ZIP 28659 (North Wilkesboro, NC) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 28659: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Wilkes 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 431 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Wilkes County compares with North Carolina
Wilkes County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Wilkes County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Wilkes County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 57.4 | 61.3 | 49.7 | same |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.9 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.74 | 0.66 | 0.49 | 1.1× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 3.6% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.9% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 1.1× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 26.3% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 6.9% | 10.5% | 13.8% | 34% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 46.2% | 41.0% | 41.9% | 1.1× the state |
| After dark | 21.1% | 20.4% | 24.8% | same |
Wilkes County sits below North Carolina on in rain, sleet or snow. It runs above North Carolina on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
What stands out in ZIP 28659: US-421 3 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 28659.
Overview
Since 2015, 431 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Wilkes County. They injured 318 people and killed 12.
That averages about one truck crash every 10 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
The worst month is January with 11.1% of truck crashes; the quietest is July at 4.4%.
The five winter months (November to March) hold 46.2% of truck crashes, against 41.0% across North Carolina.
The busiest hour is 3–4 pm, with 8.4% of truck crashes.
1.9% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 1.7% across North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
US-421 leads within 10 miles of ZIP 28659 with 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015. After it: SR-268 (1), Ssr-1372 (1) and Ssr-2324 Red White And Blue Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 15 crashes, 3.5% of the total, against 2.6% across North Carolina.
Route planning tips for ZIP 28659 fleets
- Plan January schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Wilkes County.
- Look at alternatives to US-421 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 26.3% of truck crashes here, more than North Carolina; adjust start times where you can.
- Icy and snowy roads show up in 1.9% of truck crashes here, more than North Carolina; schedule winter checks early.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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 Wilkes County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-421 | 3 |
| SR-268 | 1 |
| Ssr-1372 | 1 |
| Ssr-2324 Red White And Blue Rd | 1 |
| Ssr-2462 Country Club Rd Ext | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Wilkes County) |
|---|---|
| Call St | 2 |
| River St | 2 |
| US-421 | 2 |
| Wilkesboro Ave | 2 |
| 2Nd St | 1 |
| 6Th Street | 1 |
| Bojangles | 1 |
| Chatham Street | 1 |
ZIP 28659 at a glance
| Population | 21,422 |
| Density | 82 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $50,280 |
| Median home value | $167,244 |
| Home ownership | 68% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Wilkes 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 | 28 | — | 1.8 |
| 2000s | 29 | +3% | 1.8 |
| 2010s | 39 | +35% | 1.0 |
| 2020s | 34 | -13% | 1.8 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 28 to 34. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.0 a year in 2016–19, 1.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 28659
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 28659?
Since 2015, 431 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Wilkes County (318 injured, 12 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 28659?
US-421 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 28659 since 2015, more than any other road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 28659?
January has the most truck crashes in Wilkes County, 11.1% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 28659?
Since 2015, Wilkes County has reported 15 garbage-truck crashes, or 3.5% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 28659 compare with North Carolina?
Wilkes County records 57.4 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 61.3 across North Carolina.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 28659?
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.