New Study Identifies the Deadliest Highways in the U.S.

DALLAS, Oct. 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study from the Dallas-based Hartley Law Firm analyzed fatal car crash data to determine the most dangerous highways in the U.S. The study also found each state's most dangerous highway and the most- and least-dangerous states for highway driving.

The study's data sources primarily include the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's most recently updated fatal car crash data, which is from 2024. The analysis was conducted in August-September 2026. To account for road length, the number of fatal crashes per 100 miles was often used as a comparison point.

"Sometimes, we forget how dangerous the roads we drive on every day can be," said Austin Hartley, founder of The Hartley Law Firm. "We conducted this study to raise awareness about the risks of highway driving and encourage safer habits. Drivers should give themselves extra time on high-risk routes, limit distractions, and leave plenty of space between vehicles."

The 5 Most Dangerous Highways in America

Based on 2024 fatal crash data.

1. I-45 (Texas) about 18.95 fatal crashes per 100 miles (54 total). 
2. I-4 (Florida) 15.12 fatal crashes per 100 miles (20 total).
3. I-5 (California, Oregon, and Washington) 12.31 fatal crashes per 100 miles (170 total).
4. I-24 (Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee) 12.01 fatal crashes per 100 miles (38 total).
5. I-85 (Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia) 11.71 fatal crashes per 100 miles (78 total).

The 5 Most Dangerous U.S. States for Highway Driving

Based on 2024 fatal crashes on interstates. Any state that did not have at least 100 miles of interstate was removed from this list (DE, HI, and RI).

1. California: 19.61 fatal crashes per 100 miles (482 total).
2. Florida: 17.63 fatal crashes per 100 miles (264 total).
3. Maryland: 16.04 fatal crashes per 100 miles (77 total).
4. Texas: 15.13 fatal crashes per 100 miles (545 total).
5. Georgia: 14.36 fatal crashes per 100 miles (180 total).

The Most Dangerous Highways in Texas

Seven of the nation's 20 most dangerous interstates pass through Texas. Texas recorded the highest total number of fatal interstate crashes in 2024, at 545. You can find the complete Texas-specific deadliest highways data report here. Based on 2024 fatal crash data:

1. I-45: 3.79 fatal crashes per 20 miles (54 total). The highway runs through the Galveston, Houston, Huntsville, Corsicana, and Dallas areas.
2. I-35: 2.90 fatal crashes per 20 miles (73 total). The highway runs through the Laredo, San Antonio, Austin, Waco, Fort Worth, and Dallas areas.
3. I-14: 2.39 fatal crashes per 20 miles (3 total). The highway runs through the Killeen, Harker Heights, Copperas Cove, Belton, and Temple areas.
4. I-2: 2.14 fatal crashes per 20 miles (5 total). The highway runs through the McAllen, Pharr, Weslaco, Mercedes, and Harlingen areas.
5. I-20: 2.04 fatal crashes per 20 miles (65 total). The highway runs through the Midland–Odessa, Abilene, Fort Worth, Arlington, Dallas, and Longview areas.

See every state's most dangerous highway in the interactive study here.

About Hartley Law Firm:

The Hartley Law Firm is a Texas personal injury law firm serving clients across the Dallas area and throughout the state. Founded by Austin F. Hartley, the firm represents people injured by others' negligence, including in car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, workplace, and wrongful-death cases. The Hartley Law Firm takes a client-centered approach, helping clients pursue accountability and fair compensation while they focus on recovery. Learn more at hartleylawtx.com.

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SOURCE Hartley Law Firm