1015 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 34 crashes, 1.1% of the total, against 1.1% across Texas.
Garbage-truck crashes peak in September (15% of them).
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 0.0 deaths compared with 2.1 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for Heidelberg fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Hidalgo County.
- Where you can, review stops along US-281; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at September schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- 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 Hidalgo County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-281 | 3 |
| Fm 491 | 2 |
| I-2 | 2 |
| Fm 1015 | 1 |
| Fm 1425 Mile 2 Rd | 1 |
| Westgate Dr | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Hidalgo County) |
|---|---|
| S 9901 Cage Blvd | 19 |
| Monte Cristo Rd | 15 |
| Military Hwy | 14 |
| E 1300 Monte Cristo Rd | 14 |
| Alamo Rd | 11 |
| S 9900 Cage Blvd | 9 |
| Moorefield Rd | 8 |
| N 4600 Cage Blvd | 8 |
Heidelberg at a glance
| Land area | 2.6 sq mi |
| Median household income (ZIP 78570) | $41,965 |
| Median home value (ZIP 78570) | $94,931 |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Hidalgo 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 | 178 | — | 5.6 |
| 2000s | 196 | +10% | 6.6 |
| 2010s | 199 | +2% | 4.1 |
| 2020s | 296 | +48% | 5.4 |
In the 1990s about 178 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 296. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 4.2 a year in 2016–19, 5.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby places
Questions fleets ask about Heidelberg
How many truck accidents are there in Heidelberg?
Since 2015, 3,121 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Hidalgo County (2,969 injured, 65 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in Heidelberg?
US-281 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of Heidelberg since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in Heidelberg?
Truck crashes in Hidalgo County peak in March, with 9.3% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in Heidelberg?
Garbage trucks were involved in 34 reported crashes in Hidalgo County since 2015 (1.1% of truck crashes).
How do truck crashes in Heidelberg compare with Texas?
Per 100,000 residents, Hidalgo County has 29.2 truck crashes a year; Texas has 62.9.
How can I plan a safer truck route in Heidelberg?
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.