ZIP 87144 (Rio Rancho, NM) truck route planning & crash data
Plan safer truck routes around ZIP 87144: commercial truck and garbage truck crashes here and in Sandoval 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
6 of 242 truck crashes since 2015.
Deadliest roads
How Sandoval County compares with New Mexico
Sandoval County against New Mexico and the US, 2015–2025 (years with complete crash reporting). Per-resident rates make big and small places comparable.
Where Sandoval County stands out
Full comparison
| Measure (2015–2025) | Sandoval County | New Mexico | United States | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crashes per 100k residents / yr | 12.9 | 45.6 | 49.7 | 72% below the state |
| Deaths per 100 crashes | 7.2 | 9.5 | 3.4 | 24% below the state |
| Injuries per crash | 0.54 | 0.56 | 0.49 | same |
| Garbage-truck share | 2.7% | 0.4% | 2.3% | 6.0× the state |
| On snow, slush or ice | 9.4% | 12.1% | 6.2% | 22% below the state |
| Morning rush (6–10 am) | 25.1% | 22.8% | 23.7% | 1.1× the state |
| In rain, sleet or snow | 13.0% | 11.7% | 13.8% | 1.1× the state |
| Winter months (Nov–Mar) | 43.0% | 46.8% | 41.9% | 8% below the state |
| After dark | 32.3% | 30.2% | 24.8% | same |
Compared with New Mexico, Sandoval County is lower on crashes per 100k residents / yr, deaths per 100 crashes and on snow, slush or ice. It runs above New Mexico on garbage-truck share, morning rush (6–10 am) and in rain, sleet or snow.
Sandoval County at a glance: 1 in 37 crashes involve a garbage truck (6 since 2015), vs 0.4% across New Mexico.
Overview
Sandoval County has recorded 242 truck crashes since 2015, with 126 people injured and 17 killed.
That averages about one truck crash every 18 days in fully reported years.
When crashes happen
Truck crashes peak in September (13.2% of the year) and are lowest in April (4.5%).
The five winter months (November to March) hold 43.0% of truck crashes, against 46.8% across New Mexico.
The busiest hour is 7–8 am, with 7.4% of truck crashes.
Road surface: 9.4% of truck crashes were on snow, slush or ice (New Mexico: 12.1%).
Where crashes happen
The deadliest road for trucks within 10 miles of ZIP 87144 is SR-528, with 3 fatal large-truck crashes since 2015. It is followed by I-25 (1), Mu- Unser Blvd (1) and Old Airport Rd Nw (1).
Garbage & waste trucks
6 crashes involved a garbage or refuse truck, a 2.5% share (New Mexico: 0.4%).
Route planning tips for ZIP 87144 fleets
- Review driver schedules for September, the month with the most truck crashes.
- Look at alternatives to SR-528 at busy times: it leads this area in fatal truck crashes.
- The morning rush (6–10 am) holds 25.1% of truck crashes here, more than New Mexico; adjust start times where you can.
- 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 Sandoval County
By hour of day
Most dangerous roads for trucks
| Road | Fatal truck crashes since 2015 (within 10 miles) |
|---|---|
| SR-528 | 3 |
| I-25 | 1 |
| Mu- Unser Blvd | 1 |
| Old Airport Rd Nw | 1 |
Roads named most in all truck crash reports
| Road | Truck crashes since 2015 (Sandoval County) |
|---|---|
| US-550 | 57 |
| I-25 | 15 |
| SR-550 | 5 |
| Nm 528 | 4 |
| State Road 528 | 3 |
| Us Highway 550 & Ts Jicarilla Rd | 3 |
| W Us 550 | 3 |
| Abrazo Rd | 2 |
ZIP 87144 at a glance
| Population | 51,837 |
| Density | 199 per sq mi |
| Median household income | $94,550 |
| Median home value | $322,587 |
| Home ownership | 86% |
Waste facilities and haulers nearby
Historical data: truck crashes in Sandoval 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 | 4 | — | 1.8 |
| 2000s | 10 | +163% | 1.8 |
| 2010s | 18 | +79% | 1.2 |
| 2020s | 19 | +5% | 1.0 |
Reported truck crashes averaged 4 a year in the 1990s and 19 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 1.2 a year in 2016–19 and 1.0 a year in 2020–24.
Nearby ZIP codes
Questions fleets ask about ZIP 87144
How many truck accidents are there in ZIP 87144?
Sandoval County has had 242 reported truck crashes since 2015, injuring 126 people and killing 17.
Where do fatal truck crashes happen most in ZIP 87144?
NHTSA data shows SR-528 with 3 fatal large-truck crashes within 10 miles of ZIP 87144 since 2015, the highest of any road.
When do most truck crashes happen in ZIP 87144?
The worst month is September: 13.2% of truck crashes in Sandoval County happen then.
How many garbage truck accidents happen in ZIP 87144?
6 crashes involving garbage or refuse trucks have been reported in Sandoval County since 2015, 2.5% of all truck crashes.
How do truck crashes in ZIP 87144 compare with New Mexico?
Per 100,000 residents, Sandoval County has 12.9 truck crashes a year; New Mexico has 45.6.
What is the best way to plan truck routes in ZIP 87144?
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.