According to 2024 data, more than 39,300 motor vehicle traffic fatalities occurred nationwide across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Based on the most recent information available, among the nation’s highways, Florida’s U.S. 1 stands out as the deadliest, averaging 108 fatalities per year. It is followed by I-40 in Tennessee with 52 fatalities annually, and I-40 in New Mexico with 40.
The list below highlights the single most dangerous highway in each state. While some states have multiple hazardous routes, only the top crash-prone highway per state is included, along with its average annual fatalities and the factors that contribute to its reputation.
1. U.S. Route 1 Florida
Length: 545 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 108
Common Hazards: Another set of hazards on that part of Florida’s US-1 stretch are the heavy traffic, the distracted, or prohibited drivers at congested intersections, and the weather-related hazards, thousands of those coming from floods, hurricanes, or thunderstorms.
Notable Sections: Due to heavy traffic, narrow roadways, and high speeds, the highest level of danger on U.S. 1 is within Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach counties, and the Keys, where accidents occur frequently.
Why It’s Dangerous: Heavy traffic, frequent intersections, and merging zones equally ply on it. In contrast, heavy tourist traffic and diverse usage make the road unsafe.
2. I-40 Tennessee
Length: 455.28 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 52
Common Hazards: Big cities, such as Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, witness heavy traffic in I-40 Tennessee besides sharp, winding mountain roads subject to landslides and rockslides.
Notable Sections: The east section contains a few notorious areas with steep grades and adverse driving conditions.
Why It’s Dangerous: Due to traffic congestion, winding roads, hilly terrain, and frequent rockslides in the mountains of the east, I-40 in Tennessee continues to be an unsafe or dangerous highway to drive on. Speeding and distracted driving only further increase accident cases here.
3. I-40 New Mexico
Length: 374 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 40
Common Hazards: This is one lengthy combination and attributed to tired truck drivers, speeding, bad roads, sharp curves, old highway infrastructure, short merge ramps, and bad weather conditions including instances of snow and rain, often in high elevation passes.
Notable Sections: The area between Albuquerque Exits 154 and 158 (Bernalillo County) is especially dangerous, with numerous collisions and fatal accidents.
Why It’s Dangerous: A freight corridor of high truck traffic volume holds credits, but with many infrastructure constraints and merging problems, it is prone to very serious accidents.
4. I-40 Arizona
Length: 359.11 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 35
Common Hazards: Heavy commercial truck traffic; monotony leading to the continued development of “road hypnosis”; dust storms; cold ice and snow creating uneven and slippery pavement.
Notable Sections: The northern stretch of Arizona (Coconino County) perhaps is the more dangerous one, to the extent that safety corridor trials were undertaken.
Why It’s Dangerous: The hazards by nature are posed by heavy truck traffic, long, straight stretches, encouraging dancing driver fatigue; adverse weather, such as snow, ice, and dust storms; and inconsistent road surface conditions.
5 U.S. 83 Texas
Length: 893 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 34
Common Hazards: The nonexistence of control points in transit makes traveling very fast. Distances in a rural environment ease further fatigue in drivers. Limited controls exist here through RURA control, traffic signalization, signs, or lane delineation, giving a feeling of carefree driving. However, with very narrow lanes and basic-rise roadway safety features, this environment subjects drivers to some risks.
Notable Sections: The rural stretches between Laredo and Uvalde are especially distinct for dangerous crash incidents; the narrow lanes with no median often contribute to fatal crashes.
Why It’s Dangerous: Long uninterrupted stretches of the highway encourage speeding and fatigue, while an under-resourced emergency response and highway infrastructure amplify the severity and death toll of crashes.
6. I-65 Alabama
Length: 366 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 33
Common Hazards: Heavy traffic; in fact, with so many construction sites everywhere, the congestion is high, pooling of water on the road (which might cause hydroplaning), leaving very little room free for safe driving, and that adds nails, stones, and other debris to the already crowded highway.
