Taking a road trip across America is something everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. With so many scenic routes covering our country, there are endless sights to be seen and natural wonders to soak in from out on the road. But while you take the time to explore the states, there are quite a few roads you actually might want to do your best to avoid if at all possible. Check them out!
- Million Dollar Highway - Colorado
flamouroux/Flickr Like so many of the roads on this list, Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway is both beautiful and dangerous. US Route 550 winds around nerve-wracking cliffs that lack the cozy cushion of a guard rail and can be quite treacherous to deal with during storms. Each year the road takes the lives of those who fall off the steep sides, something to keep in mind as you’re driving along this part of Colorado! Highway 550, US-550, Durango, CO, USA
- US 129 AKA The Dragon - Tennessee
Frank Kehren/Flickr A road that’s been given the nickname “The Dragon” certainly can’t be too safe, can it? The winding road attracts motorcyclists and anyone in a vehicle who’s out seeking a thrill. The Dragon itself runs through several states, with the Tail of the Dragon falling right in Tennessee. If you’re determined to experience this road for yourself, you’ll want to make sure that you follow the low speed limit postings and be mindful of how curvy this road truly is. U.S. 129, US-129, Maryville, TN, USA
- Taconic State Parkway - New York
PR’s photo goodness/Flickr New Yorkers can unanimously agree that the Taconic State Parkway is the most dangerous road in the state. One of the main dangers of this road that tends to make people nervous is that most of the way there’s absolutely no shoulder and things are quite tight. The road spans just over 100 miles across New York. Drivers here experience an astronomical number of speeding tickets and car crashes. Taconic State Parkway, New York, USA
- I-285 - Georgia
Steve Harwood/Flickr Running right through Atlanta, Georgia’s I-285 sees an unsightly number of accidents along its roadway. Covering just over 60 miles, there are unfortunately many contributing factors to why this interstate is so dangerous. The area sees a heavy amount of traffic from the city, has quite a few interchanges and uncomfortable turns and remains a place where accidents happen frequently. Interstate 285, I-285, College Park, GA, USA
- Dalton Highway - Alaska
Arthur T. LaBar/Flickr One of the scariest roads you could ever travel along in America, Alaska’s Dalton Highway is something that should best be avoided at all costs. One of the most isolated roads in our country, the highway spans across over 400 miles and is considered to be incredibly dangerous. Those who must travel along this road in Alaska are advised to have emergency kits with them at all times, due to the harsh weather conditions that are often presented. Dalton Highway, Dalton Hwy, Alaska, USA
- Interstate 15 - Nevada
Kent Kanouse/Flickr For quite a few years now there has been more and more talk about just how dangerous Nevada’s I-15 really is. Stretching across just over 180 miles of the state, it’s considered to be one of the busiest freeways in our country. Reportedly having some of the highest numbers in America when it comes to fatalities, the highway’s biggest issues generally revolve around speeding, drinking and distractions. Interstate 15, I-15, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Moki Dugway - Utah
coloradonewbie2014/TripAdvisor An unsettling road that’s often traveled due to just how beautiful its views are, Utah’s Moki Dugway is not for the faint of heart. While stretches leading up to the main area of the Dugway are paved, the actual three miles of switchbacks that you can see pictured above are indeed not paved. Bringing you down to the beautiful valley floor in Utah, the scenic drive is breathtaking but also will steal the air right out of you due to the fact that there aren’t any guardrails. Moki Dugway, Utah, USA
- US 1 - Florida
delta407/Flickr A road that will make you feel a bit queasy as soon as you lay your eyes on it, Florida’s US-1 has historically been ranked as America’s road with the highest fatal crash rate. With over both a thousand crashes and fatalities in the last ten years, no other state in our country has had a highway see this many fatal crashes in that short of a time span. U.S. 1, Florida City, FL, USA
- Interstate 10 - Arizona
Alan Stark/Flickr Another road that’s managed to tally up an upsetting amount of death tolls, I-10 in Arizona runs from Phoenix to the California border for 150 miles. Reportedly back in 2010 the highway had a total of 85 deaths, putting drivers at risk while being in a dangerously secluded area of the desert. Interstate 10, I-10, United States
Please keep in mine, while you should definitely exercise caution on the above list of most dangerous roads in America, we are by no means saying don’t travel them! They really do offer some of the best scenery of the country… just exercise caution when traveling these routes!
flamouroux/Flickr
Like so many of the roads on this list, Colorado’s Million Dollar Highway is both beautiful and dangerous. US Route 550 winds around nerve-wracking cliffs that lack the cozy cushion of a guard rail and can be quite treacherous to deal with during storms. Each year the road takes the lives of those who fall off the steep sides, something to keep in mind as you’re driving along this part of Colorado!
