Safety is the first concern of anyone getting behind the driver’s wheel. Whether you’re traveling for a vacation or driving to see family, you should know what you might encounter on the way to your destination. Learn more about the most dangerous highways in the U.S. to better prepare for your time on the road.
1. Interstate 45 (Texas)
Harris County’s Interstate 45 is among the most dangerous highways in the U.S. because so many people drive through the city daily. Of the 10,125 fatal crashes in Texas between 2018 and 2020, I-45 had the most deadly accidents. It experienced 45 fatal car accidents during that period.
2. Interstate 40 (New Mexico)
If you’re passing through the Albuquerque metropolitan area on Interstate 40, prepare for traffic. It’s one of the state’s busiest highways because it connects Albuquerque with tourism and commercial trucks trying to reach the rest of the state. It had 419 deadly crashes in 2022 out of the 40,884 that caused property damage, injuries and death.
3. U.S. Route 1 (Florida)
U.S. Route 1 famously connects every state along the East Coast. While it’s busy no matter where you drive, its path through Florida is among the deadliest. The stretch of U.S. 1 through the state experienced part of the 3,133 vehicle deaths in 2018 that occurred throughout Florida highways. Be on your guard for sleepy tourists and 18-wheelers trying to reach extensive parts of the East Coast while you’re on U.S. 1.
4. Interstate 90 (Louisiana)
Anyone who’s spent time on Interstate 90 knows there are frequent access points onto the highway. When people constantly merge into traffic, there’s a higher chance of sudden braking or speeding around other cars, resulting in accidents. It’s one reason why the interstate fatalities in Louisiana are above a five-year average of 132 deadly accidents in 2022.
If you’re traveling on I-90 soon, protect yourself with a useful tool like a dash camera. Dash cams reduce liability disputes by accurately reconstructing accidents for insurance companies. If you get into an accident, your camera footage will play a vital role in getting more financial coverage or shielding you from liability.
5. Interstate 95 (North Carolina)
Interstate 95 is one of the few highways in North Carolina connecting it to Virginia and South Carolina. Drivers and commercial truckers use it daily, and it’s currently dealing with five in-progress construction projects to widen existing lanes and add new ones.
Construction might make you think of stand-still traffic, but it also makes people speed. They might think they can beat traffic by flying through an area just before construction starts for the day. Experts found that speeding resulted in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2022. Protect yourself while driving on I-95 by paying attention to those around you and factoring in active construction delays during your commute.
6. Interstate 5 (Washington)
When people discuss the most dangerous highways in the U.S., Interstate 5 often comes up. It’s the primary highway into the Tacoma area and averages 1.6 fatal accidents per mile between South 96th Street and Exit 133. Take things slow if you’re driving on I-5 anytime soon. If you’re aware that the risk of a crash is higher in that area, you’ll be more on alert and reduce your chance of getting in an accident.
7. Interstate 95 (South Carolina)
Locals, tourists and shipping companies use Interstate 95 to reach numerous parts of South Carolina. You might drive on it while heading to Georgia or during a vacation to Myrtle Beach. Either way, the interstate had 32 fatal collisions in 2021 out of the 2,186 collisions on that stretch of highway. Although the number of drivers can influence the rate of accidents, I-95 is also known for being full of debris and potholes compared to the parts of I-95 in other states.
8. Interstate 20 (Georgia)
People from all over the country reach Atlanta by driving on Interstate 20. The highway is one of the busiest in the nation, so its 109 deadly accidents in 2022 out of 9,778 total accidents that same year isn’t surprising. However, it’s always good to know when you’ll drive on more congested roadways. When you’re bumper-to-bumper in a 70-mile-per-hour zone, you’ll feel less on edge because you prepared for a short period of interstate traffic.
Protect Yourself on the Most Dangerous Highways
Reading about the most dangerous highways in the U.S. will help you feel prepared when you get back into your car. Whether you’ll drive during a vacation, your commute to work or a visit with loved ones, you can prepare for the more accident-prone highway stretches before encountering heavy traffic.
Jack Shaw, the senior Cars editor of Modded, is an accomplished automotive writer with a flair for adventure and a passion for vehicular innovation. Having written for notable sites such as the National Motorists Association, Ford Muscle, Offroad Xtreme, and more, his articles are a testament to his knowledge and love for the automotive industry.
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