Worst Cities to Drive in Every State

Special Report

Published: February 13, 2020 5:11 pm

Last Updated: March 13, 2020 10:32 pm

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

Tuscaloosa, Alabama (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

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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Anchorage (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Teo Romera

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

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20140908 07 Tucson, Arizona by David Wilson

20140908 07 Tucson, Arizona (CC BY 2.0) by David Wilson

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

See all stories featuring: Colorado

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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

See all stories featuring: Connecticut

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Downtown Dover, Delaware (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

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

Miami Beach, Florida, USA (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Pom'

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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Atlanta (CC BY 2.0) by Christian Heilmann

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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Lewiston Idaho (CC BY 2.0) by Richard Bauer

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

ALSO READ: These New Cars Are Most Likely to Break Down

Carbondale, Illinois (CC BY 2.0) by Paul Sableman

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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Davenport, Iowa (CC BY 2.0) by Alan Light

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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HA! (CC BY 2.0) by frankieleon

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

See all stories featuring: Kentucky

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Baton Rouge I-10 Ap2014 MSBrid... by Infrogmation of New Orleans

Baton Rouge I-10 Ap2014 MSBrid... (CC BY 2.0) by Infrogmation of New Orleans

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

Portland, Maine (CC BY 2.0) by Paul VanDerWerf

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

See all stories featuring: Maine

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Entering Downtown Baltimore, M... by Ken Lund

Entering Downtown Baltimore, M... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

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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Corktown, Downtown Detroit, Mi... by Ken Lund

Corktown, Downtown Detroit, Mi... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

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

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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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I-29 North - Exit 56AB - US59 ... by formulanone

I-29 North - Exit 56AB - US59 ... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by formulanone

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

Billings, MT (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Eric Fredericks

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

See all stories featuring: Montana

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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

See all stories featuring: Nebraska

ALSO READ: Cars That Lose Their Value the Quickest

Las Vegas, Nevada (CC BY 2.0) by Nicholas Cole

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

See all stories featuring: New Hampshire

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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

Central Avenue, Downtown Albuq... by Ken Lund

Central Avenue, Downtown Albuq... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

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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New York City, USA (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Pom'

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

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Rocky Mount Station (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Adam Moss

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

Grand Forks, North Dakota by Andrew Filer

Grand Forks, North Dakota (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Andrew Filer

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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Columbus Ohio by Ku00c4u0081rlis Dambru00c4u0081ns

Columbus Ohio (CC BY 2.0) by Ku00c4u0081rlis Dambru00c4u0081ns

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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Salem, Oregon (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Doug Kerr

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

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Gravel Place Tower (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Adam Moss

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

Providence (CC BY 2.0) by Chris Yunker

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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South Carolina National Guard by The National Guard

South Carolina National Guard (CC BY 2.0) by The National Guard

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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Nashville, Tennessee by Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view

Nashville, Tennessee (CC BY 2.0) by Prayitno / Thank you for (12 millions +) view

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

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_DSC1398 (CC BY 2.0) by Ben Raigoza

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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Burlington 05 (CC BY 2.0) by Scott McLeod

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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Charleston, West Virginia - Ae... by formulanone

Charleston, West Virginia - Ae... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by formulanone

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

Milwaukee (WIS) Downtown W. Wi... by (vincent desjardins)

Milwaukee (WIS) Downtown W. Wi... (CC BY 2.0) by (vincent desjardins)

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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Cheyenne, Wyoming (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Ken Lund

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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