ZIP 28138 (Rockwell, NC) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 28138: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Rowan 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
5.2 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.1 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Rowan County compares with North Carolina
Rowan County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Rowan County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Rowan County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 86.2 | 61.3 | 49.7 | 1.4× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 16% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.64 | 0.66 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 4.0% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 1.5× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.7% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 1.6× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 22.9% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 12.0% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.3% | 41.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 25.2% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
Compared with North Carolina, Rowan County is lower on deaths per 100 crashes. It runs above North Carolina on crashes per 100k residents / yr, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
Rowan County at a glance: 2.7% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 1.7% in North Carolina.
Overview
Police reported 1,526 crashes involving commercial trucks in Rowan County since 2015: 990 people were injured and 36 were killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 3 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in May (10.4% of the year) and are lowest in June (7.5%).
November through March accounts for 43.3% of truck crashes here, compared with 41.0% in North Carolina.
By time of day, 2–3 pm stands out with 8.3% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 2.7% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-85 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (9). It is followed by Ssr-1004 Stokes Ferry Rd (2), US-29 (2) and None - Parking Lot (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 61 crashes, 4.0% of the total, against 2.6% across North Carolina.
Their busiest month is May, with 18% of garbage-truck crashes.
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 5.2 deaths compared with 2.1 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 28138 fleets
- Build extra time into May routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Where you can, review stops along I-85; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Waste haulers: May is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Rowan County.
- 2.7% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above North Carolina; 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
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
Truck crashes by year: all trucks vs garbage trucks
Seasonality: when trucks crash in Rowan County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-85 | 9 |
| Ssr-1004 Stokes Ferry Rd | 2 |
| US-29 | 2 |
| None - Parking Lot | 1 |
| S Jake Alexander | 1 |
| SR-152 | 1 |
| Ssr-1002 | 1 |
| Ssr-1221 Old Beatty Ford Rd | 1 |
| Ssr-1322 Ebenezer Rd | 1 |
| Ssr-2114 Centergrove Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Rowan County) |
|---|---|
| W Jake Alexander Blvd | 22 |
| Peeler Rd | 22 |
| Statesville Blvd | 16 |
| Jake Alexander Blvd | 15 |
| E Innes St | 10 |
| W Innes St | 9 |
| Mooresville Rd | 7 |
| S Main St | 6 |
ZIP 28138 at a glance
| Population | 10,271 |
| Density | 88 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $66,896 |
| Median home value | $218,703 |
| Home ownership | 71% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Rowan 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 | 77 | — | 3.4 |
| 2000s | 89 | +15% | 2.7 |
| 2010s | 119 | +34% | 2.4 |
| 2020s | 115 | -3% | 4.2 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 77 a year in the 1990s and 115 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 3.0 a year in 2016–19, 4.2 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 28138
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 28138?
Since 2015, 1,526 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Rowan County (990 injured, 36 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 28138?
I-85 had 9 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 28138 since 2015, more than any other road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 28138?
May has the most truck crashes in Rowan County, 10.4% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 28138?
61 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Rowan County since 2015, 4.0% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 28138 compare with North Carolina?
Per 100,000 residents, Rowan County has 86.2 truck crashes a year; North Carolina has 61.3.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 28138?
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.