Interstate 45 (I-45) is most consistently identified as the most dangerous highway in Texas based on total fatal crashes. Here’s what drivers need to know.
With thousands of miles of interstate highways, heavy freight traffic, and rapidly growing cities, serious crashes are a daily reality for Texas drivers. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, our state has gone more than two decades without recording a fatality-free day on the roadways. And certain highways consistently report higher crash and fatality rates due to congestion, long rural stretches, commercial truck traffic, and challenging driving conditions.
Below, we break down the most dangerous highways in Texas and explain what makes them so dangerous. Our goal is to help drivers stay aware of—and avoid—the risks they face every time they hit the road. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a crash, speaking with an experienced El Paso car accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options and recover compensation.
The dangers of Interstate 45 come from a combination of factors:
- High daily traffic volume between major metro areas
- Heavy freight traffic serving the Port of Houston
- Frequent construction zones
- Aggressive driving during congestion
- Drunk driving incidents in dense urban corridors
The most dangerous portion runs through Harris County near Houston, where traffic congestion, commercial freight movement, and dense commuter traffic collide. A short stretch of the highway near Houston recorded dozens of fatalities in just a few years. Another analysis cited across multiple safety reports found that I-45 averaged roughly 56.5 fatal accidents per 100 miles over an eight-year period, making it one of the deadliest interstate highways in the country.
Interstate 35 (I-35) — 400 Miles of High-Risk Freight Corridor
Running roughly 400 miles through Texas, Interstate 35 (I-35) begins at the Mexican border near Laredo, travels through San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas, and continues north toward Oklahoma. Along the way, it carries enormous volumes of commuter traffic, long-distance travelers, and commercial freight.
With hundreds of fatalities reported over multi-year periods on I-35, it consistently ranks among the most dangerous highways in Texas. Some of the factors that make I-35 particularly hazardous include:
- Heavy freight traffic. The highway serves as a major trade corridor connecting Mexico with the central United States, meaning large numbers of semi-trucks share the road with passenger vehicles.
- Urban congestion. Cities like Austin and Dallas experience daily traffic bottlenecks that increase the likelihood of rear-end collisions and multi-vehicle crashes.
- Constant construction zones. Ongoing expansion projects — especially through Austin — create lane shifts, merges, and sudden slowdowns.
- High-speed merging. Drivers often move between high-speed interstate traffic and local roadways within dense urban areas.
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US Route 285 — Why Locals Call It “Death Highway”
US-285 — also known as Highway 285 or Highway 285 Texas — is widely referred to by locals as “Death Highway,” a nickname that reflects the road’s extremely high fatality rate.
According to NHTSA crash data, US-285 once recorded the highest fatality rate of any highway in the United States, and the Texas portion of the road has seen dozens of fatal crashes in individual years. Originally built in 1926 as a rural highway, the road was never designed to handle the massive volume of traffic it currently carries.
Today, Highway 285 cuts through West Texas and the Permian Basin, one of the most productive oil-producing regions in the country, and regularly sees traffic from:
- Oil tankers and supply vehicles
- Drilling equipment trucks
- Freight carriers
This combination creates extremely dangerous conditions. Contributing factors include:
- Fatigued commercial drivers working long oil-field shifts
- Narrow two-lane sections with limited passing opportunities
- Poor road conditions and limited shoulders
- Remote locations with slower emergency response times
- Heavy truck congestion moving through rural communities
Commercial carriers must comply with strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) commercial vehicle regulations, including hours-of-service limits and vehicle maintenance requirements. Because of the increasing number of serious crashes, Texas officials have designated parts of Highway 285 as safety corridors, where traffic enforcement and penalties for violations are increased.
Commercial vehicle cases often involve large insurance policies, federal safety regulations, and complex investigations. If you have been involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, an experienced El Paso truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process.
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Other Dangerous Texas Highways Worth Knowing
- Interstate 10 (I-10): Spanning more than 800 miles across Texas, I-10 is one of the longest interstate highways in the country. The stretch between Houston and El Paso carries heavy freight traffic and has been ranked among the deadliest roadways in the country.
- Interstate 20 (I-20): Running across West Texas and through the Permian Basin, I-20 faces many of the same risks as US 285. Oil-field truck traffic, remote stretches of highway, and limited emergency-response resources can quickly turn crashes into serious incidents.
