Interstate 85 Ranks Among Most Dangerous US Highways
A 2024 study identifies Interstate 85 as the fifth-deadliest highway in the United States based on crash data.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Severe Weather
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Interstate 85 ranks as the fifth-deadliest highway in the country, according to 2024 fatal car crash data analyzed by the Hartley Law Firm. The highway recorded 11.71 fatal crashes per 100 miles during the period studied.
Why it matters
Understanding highway fatality rates helps identify which major transit corridors across the nation require increased safety measures or infrastructure improvements. The data provides a clear metric for evaluating road risk based on the frequency of accidents relative to distance.
Interstate 85 recorded 78 total fatal crashes across the year, placing it fifth in national rankings. Interstate 45 leads the list with 18.95 fatal crashes per 100 miles, followed by I-5, I-24, and I-4.
The players
Hartley Law Firm
This legal organization authored the study that identified the most dangerous highways in the United States.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
This federal agency is responsible for maintaining the motor vehicle crash data used to inform safety studies and traffic regulations.
The details
The analysis, which was conducted between August and September 2026, utilized official records provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Researchers determined the rankings by calculating the number of fatal crashes per 100 miles to standardize comparisons across highways of varying lengths.
Timeline
The study utilized fatal car crash data from 2024.
The analysis of the crash data was conducted from August to September 2026.
Seasonal Patterns
This study draws upon the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System to quantify historical safety risks on major U.S. transit arteries. It reflects a broader trend of utilizing annual crash data to evaluate and compare the safety profiles of national highway infrastructure.
Drivers using these high-traffic interstate corridors should remain alert and prioritize safe following distances. Travelers can consult state-level transportation reports for specific safety advisories and real-time road conditions.
The takeaway
Data-driven highway rankings help drivers identify high-risk routes that may require extra caution during long-distance travel. Maintaining awareness of traffic density and historical accident trends can improve personal safety on major transit arteries.
Further reading
Learn more about road safety trends in our Severe Weather section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Greenville Business Magazine.
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