ZIP 28646 (Linville, NC) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 28646: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Avery 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
1 of 116 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Avery County compares with North Carolina
Avery County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Avery County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Avery County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 56.1 | 61.3 | 49.7 | 8% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 0.9 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 64% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.64 | 0.66 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.9% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 65% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 10.0% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 5.8× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.6% | 24.0% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 15.4% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 1.5× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.4% | 41.0% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 13.6% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 33% below the state |
Avery County has lower values than North Carolina for crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes 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 Avery County: 10.0% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 1.7% in North Carolina.
Overview
Police reported 116 crashes involving commercial trucks in Avery County since 2015: 73 people were injured and 1 were killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 36 days.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in January (14.7% of the year) and are lowest in December (4.3%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 46.4% of truck crashes, against 41.0% across North Carolina.
More truck crashes happen at 2–3 pm than at any other hour (12.9%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 10.0% 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 28646 happened on SR-194 (1); no road leads clearly.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 1 crash, 0.9% of the total, against 2.6% across North Carolina.
Route planning tips for ZIP 28646 fleets
- Build extra time into January routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- 10.0% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice, above North Carolina; plan winter equipment checks before the season.
- Check your own stops for crash hotspots and low bridges with the free Route Planner.
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 Avery County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-194 | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Avery County) |
|---|---|
| Branch Water | 1 |
| Crossnore Elementary | 1 |
| Freds General Merchant | 1 |
| Hpp | 1 |
| Linville Fd | 1 |
| Nc 194 | 1 |
| Nc 194 B | 1 |
| Old Mortimer | 1 |
ZIP 28646 at a glance
| Population | 382 |
| Density | 6 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $76,736 |
| Home ownership | 100% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Avery 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 | 6 | — | 0.3 |
| 2000s | 6 | -3% | 0.3 |
| 2010s | 9 | +60% | 0.1 |
| 2020s | 12 | +25% | 0.0 |
In the 1990s about 6 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 12. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 28646
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 28646?
116 truck crashes have been reported in Avery County since 2015, with 1 deaths and 73 injuries.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 28646?
January has the most truck crashes in Avery County, 14.7% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 28646?
1 crash involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Avery County since 2015, 0.9% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 28646 compare with North Carolina for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Avery County has 56.1 truck crashes a year; North Carolina has 61.3.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 28646?
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.