ZIP 78516 (Alamo, TX) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 78516: 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 |
Compared with Texas, Hidalgo County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. It runs above Texas on injuries per crash.
The headline for ZIP 78516: US-281 deadliest road: 7 fatal truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 78516 since 2015.
Overview
Police reported 3,121 crashes involving commercial trucks in Hidalgo County since 2015: 2,969 people were injured and 65 were killed.
That averages about 1 truck crash a day in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in March (9.3% of the year) and are lowest in July (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.
Snow, slush or ice was on the road in 0.4% of truck crashes, compared with 1.7% in Texas.
Where crashes happen
Within this area, US-281 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (7). It is followed by I-2 (4), SR-495 (2) and Fm 2557 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage and refuse trucks were involved in 34 crashes, 1.1% of the total, against 1.1% across Texas.
Garbage-truck crashes peak in September (15% of them).
Deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes: 0.0, vs 2.1 for all truck crashes.
Route planning tips for ZIP 78516 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.
- For residential and commercial waste routes, look again at September schedules: garbage-truck crashes peak then.
- Use the free Route Planner to score your route and spot low bridges before drivers head out.
About the data
Sources: the FMCSA crash file for all reported truck crashes and NHTSA FARS for fatal crashes with a large truck. Every statement here comes straight from those numbers.
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 | 7 |
| I-2 | 4 |
| SR-495 | 2 |
| Fm 2557 | 1 |
| Fm 3362/Jackson Rd | 1 |
| Fm 495 | 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 78516 at a glance
| Population | 34,370 |
| Density | 351 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $53,229 |
| Median home value | $118,048 |
| Home ownership | 76% |
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 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 178 a year in the 1990s and 296 a year in the 2020s. Reporting practices changed over time, so part of any change can come from reporting. Fatal large-truck crashes: 4.2 a year in 2016–19, 5.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 78516
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 78516?
Hidalgo County has had 3,121 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 2,969 people and killing 65.
Which road has the most fatal truck crashes in ZIP 78516?
US-281 had 7 fatal crashes involving a large truck within 10 miles of ZIP 78516 since 2015, more than any other road.
What is the worst month for truck crashes in ZIP 78516?
The worst month is March: 9.3% of truck crashes in Hidalgo County happen then.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 78516?
Since 2015, Hidalgo County has reported 34 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.1% of its truck crashes.
How does ZIP 78516 compare with Texas for truck crashes?
Per 100,000 residents, Hidalgo County has 29.2 truck crashes a year; Texas has 62.9.
How do I plan a garbage truck route in ZIP 78516?
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.