ZIP 38118 (Memphis, TN) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 38118: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Shelby 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
2.2 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 4.5 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Shelby County compares with Tennessee
Shelby County against Tennessee and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Shelby County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Shelby County | Tennessee | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 50.8 | 60.1 | 49.7 | 15% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 4.5 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 1.2× the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.58 | 0.48 | 0.49 | 1.2× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.7% | 1.9% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 1.2% | 2.3% | 6.2% | 48% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 21.7% | 21.8% | 23.7% | same |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 15.6% | 14.9% | 13.8% | same |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.8% | 40.5% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 25.0% | 25.9% | 24.8% | same |
Shelby County sits below Tennessee on crashes per 100k residents / yr and on snow, slush or ice. It stands out for higher deaths per 100 crashes, injuries per crash and garbage-truck share.
ZIP 38118 at a glance: US-78 most fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 38118: 23 since 2015.
Overview
Police reported 5,377 crashes involving commercial trucks in Shelby County since 2015: 3,109 people were injured and 238 were killed.
That averages about 1 truck crash a day in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
May has the most truck crashes, 9.1% of the yearly total, while February has the fewest (7.4%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 40.8% of truck crashes, against 40.5% across Tennessee.
By time of day, 12–1 pm stands out with 7.0% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 1.2% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Tennessee: 2.3%).
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 38118 is US-78, with 23 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by I-240 (14), SR-175 (14) and I-55 (11).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 139 crashes, 2.6% of the total, against 1.9% across Tennessee.
The most garbage-truck crashes happen in August (12%).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 2.2, vs 4.5 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 38118 fleets
- Plan May schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Shelby County.
- Check whether your routes use US-78, the road with the most fatal truck crashes in this area.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in August; review collection routes for that month.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
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 Shelby County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-78 | 23 |
| I-240 | 14 |
| SR-175 | 14 |
| I-55 | 11 |
| US-64 | 5 |
| I-40 | 4 |
| US-61 | 4 |
| Winchester Rd | 3 |
| Airways Blvd | 2 |
| Mu-E Raines Rd | 2 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Shelby County) |
|---|---|
| I-40 | 813 |
| I-240 | 407 |
| Lamar Ave | 331 |
| I-55 | 267 |
| E Shelby Dr | 234 |
| Winchester Rd | 111 |
| Getwell Rd | 61 |
| Shelby Dr | 61 |
ZIP 38118 at a glance
| Population | 39,107 |
| Density | 496 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $43,446 |
| Median home value | $108,355 |
| Home ownership | 40% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Shelby 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 | 24 | — | 13.2 |
| 2000s | 384 | +1525% | 10.0 |
| 2010s | 510 | +33% | 11.1 |
| 2020s | 424 | -17% | 19.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 24 to 424. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 15.8 a year in 2016–19 and 19.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 38118
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 38118?
Shelby County has had 5,377 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 3,109 people and killing 238.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 38118?
NHTSA data shows US-78 with 23 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 38118 since 2015, the highest of any road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 38118?
Truck crashes in Shelby County peak in May, with 9.1% of the year's crashes.
Are garbage truck crashes common in ZIP 38118?
Garbage trucks were involved in 139 reported crashes in Shelby County since 2015 (2.6% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 38118 compared with Tennessee?
The yearly rate is 50.8 truck crashes per 100,000 residents in Shelby County, vs 60.1 for Tennessee.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 38118?
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.