ZIP 08840 (Metuchen, NJ) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 08840: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Middlesex 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
2.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 1.2 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Middlesex County compares with New Jersey
Middlesex County against New Jersey and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Middlesex County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Middlesex County | New Jersey | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 86.6 | 56.6 | 49.7 | 1.5× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.2 | 1.6 | 3.4 | 25% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.56 | 0.58 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.4% | 3.6% | 2.3% | 34% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.8% | 3.3% | 6.2% | 16% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.8% | 26.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.4% | 13.7% | 13.8% | 10% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.2% | 40.9% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 20.3% | 19.9% | 24.8% | same |
Middlesex County sits below New Jersey on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher crashes per 100k residents / yr.
The headline for ZIP 08840: I-95 15 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 08840.
Overview
Middlesex County has recorded 9,132 truck crashes since 2015, with 5,085 people injured and 119 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 2 truck crashes a day.
When crashes happen
The worst month is October with 10.1% of truck crashes; the quietest is April at 7.4%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 41.2% of truck crashes, vs 40.9% for New Jersey.
By time of day, 12–1 pm stands out with 7.8% of truck crashes.
2.8% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 3.3% across New Jersey.
Where crashes happen
I-95 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 08840 with 15 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: US-9 (8), US-1 (7) and SR-440 (5).
Garbage & waste trucks
210 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.3% share (New Jersey: 3.6%).
Their busiest month is February, with 10% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 2.0 deaths per 100 crashes, against 1.2 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 08840 fleets
- Build extra time into October routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to I-95 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Waste haulers: February is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Middlesex County.
- 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 Middlesex County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-95 | 15 |
| US-9 | 8 |
| US-1 | 7 |
| SR-440 | 5 |
| I-287 | 3 |
| I-78 | 3 |
| US-130 | 3 |
| SR-35 | 2 |
| 444 Gsp | 1 |
| Blair Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Middlesex County) |
|---|---|
| I-95, N.J. Turnpike | 1,496 |
| US-1 | 852 |
| US-9 | 578 |
| I-287 | 477 |
| Nj 18 | 355 |
| I-95 | 313 |
| I-95 Secondary | 305 |
| US-130 | 251 |
ZIP 08840 at a glance
| Population | 18,206 |
| Density | 2,192 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $146,635 |
| Median home value | $559,193 |
| Home ownership | 76% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Middlesex 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 | 253 | — | 8.5 |
| 2000s | 895 | +254% | 7.1 |
| 2010s | 747 | -17% | 6.6 |
| 2020s | 745 | -0% | 7.4 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 253 a year in the 1990s and 745 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 6.8 a year in 2016–19 and 7.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 08840
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 08840?
Since 2015, 9,132 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Middlesex County (5,085 injured, 119 killed).
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 08840?
I-95 had 15 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 08840 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 08840?
The worst month is October: 10.1% of truck crashes in Middlesex County happen then.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 08840?
210 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Middlesex County since 2015, 2.3% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 08840 compare with New Jersey for truck crashes?
The yearly rate is 86.6 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Middlesex County, vs 56.6 for New Jersey.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 08840?
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.