This Is How Dangerous It Is to Drive in Every State
The next time you hit the road, consider taking a detour to avoid these risky routes.
![mom and daughter in car on drive](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/04/mom-daughter-car-ride.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
You're always taking a risk when you get behind the wheel. But beyond human error and car trouble, the route you choose to drive and the state you're in can also play a large part in how likely you are to get in a car accident. In fact, the experts at AutoInsurance.org analyzed the most recent data from the NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and found that some states are way more dangerous to drive in than others. They also discovered that, contrary to popular belief, more crashes occur on rural roads than city streets. Even when factoring in traffic differences, the fatality rate per vehicle mile driven is three times higher in the countryside compared to urban areas.
For drivers across America, we've ranked each state from safest to most dangerous. The next time you grab your keys and hit the open road, you may want to consider taking a detour around these accident-heavy regions. And for more things you should avoid doing in a vehicle, check out the 7 Mistakes You're Making Every Time You Get in Your Car.
50
Rhode Island
![providence rhode island skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_524913352.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 4.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 48
49
New York
![new york city skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_762344239.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 5.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 965
48
Massachusetts
![Sailboats on the Charles River with Boston's Back Bay skyline in the background.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/boston-massachusetts.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 5.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 359
And for some scenic byways that are safe to cruise down, These Are the Best Road Trips in New England.
47
New Jersey
![ATLANTIC CITY, USA - SEPTEMBER 20, 2017: Atlantic city waterline aerial view. AC is a tourist city in New Jersey famous for its casinos, boardwalks, and beaches](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/new-jersey-street.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 6.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 569
46
Minnesota
![downtown minneapolis minnesota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/shutterstock_686361076.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 7.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 357
45
Washington
![Seattle, Washington](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/seattle-washington.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 7.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 504
And to see more gorgeous overlooks in the Pacific Northwest, These Are the Best West Coast Road Trips in America.
44
Connecticut
![aerial view of new haven](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/new-haven-connecticut.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 281
43
Illinois
![Illinois](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/illinois.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,003
42
Hawaii
![Honolulu Hawaii](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/hawaii-state.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 109
41
Maryland
![baltimore skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/maryland-state.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 472
40
Virginia
![richmond virginia skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_661239940.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 722
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39
Pennsylvania
![downtown pittsburgh pennsylvania](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_410812096.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,088
38
California
![los angeles california skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1024954096.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 3,357
37
Utah
![salt lake city utah from above](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1119578744.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 259
36
Ohio
![columbus ohio](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_772847002.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,053
And for some stunning routes in this region, These Are the Best Road Trips in the Midwest.
35
Vermont
![The skyline of Montpelier, Vermont in autumn with brick buildings and a church steeple](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/montpelier-vermont-skyline-no-coronavirus-deaths.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 57
34
New Hampshire
![waterfront town with a harbor and boats at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/12/portsmouth-new-hampshire.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 130
33
Wisconsin
![Milwaukee, Wisconson](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/miluwakke-wisconson.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 544
32
Michigan
![skyline of detroit michigan](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/shutterstock_1227763954.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 980
31
Colorado
![Mount Crested Butte, Colorado village in summer with colorful sunrise by wooden lodging houses on hills with green trees](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/crested-butte-colorado.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 558
30
Alaska
![ketchikan alaska](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/06/ketchikan-alaska.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 78
29
Nebraska
![The skyline of Omaha, Nebraska](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/omaha-nebraska-skyline-coronavirus.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 194
28
Nevada
![las vegas strip in nevada](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/shutterstock_1456957640.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 303
And for more beautiful drives near Nevada, These Are the Best Road Trips in the Southwest.
27
Maine
![Casco Bay Bridge spans Fore River connecting South Portland and Portland in Maine.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/portland-maine.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.1
Total number of fatal crashes: 151
26
Oregon
![Eugene, Oregon, USA downtown cityscape at dusk.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/oregon-face-mask.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 446
25
Indiana
![Indianapolis Indiana skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/Indianapolis-Indiana-Skyline.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 768
24
Delaware
![the circle in georgetown delaware](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/georgetown-delaware.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 116
23
Iowa
![iowa city old capitol building in iowa before being moved to des moines](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/01/iowa-city-iowa.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 13.0
Total number of fatal crashes: 356
22
South Dakota
![rapid city, south dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/south-dakota-1.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 13.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 103
21
Texas
![houston texas skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_561044374.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.0
Total number of fatal crashes: 3,407
Texas is a massive state. To discover more of it, check out The Best Road Trips in the South.
20
Arizona
![The skyline of Tucson, Arizona with cacti in the foreground](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/skyline-of-tucson-arizona-coronavirus-counts.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 865
19
North Carolina
![skyline of downtown charlotte north carolina](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/shutterstock_1158438217.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,348
18
West Virginia
![charleston west virginia skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_739235104.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 250
17
Kansas
![wichita kansas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/kansas-photo.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 381
16
Georgia
![atlanta georgia skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_603555710.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,422
15
North Dakota
![theodore roosevelt national park full of wild buffalos](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/theodore-roosevelt-national-park-north-dakota.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 102
14
Idaho
![boise idaho](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1207965919.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 232
13
Missouri
![skyline of st. louis missouri](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/shutterstock_1175969386.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 868
12
Florida
![seaside miami florida](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1246908805.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 2,933
11
Tennessee
![Nashville Tennessee TN Drone Skyline Aerial Panorama.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/nashville-state.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 966
10
Louisiana
![baton rouge louisiana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1161145858.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 16.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 704
9
Oklahoma
![oklahoma city skyline state capitol buildings](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/oklahoma-city-skyline-with-capitol-building.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 17.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 624
8
Arkansas
![little rock arkansas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_707739526.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 488
7
Montana
![Montana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/mt.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 171
6
Kentucky
![frankfort kentucky state capitol buildings](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/frankfort-kentucky.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 763
5
Wyoming
![Panoramic aerial view of Jackson Hole homes and beautiful mountains on a summer morning, Wyoming.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/wyoming-state.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 19.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 100
4
New Mexico
![Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/santa-fe-new-mexico.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 19.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 358
3
South Carolina
![Scenic View of the St. Michaels Church from Broad St. in Charleston, SC](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/south-carolina-street.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 21.0
Total number of fatal crashes: 936
2
Alabama
![An aerial photo of downtown Mobile, Alabama](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/skyline-of-mobile-alabama-coronavirus-spike.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 21.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 937
1
Mississippi
![jackson mississippi, capital, most common street names](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/jackson-mississippi.jpg)
Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 23.1
Total number of fatal crashes: 628