ZIP 28638 (Hudson, NC) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 28638: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Caldwell 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
11 of 345 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Caldwell County compares with North Carolina
Caldwell County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Caldwell County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Caldwell County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 36.6 | 61.3 | 49.7 | 40% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.7 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 1.5× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.61 | 0.66 | 0.49 | 8% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.1% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 1.2× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.5% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 1.4× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.9% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 9.2% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 12% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 41.2% | 41.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 12.6% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 38% below the state |
Caldwell County has lower values than North Carolina for crashes per 100k residents / yr, injuries per crash and in rain, sleet or snow. It runs above North Carolina on deaths per 100 crashes, garbage-truck share and on snow, slush or ice.
Caldwell County at a glance: 2.5% on snowy, slushy or icy roads, against 1.7% across North Carolina.
Overview
Police reported 345 crashes involving commercial trucks in Caldwell County since 2015: 211 people were injured and 13 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 12 days.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 12.8% of the yearly total, while May has the fewest (5.8%).
November through March accounts for 41.2% of truck crashes here, compared with 41.0% in North Carolina.
The busiest hour is 7–8 am, with 8.7% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 2.5% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
Since 2015, fatal crashes with a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 28638 happened on I-40 (3), US-321 (3), Ssr-1933 Southwest Blvd (2), US-64 (2) and SR-1159 (1); no road leads clearly.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 11 of the truck crashes here, or 3.2%, compared with 2.6% in North Carolina.
Route planning tips for ZIP 28638 fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Caldwell County.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 25.9% of truck crashes here, more than North Carolina; adjust start times where you can.
- With 2.5% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above North Carolina), plan winter equipment checks early.
- 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 Caldwell County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 3 |
| US-321 | 3 |
| Ssr-1933 Southwest Blvd | 2 |
| US-64 | 2 |
| SR-1159 | 1 |
| SR-18 | 1 |
| Ssr-1001 Connelly Springs Rd | 1 |
| Ssr-1145 Virginia St | 1 |
| Ssr-127 | 1 |
| Ssr-1404 Beecher Anderson Rd | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Caldwell County) |
|---|---|
| Morganton Blvd | 14 |
| Blowing Rock Blvd | 9 |
| Hickory Blvd | 6 |
| Southwest Blvd | 4 |
| Harper Ave | 3 |
| Norwood St | 3 |
| Wilkesboro Blvd | 3 |
| Falls Avenue | 2 |
ZIP 28638 at a glance
| Population | 12,363 |
| Density | 239 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $67,135 |
| Median home value | $206,039 |
| Home ownership | 77% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Caldwell 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 | 21 | — | 1.9 |
| 2000s | 28 | +35% | 1.4 |
| 2010s | 32 | +14% | 0.9 |
| 2020s | 26 | -20% | 1.8 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 21 a year in the 1990s and 26 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. NHTSA counts 1.0 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 28638
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 28638?
Caldwell County has had 345 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 211 people and killing 13.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 28638?
March has the most truck crashes in Caldwell County, 12.8% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 28638?
Garbage trucks were involved in 11 reported crashes in Caldwell County since 2015 (3.2% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 28638 compare with North Carolina for truck crashes?
Caldwell County records 36.6 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 61.3 across North Carolina.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 28638?
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.