Notable Sections: The “Malfunction Junction” interchange in Birmingham, the stretch connecting Birmingham to Montgomery, and the Mobile-Montgomery corridor.
Why It’s Dangerous: High traffic over aging infrastructure and confusing interchanges, with sudden lane changes and debris, increase crash severity.
7. U.S. 31 Michigan
Length: 355.2 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 31
Common Hazards: Excessive speed in bad weather, deer crossing, distracted/drowsy driving, and intersection violations.
Notable Sections: Areas around Traverse City, Charlevoix, Manistee, and Holland with high crash activity.
Why It’s Dangerous: Weather, wildlife, and diminished driver attention combine to cause high crash and fatality rates.
8. I-95 South Carolina
Length: 199 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 30
Common Hazards: High speeds in heavy freight and tourist traffic; frequent lane changes; lack of median barriers.
Notable Sections: I-26 interchange near St. George; Florence–Dillon stretch; areas near truck stops and rest areas; and construction zones.
Why It’s Dangerous: The busy corridor intermixes local with long-haul traffic under variable conditions, generally with high speed, and insufficient infrastructure, resulting in high-crash frequencies.
9. U.S. 90 Louisiana
Length: 297.6 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 29.5
Common Hazards: Narrow lanes; lots of intersections; merging conflicts; high truck traffic; and DUI involvement.
Notable Sections: The segments residing in southern Louisiana (officially declared the most dangerous highway in the state).
Why It’s Dangerous: Heavy merging areas, tight roads with no suitable buffer, scenic but hazardous design method, and a notable share of lethal accidents tied to the impairment of the drivers.
10. I-5 Washington
Length: 276.62 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 26
Common Hazards: High traffic volumes, inclement weather, speeding, poor signage, and poor sight distance.
Notable Sections: The vicinity of Tacoma near Exit 133 (I-705/SR-7) for high fatal crashes; also, the area near McChord AFB (Exit 119-124) with high fatalities per mile.
Why It’s Dangerous: Heavy usage coupled with poor lighting and weather-induced visibility constrains further increase chances of collisions, especially in the urban sections noted for high fatality rates.
11. I-95 North Carolina
Length: 182 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 24
Common Hazards: Wet pavement, flooding, storms, heavy truck traffic, impaired, and distracted driving.
Notable Sections: I-95 general stretches around Rocky Mount are identified as crash hotspots.
Why It’s Dangerous: Adverse weather and heavy truck volumes contrive to create multi-vehicle crashes and pile-ups. The rural design and erratic condition further endanger.
12. I-80 Nebraska
Length: 455.32 miles
Average Annual Fatalities: 23.5
Common Hazards: Long monotony leading to tiredness, the high-speed variant of cross-median crashes, snow and ice in winter, and high winds.
Notable Sections: Omaha stretch with frequent cross-median incidents; winter-prone stretch subject to ice and wind hazards.
Why It’s Dangerous: Exposures of extended duration to fatigue, inclement weather, and insufficient median protection exist, with crash severity and frequency being increased thereby.
Factors That Make a Highway Dangerous
The dangers of highways can range from speeding drivers, weird interchanges, and heavy truck traffic. Add in some rain, fog, or icy road conditions, and you have a different set of risks. Debris, poor visibility, or a construction zone can be equally dangerous if you are not prepared.
Just like you would learn how to transport a car safely, staying alert and prepared is your key to safeguarding your life out there.
Safety Tips for Driving on Dangerous Highways
Make sure you plan your rides and schedule breaks along the scary highways; fatigue happens to be one of the biggest threats. Also, keep the vehicle in prime order by looking at tire pressures, engine oil, and the lighting system’s operation. Stay put with the higher alertness by setting your mind away from distractions and keeping a safe distance between vehicles.
Moreover, in case your journey is across states, bear in mind these priceless Long-Distance Driving Safety Tips across States. They will take care of your sharp focus, safety, and control.
