Most Dangerous Roads in the U.S. 2024

An accident can happen anywhere at any time, but some roads are more dangerous than others. If you can avoid a dangerous road, it’s important to drive with extra caution. Car insurance is a legal requirement and it may help you pay for an accident that is unavoidable.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the roads that have seen the most accidents in the past year. We’ve also rounded up the roads that have seen massive pileups in a single accident. When traveling these roads, it’s important to drive more cautiously and to be alert and sober. Here are the most dangerous roads in America and how to avoid an accident on any road you drive.

On This Page

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  Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads in America

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  Top 10 Roads With the Most Fatalities 2023

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  Pile Ups: The Most Cars Involved in a Single Accident in 2023

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  Top 10 Roads With Drunk Driving Accidents in 2023

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  Factors That Increase the Chances of Having an Accident

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  Driving on Dangerous Roads FAQs

Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads in America

Do you live in a state where these roads run through? If so, be careful when you drive! See how many accidents have happened on these 10 most dangerous U.S. roads over the past year.

Source: NHTSA accident statistics for 2023^[1]

Top 10 Roads With the Most Fatalities 2023

Source: NHTSA accident statistics for 2023^[1]

Pile Ups: The Most Cars Involved in a Single Accident in 2023

The following are the largest pileup of cars in a single accident in 2023. It’s not uncommon for more than two cars to be involved in an accident, especially on a highway. See where the most deadly pile ups occurred in the past year.

Source: NHTSA accident statistics for 2023^[1]

Top 10 Roads With Drunk Driving Accidents in 2023

Source: NHTSA accident statistics for 2023^[1]

Factors That Increase the Chances of Having an Accident

Severe Weather

Severe weather patterns are more common than ever. The roads are slick and slippery, especially right after rainfall or after a deep freeze so make sure to drive more slowly when bad weather comes your way. If snow is common in your area, snow tires may be a good idea. Avoiding deep puddles after heavy rains is a good idea but not if it risks going out of your lane and hitting another car. Fog is another weather condition that reduces visibility, so it’s a good idea to avoid driving or drive very slowly and carefully when it’s foggy.

Speeding

Most accidents are caused by risky behavior like speeding and a speeding ticket is the least of your concerns. If you’re not staying within the speed limit, you are increasing your risk of having a collision and the faster you go, the deadlier. Not following the speed limit makes it hard to take unexpected turns in the road. It’s important to follow the rules of the road, especially on dangerous roads, even when traffic looks clear.

Driving Under the Influence

A DUI arrest can wreck your life. Whether you’ve had a few drinks or smoked marijuana or simply took prescription medication that made you drowsy, you are at a much higher risk of having an accident than if you were sober. The legality of the substance matters less than the effect it’s having on your driving.

Fatigue

Being tired can be just as dangerous as being drunk or high. If you’re tired, it’s best to stop and rest before continuing on. Sleepiness can cause you to be slow to react and falling asleep behind the wheel can be deadly.

Distracted Driving

People of all ages are distracted with their phones and other activities, like eating or doing makeup while driving. Distracted driving has risen 20% from 2020 to 2022 and claimed the lives of 3,500 people in 2022 . It’s important to keep your eyes on the road at all times and avoid all distractions. Setting your phone to let people know you’re driving is highly encouraged so your friends and family are aware that you need to stay focused.

Vehicle Breakdown

If your car breaks down while you’re driving, you may cause an accident and it’ll be your fault because a car’s maintenance is your responsibility. It’s important to respond quickly when warning lights appear in your console. It’s also a good idea to have your car thoroughly inspected for problems each time you have an oil and filter change.

Worn Tires

If your tires lacks tread, it can cause a car to slide, especially if the roads are wet. Bald tires can be deadly during rainfall. Worn tires also lose air pressure easily and are more prone to blowouts.