Winter is one of Northern California’s loveliest seasons. The arrival of snow brings both gorgeous landscapes and plenty of recreation opportunities. However, it also brings something else: dangerous roads. Everybody who has experienced it knows that winter driving can be a real hassle, and it can turn incredibly dangerous in an instant. Every Northern Californian should be cautious on the roads this season, but there’s one highway that you might want to stay away from altogether. Considered the most dangerous road in NorCal for winter driving, this road is no joke.

Every Northern Californian knows that driving during winter conditions can be somewhat terrifying.

Patrick Dirden/Flickr Everybody in our region of the state should take caution while driving this winter, but there’s one highway, in particular, you should be wary of: Interstate 80.

Interstate 80 is a major east-west route that starts in San Francisco and makes its way across the state to Donner Summit before crossing into Nevada.

Todd Lappin/Flickr It’s a widely used highway that can become extremely dangerous during the wintertime.

There have already been several major accidents on the interstate this year, some of which have been fatal.

Todd Lappin/Flickr Additionally, some especially rough conditions forces several closures on the highway what seems like every season.

Strangely enough, more and more accidents have been occurring with each winter.

Todd Lappin/Flickr According to this Sierra Sun article, a huge jump in the number of accidents occurred in 2015 when there was a reported number of 24 accidents, double the amount of 2014’s 12 accidents! In 2016, accidents spiked again at nearly 60. Yikes!

A good chunk of accidents often occurs when the roads are wet or icy.

Patrick Dirden/Flickr Add obstructed visibility due to snow into the mix and you’ve got a pretty potent recipe for disaster. Currently, the Sierra portion of the highway is known to be especially snow-ridden.

In general, authorities strongly suggest that people either stay home or find an alternative route during heavy winter conditions.

Todd Lappin/Flickr If you must drive on I-80, be sure to reduce your speed and leave plenty of room between yourself and other vehicles. Most importantly, stay safe.

Have you driven on Northern California’s most dangerous road during winter? What other highways should we keep an eye out for this season? Let us know in the comments. We could probably use a good reminder of why winter is so amazing right about now. Take a look at our article 8 Enchanting Winter Towns In Northern California for some inspiration!

Patrick Dirden/Flickr

Everybody in our region of the state should take caution while driving this winter, but there’s one highway, in particular, you should be wary of: Interstate 80.

Todd Lappin/Flickr

It’s a widely used highway that can become extremely dangerous during the wintertime.

Additionally, some especially rough conditions forces several closures on the highway what seems like every season.

According to this Sierra Sun article, a huge jump in the number of accidents occurred in 2015 when there was a reported number of 24 accidents, double the amount of 2014’s 12 accidents! In 2016, accidents spiked again at nearly 60. Yikes!

Add obstructed visibility due to snow into the mix and you’ve got a pretty potent recipe for disaster. Currently, the Sierra portion of the highway is known to be especially snow-ridden.

If you must drive on I-80, be sure to reduce your speed and leave plenty of room between yourself and other vehicles. Most importantly, stay safe.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Interstate 80 Business Loop, I-80BL, Sacramento, CA, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

