ZIP 26542 (Masontown, WV) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 26542: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Preston 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 of 227 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Preston County compares with West Virginia
Preston County against West Virginia and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Preston County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Preston County | West Virginia | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 57.4 | 57.6 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 1.9 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 54% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.42 | 0.45 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.9% | 1.1% | 2.3% | 15% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 25.1% | 8.1% | 6.2% | 3.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 20.5% | 20.9% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 32.1% | 24.8% | 13.8% | 1.3× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 47.0% | 41.7% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 28.8% | 26.6% | 24.8% | 1.1× the state |
Compared with West Virginia, Preston County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes and garbage-truck share. It runs above West Virginia on on snow, slush or ice, in rain, sleet or snow and winter months (nov–mar).
Preston County at a glance: 25.1% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 8.1% in West Virginia.
Overview
Police reported 227 crashes involving commercial trucks in Preston County since 2015: 94 people were injured and 4 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 19 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in March (12.8% of the year) and are lowest in September (5.3%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 47.0% of truck crashes, against 41.7% across West Virginia.
More truck crashes happen at 4–5 am than at any other hour (7.0%).
Road surface: 25.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (West Virginia: 8.1%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-68 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (5). It is followed by US-119 (3), CR-857 Cheat Rd (1) and CR-857 Hartman Run Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
2 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 0.9% share (West Virginia: 1.1%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 26542 fleets
- Build extra time into March routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along I-68; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- 25.1% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above West Virginia; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- 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 Preston County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-68 | 5 |
| US-119 | 3 |
| CR-857 Cheat Rd | 1 |
| CR-857 Hartman Run Rd | 1 |
| I-81 | 1 |
| Listravia Ave | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Preston County) |
|---|---|
| I-68 | 11 |
| I-68 Mp 19 | 7 |
| I-68 - Mp 19 | 6 |
| I-68 - Mp 23 | 6 |
| Us Rt 50 | 5 |
| I-68 Mp 16 | 4 |
| I-68 Mp 22 | 4 |
| I-68 Mp 30 | 4 |
ZIP 26542 at a glance
| Population | 2,067 |
| Density | 22 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $54,375 |
| Median home value | $145,558 |
| Home ownership | 86% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Preston 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 | 2 | — | 0.5 |
| 2000s | 20 | +744% | 0.9 |
| 2010s | 20 | +2% | 0.2 |
| 2020s | 17 | -13% | 0.2 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 2 to 17. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 0.2 a year in 2016–19, 0.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 26542
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 26542?
Preston County has had 227 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 94 people and killing 4.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 26542?
Since 2015, I-68 has had the most fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 26542: 5.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 26542?
March has the most truck crashes in Preston County, 12.8% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 26542?
2 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Preston County since 2015, 0.9% of all truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 26542 compared with West Virginia?
Per 100,000 residents, Preston County has 57.4 truck crashes a year; West Virginia has 57.6.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 26542?
The free Route Planner takes your stops and returns a route risk score, safer alternatives and low-bridge warnings.
2026 is a partial year. Updated October 2026.