ZIP 28761 (Nebo, NC) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 28761: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in McDowell 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
2 of 622 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How McDowell County compares with North Carolina
McDowell County against North Carolina and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where McDowell County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | McDowell County | North Carolina | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 119.7 | 61.3 | 49.7 | 2.0× the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.2 | 2.5 | 3.4 | 12% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.46 | 0.66 | 0.49 | 30% below the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 0.2% | 2.6% | 2.3% | 93% below the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 2.2% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 1.3× the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 19.3% | 24.0% | 23.7% | 20% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 10.1% | 10.5% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 39.9% | 41.0% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 25.3% | 20.4% | 24.8% | 1.2× the state |
McDowell County sits below North Carolina on deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share. Where it is higher: crashes per 100k residents / yr, on snow, slush or ice and after dark.
McDowell County at a glance: 1 in 588 crashes involve a garbage truck (2 since 2015), vs 2.6% across North Carolina.
Overview
Since 2015, 622 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in McDowell County. They injured 288 people and killed 13.
In complete reporting years that works out to about one truck crash every 7 days.
When crashes happen
June has the most truck crashes, 11.3% of the yearly total, while August has the fewest (6.9%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 39.9% of truck crashes, against 41.0% across North Carolina.
By time of day, 2–3 pm stands out with 9.0% of truck crashes.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 2.2% 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 28761 happened on SR-226 (2), US-221 (2), US-64 (2), I-40 (1) and N Main St (1); no road leads clearly.
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 2 of the truck crashes here, or 0.3%, compared with 2.6% in North Carolina.
Route planning tips for ZIP 28761 fleets
- Review driver schedules for June, the month with the most truck crashes.
- With 2.2% of truck crashes on snow, slush or ice (above North Carolina), plan winter equipment checks early.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 McDowell County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-226 | 2 |
| US-221 | 2 |
| US-64 | 2 |
| I-40 | 1 |
| N Main St | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (McDowell County) |
|---|---|
| North Main Street | 6 |
| Love'S Travel Store | 4 |
| Pilot Travel Center | 4 |
| Baldwin Avenue | 3 |
| Love'S Travel Stop | 3 |
| E Court St | 2 |
| Pilot Pva | 2 |
| Pilot Truck Stop | 2 |
ZIP 28761 at a glance
| Population | 8,150 |
| Density | 30 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $54,869 |
| Median home value | $188,292 |
| Home ownership | 84% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in McDowell 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 | 35 | — | 0.6 |
| 2000s | 43 | +24% | 1.2 |
| 2010s | 51 | +18% | 1.2 |
| 2020s | 50 | -2% | 0.8 |
In the 1990s about 35 truck crashes a year were reported; in the 2020s, about 50. Reporting coverage also changed between these periods. Fatal large-truck crashes: 1.0 a year in 2016–19, 0.8 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 28761
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 28761?
Since 2015, 622 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in McDowell County (288 injured, 13 killed).
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 28761?
June has the most truck crashes in McDowell County, 11.3% of the yearly total.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 28761?
Since 2015, McDowell County has reported 2 garbage-truck crashes, or 0.3% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 28761 compare with North Carolina for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, McDowell County has 119.7 truck crashes a year; North Carolina has 61.3.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 28761?
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.