Highway 550, US-550, Durango, CO, USA
Frank Kehren/Flickr
A road that’s been given the nickname “The Dragon” certainly can’t be too safe, can it? The winding road attracts motorcyclists and anyone in a vehicle who’s out seeking a thrill. The Dragon itself runs through several states, with the Tail of the Dragon falling right in Tennessee. If you’re determined to experience this road for yourself, you’ll want to make sure that you follow the low speed limit postings and be mindful of how curvy this road truly is.
U.S. 129, US-129, Maryville, TN, USA
PR’s photo goodness/Flickr
New Yorkers can unanimously agree that the Taconic State Parkway is the most dangerous road in the state. One of the main dangers of this road that tends to make people nervous is that most of the way there’s absolutely no shoulder and things are quite tight. The road spans just over 100 miles across New York. Drivers here experience an astronomical number of speeding tickets and car crashes.
Taconic State Parkway, New York, USA
Steve Harwood/Flickr
Running right through Atlanta, Georgia’s I-285 sees an unsightly number of accidents along its roadway. Covering just over 60 miles, there are unfortunately many contributing factors to why this interstate is so dangerous. The area sees a heavy amount of traffic from the city, has quite a few interchanges and uncomfortable turns and remains a place where accidents happen frequently.
Interstate 285, I-285, College Park, GA, USA
Arthur T. LaBar/Flickr
One of the scariest roads you could ever travel along in America, Alaska’s Dalton Highway is something that should best be avoided at all costs. One of the most isolated roads in our country, the highway spans across over 400 miles and is considered to be incredibly dangerous. Those who must travel along this road in Alaska are advised to have emergency kits with them at all times, due to the harsh weather conditions that are often presented.
Dalton Highway, Dalton Hwy, Alaska, USA
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
For quite a few years now there has been more and more talk about just how dangerous Nevada’s I-15 really is. Stretching across just over 180 miles of the state, it’s considered to be one of the busiest freeways in our country. Reportedly having some of the highest numbers in America when it comes to fatalities, the highway’s biggest issues generally revolve around speeding, drinking and distractions.
Interstate 15, I-15, Las Vegas, NV, USA
coloradonewbie2014/TripAdvisor
An unsettling road that’s often traveled due to just how beautiful its views are, Utah’s Moki Dugway is not for the faint of heart. While stretches leading up to the main area of the Dugway are paved, the actual three miles of switchbacks that you can see pictured above are indeed not paved. Bringing you down to the beautiful valley floor in Utah, the scenic drive is breathtaking but also will steal the air right out of you due to the fact that there aren’t any guardrails.
Moki Dugway, Utah, USA
delta407/Flickr
A road that will make you feel a bit queasy as soon as you lay your eyes on it, Florida’s US-1 has historically been ranked as America’s road with the highest fatal crash rate. With over both a thousand crashes and fatalities in the last ten years, no other state in our country has had a highway see this many fatal crashes in that short of a time span.
U.S. 1, Florida City, FL, USA
Alan Stark/Flickr
Another road that’s managed to tally up an upsetting amount of death tolls, I-10 in Arizona runs from Phoenix to the California border for 150 miles. Reportedly back in 2010 the highway had a total of 85 deaths, putting drivers at risk while being in a dangerously secluded area of the desert.
