Truckers Name America's 10 Most Dangerous Roads

by Jana Ritter - Published: 4/04/2017

While truck driving is still considered one of the most deadly occupations in the US, the fact is that the majority of professional drivers get through their entire career without being involved in any major accidents. Obviously, the more skilled and safety conscious drivers are less likely to cause an accident but it's also a matter of avoiding accidents by staying alert at all times and knowing the dangerous routes to avoid whenever possible.

                                                           

The following is a top 10 list of "America's Most Dangerous Roads” based on truck drivers’ experiences and data compiled from the Department of Transportation and various information sources:     

                                                                                                                               

I-10 in Arizona

Arizona’s I-10 spans 150-miles from Phoenix to the California border. Because of the high traffic volume and lack of median barriers, the stretch of highway is among the nation's most dangerous, averaging about 85 fatalities per year.

I-95 in Connecticut

I-95 runs from Maine all the way to Miami, stretching over 1900 miles all together. It is also one of the nation’s oldest highways and because it runs through numerous heavily populated areas, it accounts for many highway fatalities each year.

Dalton Highway in Alaska

Alaska’s Dalton Highway is a highly dangerous route because it winds through mountainous terrain and has only one fuel stop with little access to emergency services.

Highway 2 in Montana

According to the University of Minnesota, Montana’s Highway 2 has the highest traffic death rate of any other region. Winter weather conditions make it particularly dangerous and the emergency response time can be up to 80-minutes.

Highway 550 in Colorado

Known as the "Million Dollar Highway," a specific 25-mile stretch of Highway 550 in Colorado twists and turns through the mountains at an elevation of up to 11,000 feet without any shoulders or guardrails.

California & Arizona’s I-15

This heavily traveled section of I-15 is a high-risk mix of truck drivers and Las Vegas tourist traffic. Not surprisingly this stretch has a high rate of drunk driving accidents, and fatalities and injuries due to low seat belt use.

California’s Route 138

Route 138 runs through the Mojave Desert and was named the “Highway of Death” after a five-year period in which 56 people were killed and 875 were injured. The twisty two-lane road continued to average over 10 fatalities per year until improvements in 2006 created wider lanes and clearer site lines.

I-26 in South Carolina

Known as South Carolina’s most dangerous road, the I-26 saw 286 accidents and claimed 325 lives between 2000 and 2010 alone. The accidents mostly occurred on certain stretches of the road with few guardrails and steep ditches.

US 24 Fort Wayne to Toledo

Built in 1926, US Route 24 is a main commercial route between Toledo, Ohio and Fort Wayne, Indiana. For decades, the narrow road saw an overwhelming amount of serious accidents, leading to its nickname, “The Killway.” The Toledo Blade newspaper also reported that the road was known for "gruesome head-on collisions" among tractor-trailers.  Finally in 2012, the road was widened to better accommodate trucks but it's still considered a dangerous, high-volume route. 

US 129 in North Carolina

One section of US 129 in North Carolina has 318 curves in just 11 miles, earning its name the "Tail of the Dragon" and its reputation for being one of America's most dangerous roads.

What are some other most dangerous routes for rigs to avoid?  Please share your tips and advice for fellow drivers in the comments below!

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