US Worst Highways 9-29-25

AI Overview

The worst highways in the U.S. are often identified by high fatality rates and include Interstate 95 (I-95) on the East Coast, Interstate 4 (I-4) in Florida, and Interstate 285 (I-285) in Atlanta due to high traffic volume and congestion. Other highways frequently cited include Interstate 5 (I-5), Interstate 75 (I-75) and various dangerous roads in mountainous or high-traffic areas like Montana's Highway 2 and Colorado's Million Dollar Highway.  

High-Fatality Interstate Highways 

Interstate 95 (I-95): This major East Coast artery is often cited as the most dangerous due to its heavy traffic, high population density, and significant number of fatalities per 100 miles. 

Interstate 4 (I-4): Located in Florida, I-4 is known for a high volume of crashes and fatalities, partly due to heavy tourist congestion. 

Interstate I-5 As the primary West Coast interstate, I-5 carries significant traffic and has a high number of fatalities, particularly in densely populated areas of California. 

Interstate I-75 This route from Florida to Michigan also experiences high traffic and congestion, contributing to its dangerous reputation. 

Interstate 285 (I-285): The "Atlanta Perimeter" highway is known for heavy congestion and high traffic volume, leading to many accidents. 

Other Dangerous and Hazardous Roads

Highway 1 (Florida): This highway has one of the highest numbers of crashes and fatalities in Florida. 

Dalton Highway (Alaska): Known for its extreme remoteness, the Dalton Highway presents unique dangers for drivers who travel it. 

Million Dollar Highway (Colorado): A particularly challenging mountain road known for its steep cliffs and tight turns, it's considered especially dangerous for truck drivers. 

State Road 138 (California): Nicknamed the "Death Trap Highway," it features dangerous drop-offs, poor visibility, and sharp turns. 

Highway 2 (Montana): This route's vast, open stretches can encourage drivers to speed, leading to dangerous conditions. 

While it is difficult to name the single "worst" highway in the US due to varying metrics like congestion, safety, and road quality, several are consistently cited for being particularly bad. For safety, the most dangerous include I-95, I-20, and I-5, while for congestion, locations in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago are frequently identified. Poor road conditions plague many state road systems, especially in Rhode Island and California. 

Most dangerous highways

Safety rankings often highlight long-distance interstates with high traffic volume and frequent junctions. Using fatality rates per 100 miles, some of the most consistently dangerous highways include:

·       Interstate 95: A main artery on the East Coast with the most total fatalities in the U.S. in 2019 and a high fatality rate per 100 miles. Factors contributing to its danger include heavy traffic, winter weather conditions in the Northeast, and congestion in metropolitan areas like Florida.

·       Interstate 20: Despite being shorter than other interstates, its path through high-traffic cities like Dallas, Jackson, and Atlanta contributes to its high accident rates and ranking as a deadly southern highway.

·       Interstate 5: Running parallel to the Pacific Coast, I-5 passes through several major California counties, including Los Angeles and San Diego. Its high volume of truck traffic and urban congestion contribute to a high number of fatalities.

·       Interstate 4: A shorter route connecting Tampa and Daytona Beach, this highway is considered the deadliest per-mile due to a deadly combination of tourist congestion and local commutes.

·       I-45, Texas

: The Houston area stretch of this highway is particularly deadly, with many accidents attributed to high traffic volume during peak hours.

·       Dalton Highway, Alaska

: A remote industrial road known for difficult terrain, steep grades, and few services, this highway is considered a treacherous route. 

Most congested highways

Heavy traffic is a top complaint for American drivers. According to analyses of vehicle hours lost to congestion, the most congested locations and highway stretches include:

Los Angeles, Ca

I-5 and I-405, particularly the infamous Sepulveda Pass on the 405, are notorious for gridlock. The entire metro area is consistently ranked among the most congested in the country. 

Chicago, Il

I-90 and I-290 contain multiple stretches that rank among the most congested road corridors in the US. 

New York City, Ny

The Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (I-278) and the Cross Bronx Expressway (I-95) are famously congested, with drivers losing significant time each year. 

Stamford, Ct

A section of I-95 Southbound between Westport and Stamford was named the most congested corridor in the US for vehicle hours lost. 

Atlanta, Ga

Interstates 75 and 285 in Atlanta are among the busiest in the country, with heavy traffic contributing to congestion. 

States with the worst overall roads

These states rank poorly based on road quality metrics like the percentage of roads in "poor" condition.

·       Rhode Island: Has some of the highest percentages of roads rated in poor condition, according to recent studies.

·       California: Ranks poorly due to widespread congestion and a high percentage of roads in "poor" condition, though it spends billions on infrastructure.

·       New Jersey and Hawaii: Both states have a significant percentage of their roads classified as being in poor condition.

·       New Mexico: Ranks among the worst states for overall road condition, with a high percentage of both urban and rural roads in poor shape. 

Factors contributing to bad highways

·       Funding issues: Despite a new federal infrastructure law, decades of deferred maintenance and inadequate funding have resulted in worsening road conditions.

·       High traffic volume: Many major interstates were not built to handle the sheer volume of traffic they now face, especially in and around densely populated cities.

·       Weather extremes: Temperature variations, freezing and thawing cycles, and heavy weather can cause significant damage to road surfaces over time, leading to potholes and cracks.

·       Construction and maintenance: Inconsistent standards and poorly managed repair projects can also contribute to worsening conditions. 

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Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader