ZIP 78721 (Austin, TX) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 78721: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Travis 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
11.8 deaths per 100 garbage-truck crashes vs 3.5 for all trucks.
Deadliest roads
How Travis County compares with Texas
Travis County against Texas and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Travis County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Travis County | Texas | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 39.1 | 62.9 | 49.7 | 38% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 3.5 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 15% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.56 | 0.58 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 1.6% | 1.1% | 2.3% | 1.4× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 0.7% | 1.7% | 6.2% | 59% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 24.9% | 22.6% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 7.6% | 11.3% | 13.8% | 32% below the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 40.3% | 40.8% | 41.9% | same |
| After dark | 27.2% | 27.0% | 24.8% | same |
Compared with Texas, Travis County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. It runs above Texas on garbage-truck share and morning rush (6–10 am).
ZIP 78721 at a glance: I-35 31 fatal truck crashes since 2015, more than any other road within 10 miles of ZIP 78721.
Overview
Since 2015, 6,177 crashes involving commercial trucks have been reported in Travis County. They injured 3,458 people and killed 217.
Across the years with complete reporting, that is roughly 1 truck crash every day.
When crashes happen
June has the most truck crashes, 9.2% of the yearly total, while December has the fewest (7.2%).
Winter months (Nov–Mar) carry 40.3% of truck crashes, vs 40.8% for Texas.
The busiest hour is 12–1 pm, with 7.2% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 0.7% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (Texas: 1.7%).
Where crashes happen
Within this area, I-35 had the most fatal crashes involving a large truck since 2015 (31). It is followed by SR-71 (10), SR-130 (8) and US-183 (8).
Garbage & waste trucks
Garbage trucks account for 97 of the truck crashes here, or 1.6%, compared with 1.1% in Texas.
Their busiest month is March, with 13% of garbage-truck crashes.
They recorded 11.8 deaths per 100 crashes, against 3.5 for all trucks.
Route planning tips for ZIP 78721 fleets
- Plan June schedules with more margin; it is the worst month for truck crashes in Travis County.
- Where you can, review stops along I-35; it has the most fatal large-truck crashes nearby.
- Waste haulers: March is the peak month for garbage-truck crashes in Travis County.
- 24.9% of truck crashes happen between 6 and 10 am, above Texas; consider earlier or later starts where possible.
- 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 Travis County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| I-35 | 31 |
| SR-71 | 10 |
| SR-130 | 8 |
| US-183 | 8 |
| US-290 | 5 |
| Airport Blvd | 2 |
| SR-360 | 2 |
| 11th St | 1 |
| Ben White | 1 |
| CR-IMPERIAL Drive | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Travis County) |
|---|---|
| N Ih 35 | 62 |
| S Ih 35 | 58 |
| Ed Bluestein Blvd | 38 |
| Research Blvd | 36 |
| I-35 | 33 |
| Airport Blvd | 25 |
| Sh 130 | 24 |
| Bastrop Hwy | 23 |
ZIP 78721 at a glance
| Population | 10,997 |
| Density | 1,190 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $84,573 |
| Median home value | $529,044 |
| Home ownership | 51% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Travis 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 | 422 | — | 5.9 |
| 2000s | 390 | -8% | 7.5 |
| 2010s | 424 | +9% | 9.7 |
| 2020s | 551 | +30% | 18.0 |
From the 1990s to the 2020s, yearly reported truck crashes went from 422 to 551. Some of the change may reflect how crashes were reported. Fatal crashes involving a large truck averaged 12.5 a year in 2016–19 and 18.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 78721
How many truck crashes happen in ZIP 78721?
Since 2015, 6,177 crashes involving commercial trucks were reported in Travis County (3,458 injured, 217 killed).
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 78721?
NHTSA data shows I-35 with 31 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 78721 since 2015, the highest of any road.
Which month has the most truck crashes in ZIP 78721?
Truck crashes in Travis County peak in June, with 9.2% of the year's crashes.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 78721?
Since 2015, Travis County has reported 97 garbage-truck crashes, or 1.6% of its truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 78721 compare with Texas?
Travis County records 39.1 truck crashes per 100,000 residents a year, against 62.9 across Texas.
How can I plan a safer truck route in ZIP 78721?
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.