There were over 36,000 fatalities from traffic accidents in the U.S. in 2018. Most of these accidents took place in major metropolitan areas that often have large highways and interstates packed with thousands of drivers. While driving conditions vary nationwide, in each state, there is at least one city where driving stands out as especially stressful, time consuming, and dangerous.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed traffic fatality rates, commute times, traffic delays and associated costs, and the rate of car theft in hundreds of American cities to determine the worst city to drive in every state. Data came from several sources, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System.
While most factors affecting a commute are outside of a driver’s control, some cars can help reduce the stress of driving. Certain car brands have a reputation for making vehicles that require little maintenance and have high gas mileage, which can help drivers lower gas and maintenance cost, and contain safety features to help drivers avoid accidents or keep car occupants safer. These are the car brands with the happiest drivers.
Click here to see the worst cities to drive in every state
Click here to read our methodology
1. Alabama: Tuscaloosa
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 21.4 per 100,000 (53 total)
> Avg. commute: 25.1 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 30
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,299
> Most dangerous road: I-59
See all stories featuring: Alabama
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2. Alaska: Anchorage
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 12.0 per 100,000 (48 total)
> Avg. commute: 23.0 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 42
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,109
> Most dangerous road: SR-3 Parks Highway
See all stories featuring: Alaska
3. Arizona: Tucson
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 12.4 per 100,000 (125 total)
> Avg. commute: 25.3 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 52
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,353
> Most dangerous road: I-10
See all stories featuring: Arizona
4. Arkansas: Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 15.3 per 100,000 (112 total)
> Avg. commute: 23.4 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 41
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,370
> Most dangerous road: I-40-410
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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5. California: San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 6.2 per 100,000 (123 total)
> Avg. commute: 29.8 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 81
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,527
> Most dangerous road: US-101
See all stories featuring: California
6. Colorado: Pueblo
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 22.0 per 100,000 (36 total)
> Avg. commute: 22.6 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 20
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,435
> Most dangerous road: I-25
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7. Connecticut: Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 8.3 per 100,000 (101 total)
> Avg. commute: 24.5 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 50
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,771
> Most dangerous road: I-91
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8. Delaware: Dover
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 13.9 per 100,000 (24 total)
> Avg. commute: 26.6 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 24
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,646
> Most dangerous road: US-13 N DuPont Highway
See all stories featuring: Delaware
9. Florida: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 11.8 per 100,000 (712 total)
> Avg. commute: 30.5 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 69
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,823
> Most dangerous road: I-95
See all stories featuring: Florida
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10. Georgia: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 12.4 per 100,000 (705 total)
> Avg. commute: 32.5 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 76
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,340
> Most dangerous road: I-75
See all stories featuring: Georgia
11. Hawaii: Urban Honolulu
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 6.3 per 100,000 (62 total)
> Avg. commute: 29.0 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,458
> Most dangerous road: SR-93
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
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12. Idaho: Lewiston
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 17.7 per 100,000 (11 total)
> Avg. commute: 19.0 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $941
> Most dangerous road: US-95
See all stories featuring: Idaho
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13. Illinois: Carbondale-Marion
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 22.2 per 100,000 (31 total)
> Avg. commute: 20.9 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,004
> Most dangerous road: I-57
See all stories featuring: Illinois
14. Indiana: Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 10.7 per 100,000 (213 total)
> Avg. commute: 25.4 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 48
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $964
> Most dangerous road: US-40
See all stories featuring: Indiana
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15. Iowa: Davenport-Moline-Rock Island
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 9.5 per 100,000 (35 total)
> Avg. commute: 19.9 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,015
> Most dangerous road: I-80
See all stories featuring: Iowa
16. Kansas: Wichita
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 14.2 per 100,000 (90 total)
> Avg. commute: 20.3 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 36
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,242
> Most dangerous road: I-35
See all stories featuring: Kansas
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17. Kentucky: Elizabethtown-Fort Knox
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 19.3 per 100,000 (29 total)
> Avg. commute: 23.0 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,752
> Most dangerous road: SR-9002
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18. Louisiana: Baton Rouge
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 20.8 per 100,000 (177 total)
> Avg. commute: 27.2 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 58
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $2,190
> Most dangerous road: US-61
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
19. Maine: Portland-South Portland
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 8.9 per 100,000 (47 total)
> Avg. commute: 24.5 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 28
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $925
> Most dangerous road: SR-Portland Street
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20. Maryland: Baltimore-Columbia-Towson
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 8.0 per 100,000 (222 total)
> Avg. commute: 31.8 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 59
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,390
> Most dangerous road: I-695
See all stories featuring: Maryland
21. Massachusetts: Worcester
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 8.4 per 100,000 (79 total)
> Avg. commute: 30.2 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,191
> Most dangerous road: I-290
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
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22. Michigan: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 7.3 per 100,000 (315 total)
> Avg. commute: 27.3 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 60
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $2,484
> Most dangerous road: I-94
See all stories featuring: Michigan
23. Minnesota: Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 5.3 per 100,000 (185 total)
> Avg. commute: 25.5 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,187
> Most dangerous road: I-35
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
24. Mississippi: Jackson
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 17.8 per 100,000 (106 total)
> Avg. commute: 24.6 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 42
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,323
> Most dangerous road: I-55
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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25. Missouri: St. Joseph
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 18.9 per 100,000 (24 total)
> Avg. commute: 19.0 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,154
> Most dangerous road: I-29
See all stories featuring: Missouri
26. Montana: Billings
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 17.6 per 100,000 (31 total)
> Avg. commute: 20.1 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 17
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,224