Interstate 10, I-10, United States
Want to see more beauty that can be found around our country that offers less danger? Then check out the 16 Most Magnificent Canyons In The U.S.!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
most dangerous roads in America January 07, 2022 Sarah What are some of the most scenic road trips in America? Road trips offer adventurers an immersive way to experience the splendor of America the Beautiful. But if you’d rather by a passenger and ogle the views, there’s perhaps no better way to do that, than aboard a train. There’s something inherently charming and magical about a train ride; sitting back while the world passes by, feeling the solid wood booths beneath you, with the chug of the locomotive and passenger chatter humming in the background. These 18 train rides show off some of America’s most sweeping and scenic landscapes, offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences you’ll never forget. Where are the most dangerous places in America? With great beauty often comes great danger, as evidenced by the above list of most dangerous roads in America. The same goes for this hike in Hawaii. While Hawaii is home to some of America’s most breathtaking hikes, they can also be quite dangerous. Kauai’s Na Pali Coast is an absolutely stunning, remote area of our state, and is often not trekked by the average person. Within Napali Coast State Park, you’ll find Kalalau Trail, which has often been rated as America’s most dangerous hike, and the most dangerous hike in Hawaii, as its long and steep trail gains over 6,000 feet of elevation right on the coast with rushing waters beneath. This out-and-back trail makes for a total of a 22-mile hike, and it’s very strenuous. Even though Kalalau Trail has taken many lives throughout the year, many people still take it on to experience once in a lifetime views. This is by far the most deadly trail in Hawaii, and is not by any means for those that are not skilled hikers. Another place of danger in the U.S. is Oregon; the state’s volcanoes earned it a spot on National Geographic’s “Most Dangerous Volcanoes in America” list. The list was created by government experts who took into account various criteria, including scientific data, numerous research studies, and various other measures. Read more here.
The OIYS Visitor Center
most dangerous roads in America
January 07, 2022
Sarah
What are some of the most scenic road trips in America? Road trips offer adventurers an immersive way to experience the splendor of America the Beautiful. But if you’d rather by a passenger and ogle the views, there’s perhaps no better way to do that, than aboard a train. There’s something inherently charming and magical about a train ride; sitting back while the world passes by, feeling the solid wood booths beneath you, with the chug of the locomotive and passenger chatter humming in the background. These 18 train rides show off some of America’s most sweeping and scenic landscapes, offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences you’ll never forget. Where are the most dangerous places in America? With great beauty often comes great danger, as evidenced by the above list of most dangerous roads in America. The same goes for this hike in Hawaii. While Hawaii is home to some of America’s most breathtaking hikes, they can also be quite dangerous. Kauai’s Na Pali Coast is an absolutely stunning, remote area of our state, and is often not trekked by the average person. Within Napali Coast State Park, you’ll find Kalalau Trail, which has often been rated as America’s most dangerous hike, and the most dangerous hike in Hawaii, as its long and steep trail gains over 6,000 feet of elevation right on the coast with rushing waters beneath. This out-and-back trail makes for a total of a 22-mile hike, and it’s very strenuous. Even though Kalalau Trail has taken many lives throughout the year, many people still take it on to experience once in a lifetime views. This is by far the most deadly trail in Hawaii, and is not by any means for those that are not skilled hikers. Another place of danger in the U.S. is Oregon; the state’s volcanoes earned it a spot on National Geographic’s “Most Dangerous Volcanoes in America” list. The list was created by government experts who took into account various criteria, including scientific data, numerous research studies, and various other measures. Read more here.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Road trips offer adventurers an immersive way to experience the splendor of America the Beautiful. But if you’d rather by a passenger and ogle the views, there’s perhaps no better way to do that, than aboard a train. There’s something inherently charming and magical about a train ride; sitting back while the world passes by, feeling the solid wood booths beneath you, with the chug of the locomotive and passenger chatter humming in the background. These 18 train rides show off some of America’s most sweeping and scenic landscapes, offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences you’ll never forget.
Where are the most dangerous places in America?
With great beauty often comes great danger, as evidenced by the above list of most dangerous roads in America. The same goes for this hike in Hawaii. While Hawaii is home to some of America’s most breathtaking hikes, they can also be quite dangerous. Kauai’s Na Pali Coast is an absolutely stunning, remote area of our state, and is often not trekked by the average person. Within Napali Coast State Park, you’ll find Kalalau Trail, which has often been rated as America’s most dangerous hike, and the most dangerous hike in Hawaii, as its long and steep trail gains over 6,000 feet of elevation right on the coast with rushing waters beneath. This out-and-back trail makes for a total of a 22-mile hike, and it’s very strenuous. Even though Kalalau Trail has taken many lives throughout the year, many people still take it on to experience once in a lifetime views. This is by far the most deadly trail in Hawaii, and is not by any means for those that are not skilled hikers. Another place of danger in the U.S. is Oregon; the state’s volcanoes earned it a spot on National Geographic’s “Most Dangerous Volcanoes in America” list. The list was created by government experts who took into account various criteria, including scientific data, numerous research studies, and various other measures. Read more here.
