We’ve all heard the stereotypes about Houston drivers, and it looks like there might be some truth to those claims. According to Popular Mechanics, I-45 is the most dangerous road in the entire U.S. Here’s why:

I-45 is a nearly 300-mile highway that runs from Galveston to Dallas. It's the only primary interstate that doesn't cross state lines.
Wikimedia Commons/Nick Nolte
The highway became known around the world in 2005 when thousands of people evacuated from Hurricane Rita. Standstill, bumper-to-bumper traffic forced many drivers to pull onto the shoulder and sleep in their cars at night, as trips that would normally take a few hours turned into days on the road.
Wikimedia Commons/Ed Edahl - FEMA
An article by Popular Mechanics has yet again brought infamy to I-45. The highway ranked first on their list of the most dangerous roads in the U.S.
Wikimedia Commons/Dhanix at English Wikipedia

Related Stories

The Magnificent Lakefront Airbnb In Texas That Is Perfect For A Spring Retreat

The Magnificent Lakefront Airbnb In Texas That Is Perfect For A Spring Retreat

 Get Away From It All At This Remote And Beautiful Campground In Texas

Get Away From It All At This Remote And Beautiful Campground In Texas

 Experience A New Side Of Texas On This One-Of-A-Kind Adventure

Experience A New Side Of Texas On This One-Of-A-Kind Adventure
For every 100 miles of I-45 roadway, there are 56.5 fatal accidents. In a recent study by the U.S. Department of Transportation, 288 crashes and 320 deaths were recorded over a 14-year span. The most treacherous portion of the interstate is in Houston.
Flickr/formulanone
Not only does I-45 consistently rank among the deadliest highways in America, but across the entire globe as well. If you've spent any significant amount of time on the freeway, it isn't hard to understand why.
Flickr/Lars Plougmann
What exactly makes the interstate so dangerous? Officials cite traffic volume, congestion, texting while driving, drunk driving, and speeding as the main contributing factors.
Wikimedia Commons/Famartin
So, the next time you hop onto I-45, remember to stay vigilant. No matter how skilled of a driver you are, you just never know who you're sharing the road with.
Wikimedia Commons/Famartin

Click here to read the full list of dangerous roads.

Do you think I-45 is dangerous? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Also, be sure to check out our previous article for another treacherous drive: Texas’ Windiest Road Has Over 200 Curves And It’s Not For The Faint Of Heart.

 

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

most dangerous road in the entire u.s.

Jennifer Young | February 05, 2022

What is the most dangerous road in Texas?

There are several roads in Texas that are considered to be quite dangerous. However, according to several reports, one of them is much more dangerous than others. This stretch of roadway is I-45, which runs from Galveston to Dallas. The most dangerous section of I-45 is the stretch that runs through Houston. In fact, I-45 was the site of 73 deaths in 2019 alone. Since then, it's been named the most dangerous road in the entire United States. Traffic volume, congestion, texting, drunk driving, and speeding are the main causes of wrecks along this dangerous highway. So, the next time you're traveling Texas' I-45, especially through Houston, remember to always be cautious.

What are the three most dangerous cities in Texas?

Several cities and towns make up Texas, with some being much more dangerous than others. According to the 2022 World Population Review, the most dangerous city in the Lone Star State is Bellmead. In Bellmead, there are 1,294 violent crimes per 100,000 residents and 6,196 property crimes per 100,000 residents. Bellmead also happens to be one of the 30 most dangerous cities in the United States. For a list of the other most dangerous cities in Texas, you can see the World Population Review here.

What is one of the most dangerous places to avoid in Texas?

Like every other state in the United States, Texas also has areas that are considered dangerous and should be avoided. One of these areas is the Far North neighborhood in Houston. This particular area of Houston has a crime rate that's 95% above the national average. Violent crimes are a shocking 247% higher than the national average. Overall, the Far North neighborhood is only safer than 7% of the cities in Texas.

Related Articles

Featured Addresses
Interstate 45 N, Houston, TX, USA