It's estimated that 4,000 people die in car crashes every year on US highways alone. This number has been consistent since the mid-1990s, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Highway I-45 in Texas
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Texas leads the nation in fatalities. In 2017, 1,437 people died in car accidents on Texas roads and highways. That’s 5.5% of all traffic-related fatalities nationwide.
One highway that has seen a disproportionately high number of these deaths is Interstate 45, which runs from Galveston, TX to Oklahoma City, OK for 736 miles (1,189 kilometers). I-45 is considered part of a major highway corridor linking Houston with Dallas/Fort Worth and provides access to both cities' major airports: William P. Hobby Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport respectively. Traffic on this stretch can be heavy at times due to its proximity to these two major metropolitan areas and because it serves as an important freight route.
Highway I-95 in Florida
Highway I-95 in Florida is the most dangerous highway in the United States. In fact, it's one of the most dangerous highways in all of North America. Besides having a high rate of fatal accidents involving pedestrians and motorcycles, this interstate also has a high rate of fatal accidents involving trucks. The reason for this is simple: it's one of the busiest interstates, with millions upon millions traveling along it every year.
US Route 60 in Arizona
If you're driving through the deserts of Arizona, US Route 60 is known as the Beeline Highway. Most people who travel along it are truck drivers who use it to get to their destinations quickly and safely, but that doesn't mean it's any less dangerous. In fact, there are several factors that make this stretch of highway one of the most dangerous in America.
The average high temperature in July for Phoenix, AZ is 106 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius), with lows dipping down into the 80s (26-27 degrees Celsius). That means if you have an accident during daylight hours, car temperatures could climb even higher than those outside; a closed car can reach upwards of 150 degrees F (66 degrees Celsius) within 10 minutes.
There are also wildlife hazards. Desert animals such as coyotes roam freely along this highway at night and may cause car accidents by darting out onto roadways unexpectedly or attacking vehicles when they make rest stops.
US Route 101 in California
US Route 101 is one of the most dangerous highways in California. It's also a major north-south route along the Pacific Coast of the United States, passing through many cities and towns including San Francisco, San Jose, and Santa Cruz. US Route 101 has 3 lanes in each direction from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood and has 4 or 5 lanes in each direction between Santa Monica Boulevard and Ventura Freeway (CA134) in Sherman Oaks.
It becomes 6 lanes in each direction between Ventura Freeway (CA134) and State Route 1 / Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco until CA1A leaves it after crossing over into Sausalito. There are 8 lanes on Interstate 80 leading up to its junction with US101 before dropping down to 4 again as they cross into Oakland via Bay Bridge, where there are 10 lanes total on Highway 24.
Interstate 10 in Texas
Interstate 10 runs through the states of Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Arizona and is a major thoroughfare for truckers. It also passes through some of the largest cities in the United States, including Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.
Interstate 10 is prone to heavy traffic thanks to its importance as a route for truckers who need to travel between Mexico and the rest of the United States. This has led many people on I-10 to develop a sense of urgency when traveling on it: if you are driving on this highway and find yourself stuck in traffic behind another car or trucker, don't panic. Instead of hitting your horn repeatedly or waving your arms out your window in an attempt at getting other drivers' attention (which will likely only make matters worse), take deep breaths until you feel calm again then try thinking about something else, like what's happening with your favorite sports team or what you'll have for dinner that night.
Interstate 94 in Michigan
Interstate 94 in Michigan is considered by many to be one of the most dangerous highways in the United States. It has a major impact on public safety because it runs between Detroit and Chicago, two of America's largest cities. The highway is narrow, with no shoulders, and many sharp curves that make it difficult for drivers to maintain their speed while keeping control of their vehicles. Many trucks also use this road because it provides easy access between these two cities—and they often drive at high speeds.
Interstate 5 in California
Another dangerous highway in California is Interstate 5, which runs from the Mexican border to the Oregon border. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were more than 4,000 accidents on this highway between 2012 and 2016.
The reason for these accidents stems from three factors:
The sheer number of people who use this highway every day - an average of 400,000 people travel down this stretch each day.
Drunk drivers are common on this road - drunk or drugged driving was involved in nearly half (48%) of all fatal collisions on Interstate 5 between 2012 and 2016;
A lack of lanes - several portions of I-5 only have a single lane each way which can cause traffic jams if something goes wrong with one car or truck traveling at high speeds.
Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania
Interstate 81 is a major Interstate Highway in the eastern United States. It is the only Interstate Highway to cross the Appalachian Mountains. It runs from Dandridge, Tennessee, at Interstate 40 to Binghamton, New York, at Interstate 90.
Interstate 81 was created on April 27th of 1958 and stretches from its southern terminus in North Carolina to its northern terminus at I-84 in New York State. This highway runs for a total length of 645 miles (1120 km) and features two spur routes: I-380 in Pennsylvania and Tennessee Route 22A (SR 22A).
US Route 50 in Nevada
US 50 is a major east-west route across the southern part of Nevada. It runs from the California border to downtown Las Vegas, where it intersects with Interstate 15. US 50 also serves as an important trucking route, as it connects a number of cities along I-15 and beyond.
While this highway has many sharp curves and steep grades, its most dangerous characteristic is how heavily trafficked it is. There are few passing lanes on this stretch of highway, which makes passing slower vehicles extremely difficult—and sometimes impossible. If you're attempting to pass someone going slower than you are, be aware that there may be other drivers attempting to do the same thing at the same time.
US Route 1 in Florida
US Route 1 is a major North–South United States highway that runs from Key West, Florida to the northern tip of Maine.
The first segment extends from Miami to Naples and is known as Alligator Alley because of its proximity to Everglades National Park and its many alligators. The road was notorious for being one of the most dangerous stretches of highway in the United States during its construction period because it traversed some extremely swampy terrain and was built close to a large number of alligators. When you drive this stretch today, you'll still see signs warning drivers about alligators on the road.
These 10 dangerous sections of highways are all on the top 10 list of most deadly highways. Here are the highways that made it:
I-75 and I-10, Florida: 1,543 fatalities in 2017.
US Route 97, Oregon: 615 fatalities in 2017.
US Route 2, Montana: 477 fatalities in 2017.
US Route 395 and California State Route 108 (HWY 108), California: Their combined highway death tolls were 972 over two years.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension (PA Turnpike NE), Pennsylvania: 552 fatalities in 9 months.
We hope that you’ve found this list of the most dangerous highways in the country helpful. We know that there are many other stretches that could be added, but these are some of the most notable and deadliest sections of highway out there. If you’re driving on any of these roads, make sure to stay alert and drive carefully.