> Most dangerous road: US-310
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27. Nebraska: Omaha-Council Bluffs
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 9.5 per 100,000 (85 total)
> Avg. commute: 20.3 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,113
> Most dangerous road: US-75
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28. Nevada: Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 10.4 per 100,000 (220 total)
> Avg. commute: 25.4 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,746
> Most dangerous road: US-95
See all stories featuring: Nevada
29. New Hampshire: Manchester-Nashua
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 6.6 per 100,000 (27 total)
> Avg. commute: 28.7 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 22
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,101
> Most dangerous road: Everett Turnpike
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30. New Jersey: Trenton
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 7.8 per 100,000 (29 total)
> Avg. commute: 26.6 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 28
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,346
> Most dangerous road: SR-29
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
31. New Mexico: Albuquerque
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 15.1 per 100,000 (137 total)
> Avg. commute: 24.2 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 41
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,253
> Most dangerous road: I-25
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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32. New York: New York-Newark-Jersey City
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 3.9 per 100,000 (768 total)
> Avg. commute: 37.6 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,759
> Most dangerous road: SR-27
See all stories featuring: New York
33. North Carolina: Rocky Mount
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 27.7 per 100,000 (41 total)
> Avg. commute: 23.0 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 18
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $960
> Most dangerous road: US-64
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
34. North Dakota: Grand Forks
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 16.7 per 100,000 (17 total)
> Avg. commute: 15.9 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,315
> Most dangerous road: I-29
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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35. Ohio: Columbus
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 9.0 per 100,000 (182 total)
> Avg. commute: 23.8 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 48
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $952
> Most dangerous road: I-71
See all stories featuring: Ohio
36. Oklahoma: Tulsa
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 14.6 per 100,000 (143 total)
> Avg. commute: 22.1 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 46
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,643
> Most dangerous road: I-44
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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37. Oregon: Salem
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 12.4 per 100,000 (51 total)
> Avg. commute: 24.3 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 41
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,264
> Most dangerous road: SR-22 ODOT 162
See all stories featuring: Oregon
38. Pennsylvania: East Stroudsburg
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 12.6 per 100,000 (21 total)
> Avg. commute: 38.5 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,522
> Most dangerous road: US-209 Hamilton West Rd
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
39. Rhode Island: Providence-Warwick
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 5.5 per 100,000 (89 total)
> Avg. commute: 26.0 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 22
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,688
> Most dangerous road: I-95 S
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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40. South Carolina: Florence
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 30.6 per 100,000 (63 total)
> Avg. commute: 22.1 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 27
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,260
> Most dangerous road: US-52
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
41. South Dakota: Rapid City
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 11.8 per 100,000 (16 total)
> Avg. commute: 19.2 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 20
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,059
> Most dangerous road: US-385
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
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42. Tennessee: Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 12.3 per 100,000 (222 total)
> Avg. commute: 28.1 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 58
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,214
> Most dangerous road: I-24
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
43. Texas: Odessa
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 36.0 per 100,000 (56 total)
> Avg. commute: 26.1 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 31
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,300
> Most dangerous road: I-20
See all stories featuring: Texas
44. Utah: Salt Lake City
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 6.5 per 100,000 (76 total)
> Avg. commute: 22.9 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: N/A
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,199
> Most dangerous road: SR-154
See all stories featuring: Utah
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45. Vermont: Burlington-South Burlington
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 6.2 per 100,000 (13 total)
> Avg. commute: 22.1 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 28
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,199
> Most dangerous road: SR-104
See all stories featuring: Vermont
46. Virginia: Winchester
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 14.1 per 100,000 (19 total)
> Avg. commute: 31.6 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 32
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $972
> Most dangerous road: I-81
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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47. Washington: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 5.9 per 100,000 (221 total)
> Avg. commute: 31.6 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 76
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,191
> Most dangerous road: I-5
See all stories featuring: Washington
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48. West Virginia: Charleston
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 23.3 per 100,000 (63 total)
> Avg. commute: 22.7 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 14
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,375
> Most dangerous road: US-60
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
49. Wisconsin: Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 6.9 per 100,000 (108 total)
> Avg. commute: 23.0 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 44
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,351
> Most dangerous road: I-41
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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50. Wyoming: Cheyenne
> 2018 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people 13.4 per 100,000 (13 total)
> Avg. commute: 14.8 minutes
> Annual hours of delay per commuter: 12
> Avg. annual state auto insurance rate: $1,494
> Most dangerous road: I-80
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
Methodology
To determine the worst cities to drive in, 24/7 Wall St. created an index assessing the safety, cost, and convenience of driving in America’s metropolitan statistical areas. Data on the number of traffic fatalities in 2018 from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System were adjusted for population using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey. Data on the number of traffic fatalities involving drunk drivers, also from FARS, were adjusted for population using 2018 ACS data. Data on the mean travel time to work for the population 16 years and over came from the 2018 ACS.
Data on the number of car thefts per 100,000 people came from the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s 2018 “Hot Spots” report.
Data on the average cost of fuel per auto commuter accrued while sitting in traffic in 2017, as well as the average number of hours of delay spent in traffic per auto commuter in 2017, came from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s 2019 Urban Mobility Report and were aggregated from the urban area level to the metropolitan statistical area level using geographic definitions from the Census Bureau.
Data on the average annual state auto insurance rate came from personal finance company Bankrate. This data was not included in the index.
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