Driving nowadays is almost a social norm these days, with nine out of ten Americans behind the wheel. That means a staggering 240 million licensed drivers.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, compared to other countries, people in the United States drive the most, with 13,474 miles per year on average. This translates into more pollution, more noise, and, sadly, more car accidents and deaths.
Car accidents can happen anywhere, even on a busy street on the way to work or to the grocery store. However, as detailed by the AAA, some roads and highways are considerably more dangerous than others and driving there should be proceeded with caution.
That being said, next time you hop behind the wheel, try to stay away from these most dangerous roads in the United States.
Buckle up!
Most dangerous roads in America:
Million Dollar Highway, Colorado
Driving along the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado can leave drivers speechless, not only due to the impressive scenery and views but also because of its intricacy. The impressive highway passes the Red Mountain Pass in the San Juan Mountains and reaches around 11,000 feet above sea level. Not to mention, it is full of hairpin turns.
The Million Dollar Highway’s official name is U.S. Route 550. The difficulty of driving on that highway is also increased by the weather in Colorado, oftentimes pretty harsh. Should you ever reach that area, buckle up and drive with caution.
U.S. Route 1, Florida
Although getting behind the wheel should be exclusively reserved for driving, drivers manage to do other things as well, such as sending emails on the phone, shaving, putting make-up on and so on. In Florida, using a phone while driving is not regulated by law, which means many drivers divide their attention between the roads in front of them and their phones.
According to AAA, Florida’s section of the highway is one of the most dangerous in America, with 87 deaths between 2015 and 2019. The highway’s southern end which links Florida Keys to Miami is full of bridges that many drivers find tiresome and frightening.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, Louisiana
Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana is among the world’s longest bridges over water, spanning across 24 miles. It has been included in the Guinness Book of World Records. No one can deny that the scenery is breathtaking, but finding yourself in the water with nothing else in sight can be pretty scary even for experienced drivers.
The drive across the bridge takes around 25 to 30 minutes, and on foggy days, drivers must be escorted by the police to prevent unwanted accidents.
I-4, Florida
According to AAA, the section between Daytona Beach and Tampa, Florida was considered one of the deadliest highways in the United States. The interstate was the scene of around 1.41 deaths per mile on the highway. This figure might be due to a highway’s section passing a highly visited portion, which includes Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, or other similar attractions. Tourists flock by thousands to those popular spots; therefore, accidents are unfortunately inevitable.
I-45, Texas
Texas’ Interstate 45 is one of the busiest highways out there. This constant congestion has prompted the Galveston-to-Dallas section of the highway to be considered one the deadliest roads in the United States.
According to AAA, for every 100 miles of highway, there are around 56.5 fatal accidents. The most common reason for crashes is heavy traffic, but the arrogance of drivers who think they can do no wrong is also on the list.
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I-10, Arizona
Interstate 10 starts from Jacksonville, Florida, and connects to Santa Monica, California, but the most dangerous section is the one passing Arizona. The reason is that the stretch is along the desert an drivers feel more at ease to speed up. Unfortunately, aggressive driving has caused the death of around 500 people in a 6-year interval.
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I-15, Nevada and California
It’s not the road conditions that make Interstate 15 one of the most dangerous roads in America, it’s the drivers. According to one study, the 181-mile section between Las Vegas and Los Angeles was on the list of the deadliest roads in the country for fifteen years in a row.
The reasons are somehow similar to I-10, Arizona. Given that it passes the desert (the Mojave Desert, in this case), drivers drive more aggressively and disregard the speed limits. Not to mention DUI, with one-quarter of accidents being caused by drunk drivers.
I-285, Georgia
Also known as “The Perimeter”, Interstate 285 in Georgia connects Atlanta to other major roads in the area. This is one of the reasons, according to AAA, that causes congestion and, subsequently, accidents.
The fatality rate on this 64-mile loop was 3.5 deaths for every 10 miles, according to a study in 2015, which turned Interstate 285 into the deadliest road in America at that time.
U.S. Route 17, South Carolina
Route 17 in South Carolina is full of impressive scenery and landscape. It’s also full of traps in the shape of turns and narrow lanes, as well as wildlife that can cause fatal accidents. Based on a study in 2018, U.S. Route 17 was considered one of the most dangerous roads in the United States in the summer season.
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James Dalton Highway, Alaska
The James Dalton Highway was built in 1974. The 414 miles section passes through Alaska, from Fairbanks to Deadhorse and is highly used for the transportation of oil. Alaska’s weather conditions are far from being favorable to driving, which makes the road extremely dangerous. In fact, it was even mentioned in the TV show “Ice Road Truckers.”
The road passes through forests, precipitous hills, and the Yukon River, but its remoteness turns James Dalton Highway into a death trap. There are no gas stations or rest stops on a portion of 240 miles and only three towns along the entire road. If something happens, you’re basically on your own for most of the part!
Road to Hana, Hawaii
When you think about Hawaii, you think about the sandy beaches, beautiful water and overall holiday vibe. Maui’s road to Hana seems like the road to paradise. Just make sure you don’t end up in another type of Paradise, as it is one of the most dangerous roads in America.
The road is 52 miles long and links Kahului to Hana. No doubt, it offers some of the most impressive views including mountaintops, forests and shoreline. However, it also offers around 620 turns and 59 narrow bridges! It’s not an easy drive even for experimented drivers, which is why Hawaii’s tourism authority suggests traveling with an authorized travel company instead of driving by yourself.
