Did you know there are roughly 2.7 million miles of paved roads in the United States? That’s enough to stretch around the globe 110 times. While those roads can be fun to drive, there are also a series of incredibly dangerous highways that claim over 30,000 drivers each year.
If you have a road trip planned in the near future, then it may be in your best interest to avoid these roads at all costs. These are the most dangerous roads in the United States.
Highway 99, California
Spanning a total of 424 miles, Highway 99 travels through California’s Central Velley. Changing from four lanes to two as enters rural territory, this stretch of road retains an average of 0.62 fatal crashes each mile. That doesn’t include non-fatal car accidents.
U.S. Route 1
Notably the longest vertical highway in the United States, Route 1 stretches all the way from Maine to Florida. Its 2,369 miles allow it to be the most dangerous highway in Florida, Maine, and Maryland. In just one decade, America’s first route claimed over 1,000 lives.
U.S. Route 550
Nicknamed the “Million Dollar Highway,” Route 550 passes through San Juan Mountains in Colorado. Willed with sharp turns and winding mountain roads, both of which lack guardrails, plenty of drivers have accidentally taken the plunge over its many edges.
Oregon Coast Highway
While this highway starts in Los Angeles and ends in Washington, the dangerous portion lies on Oregon’s coast. With an average of 34 fatal accidents per year, these 363 miles are ones you may want to avoid. The scenery is beautiful, but the winding roads are treacherous when wet.
Interstate 285
Atlanta’s I-285 also makes this list. Known as The Perimeter, this 63-mile loop links every interstate in the city. Given its location, that means an intense amount of traffic. With its sharp turns and interchanges, there are accidents here on a daily basis.
James Dalton Highway
Opening to the public in 1974, this Alaskan highway was featured in the television series Ice Road Truckers. Ice is a common hazard, but what makes this road so dangerous is that it is almost entirely remote. There are only three towns along the way and the road is patrolled by helicopters to keep an eye out for accidents.
Interstate 4
This 132-mile stretch leads from Tampa to Daytona Beach. It averages almost 1.5 fatalities each mile, earning it the ranking of one of the most dangerous interstates in the country. Personal injury attorneys are quick to point out that the dangers on this road come from Florida’s laid-back texting and driving laws.
Interstate 17
Located entirely in the state of Arizona, this interstate offers stunning views from Flagstaff to Phoenix. That beauty, however, is coupled with extreme heat and an average of 0.84 deaths per mile. Take into account its 176-mile stretch, and that’s a lot of fatal accidents.
US-83
Finally, there’s US-83. This road stretches across the Canadian border before heading through Middle-America to Mexico. Its length contributes to its dangerous rating, but the Texas portion of the road holds the highest number of vehicular deaths with 26 fatal crashes a year. The Texas part of US-83 has held these high numbers for over a decade.