Dangerous Road in Northern California February 04, 2022 Tori Jane What are some dangerous areas in Northern California?   Northern California sure is beautiful, but with that beauty tends to come some dangerous areas and places. NorCal is known for its incredible redwood and sequoia forests, amazing mountain ranges, and so much more, but it’s also risky if you end up in the wrong place at the wrong time (like in the mountains during a blizzard). Some of the most dangerous areas in all of Northern California include Yosemite National Park, of all places, which is actually the single most dangerous National Park in the United States, averaging from 14 to 19 deaths annually – with the Grand Canyon coming in at a close second. Donner Pass is beautiful, and a great place to enjoy the snow, but you don’t want to get caught there in, say, a blizzard, like we just mentioned. Many folks have met a miserable end in those beautiful mountains, so they’re not to be taken lightly. Oh, and you’ll also want to watch out in any areas where you might find some of NorCal’s most dangerous critters, like bears, mountain lions, venomous snakes, dangerous spiders, and more. Oh, and then there are the volcanoes, which you can read more about in this article.  What are the most dangerous places in Northern California?   Like we said: Northern California is relatively safe, even in the cities, but that still doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Like anywhere else, it’s got its seedier, less-safe spots you might want to avoid being in alone at night. Some of those places include the Bay Area, which is actually the United States’ #1 most dangerous city area! Other more dangerous-than-most cities and towns include Oakland, Emeryville, Richmond, and San Pablo. Stockton, California, is another somewhat risky place to be walking around by yourself, but don’t get us wrong: each of these towns have their own charms, too, and if you stay in the safer zones, you ought to be fine.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Dangerous Road in Northern California

February 04, 2022

Tori Jane

What are some dangerous areas in Northern California?   Northern California sure is beautiful, but with that beauty tends to come some dangerous areas and places. NorCal is known for its incredible redwood and sequoia forests, amazing mountain ranges, and so much more, but it’s also risky if you end up in the wrong place at the wrong time (like in the mountains during a blizzard). Some of the most dangerous areas in all of Northern California include Yosemite National Park, of all places, which is actually the single most dangerous National Park in the United States, averaging from 14 to 19 deaths annually – with the Grand Canyon coming in at a close second. Donner Pass is beautiful, and a great place to enjoy the snow, but you don’t want to get caught there in, say, a blizzard, like we just mentioned. Many folks have met a miserable end in those beautiful mountains, so they’re not to be taken lightly. Oh, and you’ll also want to watch out in any areas where you might find some of NorCal’s most dangerous critters, like bears, mountain lions, venomous snakes, dangerous spiders, and more. Oh, and then there are the volcanoes, which you can read more about in this article.  What are the most dangerous places in Northern California?   Like we said: Northern California is relatively safe, even in the cities, but that still doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Like anywhere else, it’s got its seedier, less-safe spots you might want to avoid being in alone at night. Some of those places include the Bay Area, which is actually the United States’ #1 most dangerous city area! Other more dangerous-than-most cities and towns include Oakland, Emeryville, Richmond, and San Pablo. Stockton, California, is another somewhat risky place to be walking around by yourself, but don’t get us wrong: each of these towns have their own charms, too, and if you stay in the safer zones, you ought to be fine.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Northern California sure is beautiful, but with that beauty tends to come some dangerous areas and places. NorCal is known for its incredible redwood and sequoia forests, amazing mountain ranges, and so much more, but it’s also risky if you end up in the wrong place at the wrong time (like in the mountains during a blizzard). Some of the most dangerous areas in all of Northern California include Yosemite National Park, of all places, which is actually the single most dangerous National Park in the United States, averaging from 14 to 19 deaths annually – with the Grand Canyon coming in at a close second. Donner Pass is beautiful, and a great place to enjoy the snow, but you don’t want to get caught there in, say, a blizzard, like we just mentioned. Many folks have met a miserable end in those beautiful mountains, so they’re not to be taken lightly. Oh, and you’ll also want to watch out in any areas where you might find some of NorCal’s most dangerous critters, like bears, mountain lions, venomous snakes, dangerous spiders, and more. Oh, and then there are the volcanoes, which you can read more about in this article. 

What are the most dangerous places in Northern California?  

Like we said: Northern California is relatively safe, even in the cities, but that still doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Like anywhere else, it’s got its seedier, less-safe spots you might want to avoid being in alone at night. Some of those places include the Bay Area, which is actually the United States’ #1 most dangerous city area! Other more dangerous-than-most cities and towns include Oakland, Emeryville, Richmond, and San Pablo. Stockton, California, is another somewhat risky place to be walking around by yourself, but don’t get us wrong: each of these towns have their own charms, too, and if you stay in the safer zones, you ought to be fine.