ZIP 27278 (Hillsborough, NC) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 27278: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Orange 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
15 of 1,142 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Orange County compares with North Carolina
Orange County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Orange County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Orange County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 63.0 | 61.3 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 16% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.56 | 0.66 | 0.49 | 15% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.2% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 52% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 4.7% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 2.7× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.3% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.6% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 1.2× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 44.6% | 41.0% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 24.7% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Compared with North Carolina, Orange County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: on snow, slush or ice, in rain, sleet or snow and winter months (nov–mar).
What stands out in Orange County: 4.7% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 1.7% in North Carolina.
Overview
Police reported 1,142 crashes involving commercial trucks in Orange County since 2015: 655 people were injured and 22 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 4 days.
When crashes happen
February has the most truck crashes, 10.3% of the yearly total, while December has the fewest (6.5%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 44.6% of truck crashes, vs 41.0% for North Carolina.
By time of day, 8–9 am stands out with 7.4% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 4.7% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 27278 is I-85, with 4 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. Next come I-40 (2), SR-86 (2) and US-501 (2).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 15 crashes, 1.3% of the total, against 2.6% across North Carolina.
Route planning tips for ZIP 27278 fleets
- Build extra time into February routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Check whether your routes use I-85, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- 4.7% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above North Carolina; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
About the data
Crash counts come from the FMCSA crash file (police-reported crashes involving trucks over 10,000 lb); fatal-crash locations come from NHTSA FARS. Text on this page states only what these numbers show.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Orange County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-85 | 4 |
| I-40 | 2 |
| SR-86 | 2 |
| US-501 | 2 |
| US-70 | 2 |
| None | 1 |
| SR-1177 | 1 |
| SR-157 | 1 |
| SR-57 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Orange County) |
|---|---|
| E Franklin St | 9 |
| Mt Carmel Church Rd | 4 |
| S Columbia St | 4 |
| Cornelius St | 3 |
| Pittsboro St | 3 |
| S Churton St | 3 |
| S Estes Dr | 3 |
| Smith Level Rd | 3 |
ZIP 27278 at a glance
| Population | 27,925 |
| Density | 104 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $105,887 |
| Median home value | $413,634 |
| Home ownership | 78% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Orange 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 | 44 | — | 1.7 |
| 2000s | 58 | +30% | 1.1 |
| 2010s | 81 | +42% | 1.2 |
| 2020s | 97 | +20% | 2.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 44 to 97. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 1.5 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 2.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 27278
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 27278?
1,142 truck crashes have been reported in Orange County since 2015, with 22 deaths and 655 injuries.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 27278?
I-85 had 4 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 27278 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 27278?
The worst month is February: 10.3% of truck crashes in Orange County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 27278?
Since 2015, Orange County has reported 15 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.3% of its truck crashes.
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 27278 compared with North Carolina?
Per 100,000 residents, Orange County has 63.0 truck crashes a year; North Carolina has 61.3.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 27278?
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.