This Is How Dangerous It Is to Drive in Every State

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.

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 4.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 48

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 5.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 965

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.

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 6.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 569

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 7.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 357

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.

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 281

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,003

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 109

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 8.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 472

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 722

And for more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter.

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,088

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 3,357

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 259

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.

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 9.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 57

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 130

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 544

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 10.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 980

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 558

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 78

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 11.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 194

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.

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.1
Total number of fatal crashes: 151

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 446

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 768

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 12.7
Total number of fatal crashes: 116

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 13.0
Total number of fatal crashes: 356ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 13.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 103

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.

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 865

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,348

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 250

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 14.8
Total number of fatal crashes: 381

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 1,422

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 102

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.5
Total number of fatal crashes: 232

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 868

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 2,933

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 15.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 966

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 16.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 704

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 17.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 624

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 488

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.6
Total number of fatal crashes: 171

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 18.9
Total number of fatal crashes: 763

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 19.2
Total number of fatal crashes: 100

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 19.3
Total number of fatal crashes: 358

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 21.0
Total number of fatal crashes: 936

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 21.4
Total number of fatal crashes: 937

Road fatalities per 100,000 people: 23.1
Total number of fatal crashes: 628