- US Highway 83: This long rural corridor stretches through large portions of West Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. High speeds, fewer traffic controls, and long travel distances increase the risk of fatigue-related crashes.
- FM 1960 (Harris County): FM 1960 carries tens of thousands of vehicles every day through the Houston metro area. High traffic volume combined with frequent intersections has contributed to numerous serious accidents each year.
- SH 130 (Austin area): With speed limits reaching up to 85 mph, this toll road was built to reduce congestion on I-35. However, those high speeds can also increase crash severity when collisions occur.
What to Do If You’re Injured in a Texas Highway Accident
If you are involved in a crash on one of the most dangerous highways in Texas, take the following steps to protect your safety and your legal rights:
- Get medical attention immediately. Even if injuries seem minor. Many serious injuries — including concussions, traumatic brain injuries, and internal bleeding — may not show symptoms right away.
- Call 911 and report the accident. A police report creates an official record of the crash, which can serve as important car accident evidence in insurance claims or legal cases.
- Document the scene if it is safe to do so. Take photos of the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signs, and visible injuries to preserve key details about how the crash occurred.
- Collect contact information. Gather names and contact details from the drivers involved and any nearby witnesses.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies. Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly after a crash. It is often best to speak with a car accident lawyer before providing any recorded statement.
- Speak with an experienced attorney. Serious highway crashes — especially commercial vehicle accidents — require complicated investigations and involve multiple liable parties. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help you navigate these complex processes so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Highway accidents involving large trucks are among the most complex personal injury cases in Texas. Evidence such as electronic logging device (ELD) data and truck “black box” records can be overwritten quickly, making early legal guidance critical.
If you or someone you love was seriously injured or killed on a Texas highway, an experienced El Paso personal injury lawyer at AK Law Firm is here to help. We will listen to your story, outline your options, and protect important evidence to pursue accountability and financial recovery.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Dangerous Texas Highways
What is the most dangerous highway in Texas?
Interstate 45 (I-45) is most consistently identified as the most dangerous highway in Texas based on total fatal crashes. One long-term study found the highway averaged about 56.5 fatal accidents per 100 miles over an eight-year period.
However, when fatality rates are measured relative to traffic volume, US Route 285 — often called “Death Highway” — has also ranked among the most dangerous roads in the country.
Why is I-45 so dangerous in Texas?
Interstate 45 connects Galveston, Houston, and Dallas, carrying a dense mix of commuter traffic, freight trucks, and long-distance travelers. The most dangerous stretch runs through Harris County near Houston, where congestion, construction zones, and aggressive driving frequently collide.
When high traffic volume combines with heavy commercial trucks and urban speed transitions, even small driving mistakes can lead to catastrophic crashes.
Why is Highway 285 in Texas called “Death Highway”?
US Route 285 earned the nickname “Death Highway” because of its unusually high fatality rate. The road runs through the Permian Basin oil region, where thousands of commercial trucks transport drilling equipment, oil, and supplies every day.
Originally built as a rural highway in the 1920s, the road was never designed for the volume of industrial traffic it now carries. Narrow lanes, fatigued drivers, limited shoulders, and remote locations all contribute to the road’s dangerous reputation.
What are the most common causes of fatal highway accidents in Texas?
Speeding accounts for roughly one-third of fatal crashes, according to Texas crash data. Other common factors include distracted driving, drunk or impaired driving, and driver fatigue. In crashes involving commercial trucks, additional issues such as hours-of-service violations, poor vehicle maintenance, and improperly secured cargo can increase the likelihood of serious accidents.
What should I do if I’m injured in a truck accident on a Texas highway?
Seek medical attention right away, even if injuries seem minor. Call 911 so police can document the crash and create an official report. If it is safe to do so, photograph the vehicles, road conditions, and the surrounding area.
Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies before speaking with an attorney. Contact a truck accident lawyer early to protect evidence such as black box data and electronic logging device records.
Is Texas one of the most dangerous states for driving?
Yes. Texas frequently ranks among the states with the highest number of traffic fatalities. The state’s size, long rural highways, and heavy commercial truck traffic all contribute to these numbers. According to national crash statistics, Texas has recorded thousands of roadway deaths annually, and the state has not experienced a single death-free day on its roads in more than twenty years.
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