ZIP 78538 (Edcouch, TX) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 78538: 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 stands out for higher injuries per crash.
The headline for Hidalgo County: 0.4% of truck crashes happened on snow, slush or ice, vs 1.7% in Texas.
Overview
Hidalgo County has recorded 3,121 truck crashes since 2015, with 2,969 people injured and 65 killed.
In complete reporting years that works out to about 1 truck crash a day.
When crashes happen
March has the most truck crashes, 9.3% of the yearly total, while July has the fewest (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
Fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 78538 since 2015 were spread across roads: Fm 1015 (1), Fm 1425 (1), Fm 2812 (1), Fm 493 (1) and Fm 495 (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
34 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 1.1% share (Texas: 1.1%).
Their busiest month is September, with 15% of garbage-truck crashes.
Per 100 crashes, garbage trucks recorded 0.0 deaths compared with 2.1 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 78538 fleets
- Plan March schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Hidalgo County.
- Garbage-truck crashes here peak in September; review collection routes for that month.
- Paste your stops into the free Route Planner to see the risk score, safer alternatives and low bridges.
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) |
|---|---|
| Fm 1015 | 1 |
| Fm 1425 | 1 |
| Fm 2812 | 1 |
| Fm 493 | 1 |
| Fm 495 | 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 78538 at a glance
| Population | 11,982 |
| Density | 69 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $40,399 |
| Median home value | $96,227 |
| Home ownership | 73% |
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 crashes involving a large truck averaged 4.2 a year in 2016–19 and 5.4 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 78538
How common are truck crashes in ZIP 78538?
3,121 truck crashes have been reported in Hidalgo County since 2015, with 65 deaths and 2,969 injuries.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 78538?
Truck crashes in Hidalgo County peak in March, with 9.3% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck crashes are there in ZIP 78538?
Garbage trucks were involved in 34 reported crashes in Hidalgo County since 2015 (1.1% of truck crashes).
What is the truck crash rate in ZIP 78538 compared with Texas?
Hidalgo County records 29.2 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 62.9 across Texas.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 78538?
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.