ZIP 28697 (Wilkesboro, NC) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 28697: 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 has lower values than North Carolina for in rain, sleet or snow. Where it is higher: deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
ZIP 28697 at a glance: US-421 deadliest road: 3 fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 28697 since 2015.
Overview
Wilkes County has recorded 431 truck crashes since 2015, with 318 people injured and 12 killed.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly one truck crash every 10 days.
When crashes happen
January has the most truck crashes, 11.1% of the yearly total, while July has the fewest (4.4%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 46.2% of truck crashes, against 41.0% across North Carolina.
More truck crashes happen at 3–4 pm than at any other hour (8.4%).
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 1.9% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in North Carolina.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-421 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (3). After it: SR-268 (1), Ssr-1372 (1) and Ssr-2324 Red White And Blue Rd (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
15 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 3.5% share (North Carolina: 2.6%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 28697 fleets
- Review driver schedules for January, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Look at alternatives to US-421 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- 26.3% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above North Carolina; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- 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 28697 at a glance
| Population | 13,412 |
| Density | 83 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $52,988 |
| Median home value | $209,004 |
| Home ownership | 67% |
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 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 28 a year in the 1990s and 34 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 28697
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 28697?
Wilkes County has had 431 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 318 people and killing 12.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 28697?
US-421 had 3 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 28697 since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 28697?
Truck crashes in Wilkes County peak in January, with 11.1% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 28697?
Garbage trucks were involved in 15 reported crashes in Wilkes County since 2015 (3.5% of truck crashes).
How does ZIP 28697 compare with North Carolina for truck crashes?
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 28697?
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.