ZIP 78503 (Mcallen, TX) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 78503: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Hidalgo 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
0.0 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 2.1 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Hidalgo County compares with Texas
Hidalgo County against Texas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Hidalgo County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Hidalgo County | Texas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 29.2 | 62.9 | 49.7 | 54% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 2.1 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 49% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.95 | 0.58 | 0.49 | 1.6× the state |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.1% | 1.1% | 2.3% | same |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.4% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 75% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 17.8% | 22.6% | 23.7% | 22% below the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 8.6% | 11.3% | 13.8% | 24% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.1% | 40.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 21.2% | 27.0% | 24.8% | 22% below the state |
Hidalgo County has lower values than Texas for crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. Where it is higher: injuries per crash.
The headline for ZIP 78503: US-281 6 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 78503.
Overview
Police reported 3,121 crashes involving commercial trucks in Hidalgo County since 2015: 2,969 people were injured and 65 were killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 1 truck crash a day.
When crashes happen
The worst month is March with 9.3% of truck crashes; the quietest is July at 6.7%.
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 43.1% of truck crashes, vs 40.8% for Texas.
By time of day, 2–3 pm stands out with 8.5% of truck crashes.
0.4% of truck crashes here happened on snow, slush or ice, against 1.7% across Texas.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-281 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (6). After it: I-2 (3), SR-495 (2) and Fm 2557 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
34 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.1% share (Texas: 1.1%).
Garbage-truck crashes peak in September (15% of them).
They recorded 0.0 deaths per 100 crashes, against 2.1 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 78503 fleets
- Build extra time into March routes: it has the most truck crashes here.
- Look at alternatives to US-281 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- Waste haulers: September is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Hidalgo County.
- 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 Hidalgo County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| US-281 | 6 |
| I-2 | 3 |
| SR-495 | 2 |
| Fm 2557 | 1 |
| Fm 3362/Jackson Rd | 1 |
| Fm 494/Shary Rd | 1 |
| Fm1016 Military Hwy | 1 |
| I-20 | 1 |
| I-69 | 1 |
| I2 Frontage | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Hidalgo County) |
|---|---|
| S 9901 Cage Blvd | 19 |
| Monte Cristo Rd | 15 |
| Military Hwy | 14 |
| E 1300 Monte Cristo Rd | 14 |
| Alamo Rd | 11 |
| S 9900 Cage Blvd | 9 |
| Moorefield Rd | 8 |
| N 4600 Cage Blvd | 8 |
ZIP 78503 at a glance
| Population | 22,621 |
| Density | 455 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $53,322 |
| Median home value | $172,907 |
| Home ownership | 61% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Hidalgo 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 | 178 | — | 5.6 |
| 2000s | 196 | +10% | 6.6 |
| 2010s | 199 | +2% | 4.1 |
| 2020s | 296 | +48% | 5.4 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 178 to 296. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. NHTSA counts 4.2 fatal large-truck crashes a year in 2016–19 and 5.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 78503
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 78503?
3,121 truck crashes have been reported in Hidalgo County since 2015, with 65 deaths and 2,969 injuries.
What is the most dangerous road for trucks in ZIP 78503?
NHTSA data shows US-281 with 6 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 78503 since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 78503?
March has the most truck crashes in Hidalgo County, 9.3% of the yearly total.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 78503?
34 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Hidalgo County since 2015, 1.1% of all truck crashes.
How does ZIP 78503 compare with Texas for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Hidalgo County has 29.2 truck crashes a year; Texas has 62.9.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 78503?
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.