Florida’s Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads & Roadway Types

Florida’s roads, famous for scenic coastal drives and long stretches of highway, also hold a more troubling distinction — they rank among the deadliest in the country. With a staggering 380,666 crashes reported across the state in 2024, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), Florida’s roads continue to live up to their dangerous reputation. From packed tourist corridors to suburban intersections, every type of roadway played a role in the year’s alarming crash numbers.

But which roads saw the most action — and the most risk for drivers?

Top 5 Florida Roadway Types by Total Crashes

Newly released 2023 crash data breaks down exactly where Florida’s accidents happened, showing that some types of roads are far more dangerous than others. Let’s start with a look at the five roadway types with the most crashes — and why they matter for Florida drivers.

1. Local Roads – 314,886 Crashes
   Neighborhood streets and city roads saw the highest number of crashes, largely due to frequent intersections, pedestrian traffic, and distracted driving.
2. State Roads – 197,286 Crashes
   These major highways connecting Florida’s cities and rural areas experienced significant accident volumes, especially in high-growth regions.
3. County Roads – 158,376 Crashes
   From suburban arterials to rural backroads, county-maintained roads contributed heavily to Florida’s total crash count.
4. Interstates – 99,913 Crashes
   With high speeds, congestion, and heavy tourism traffic, Florida’s interstates ranked fourth for total crashes.
5. U.S. Routes – 91,086 Crashes
   Key routes like U.S. 1 and U.S. 41 saw thousands of accidents, combining local, tourist, and commercial traffic.

Of course, not all roads within these categories pose the same level of risk. Let’s take a closer look at specific roads across Florida that stand out for all the wrong reasons — ranking among the state’s most dangerous and deadly.

Florida’s Top 10 Most Dangerous Roads

Between 2020 and 2022, certain Florida highways and local roads became hotspots for serious and fatal crashes, highlighting ongoing safety challenges caused by tourism, congestion, distracted driving, and impaired motorists. Based on data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and ConsumerAffairs, here’s a closer look at the ten deadliest roads in Florida — and why they pose such serious risks.

1. U.S. Route 1 – 394 Deaths

U.S. Route 1, stretching from Key West to the Georgia border, holds the grim title of Florida’s deadliest road with 394 fatalities between 2020 and 2022. Known for scenic coastal stretches and heavy tourist traffic, this highway presents a dangerous mix of local drivers, out-of-state visitors, and pedestrians crossing busy sections in both urban and rural areas.

• Particularly deadly sections:
  • Brevard County (60 deaths)
  • Miami-Dade County (49 deaths)

The narrow portions through the Florida Keys, combined with speeding, distracted driving, and frequent tourist stops, make U.S. Route 1 one of the riskiest drives in the state.

2. Interstate 95 (I-95) – 346 Deaths

Running down Florida’s Atlantic coast, Interstate 95 saw 346 traffic deaths between 2020 and 2022, with some of its most hazardous segments located in South Florida’s urban sprawl, near West Palm Beach.

• Counties with the highest death count on this road:
  • Broward County (62 deaths)
  • Palm Beach County (56 deaths)

Between heavy congestion, sudden lane changes, and unpredictable Florida weather, accidents are almost a daily occurrence. If you do find yourself caught up in a crash, a West Palm Beach car accident lawyer can help you figure out your options and what steps to take next.

3. U.S. Route 41 – 297 Deaths

With 297 deaths statewide, U.S. Route 41 — running from Tampa through Naples and north to the Georgia border — is a perilous corridor for both local and long-distance traffic. This busy roadway mixes urban congestion with rural highway speeds, creating ideal conditions for dangerous collisions.

• Notable danger zones:
  • Hillsborough County (59 deaths)
  • Lee County (59 deaths)

Notably, 25% of fatal crashes in Lee County involved alcohol, and 14% involved speeding, making Route 41 a particular hazard in Southwest Florida.

4. Interstate 75 (I-75) – 248 Deaths

Spanning north to south across Florida, Interstate 75 experienced 248 fatalities over the three-year period. This critical freight and commuter route is notorious for high-speed crashes, pile-ups during fog or rain, and severe collisions involving commercial trucks.

As a primary evacuation route during hurricane season, I-75 often experiences rapid shifts in traffic volume, contributing to confusion, unsafe lane changes, and rear-end collisions.

5. U.S. Route 27 – 218 Deaths

Running from Miami through Central Florida to the state’s northern border, U.S. Route 27 recorded 218 deaths from 2020 to 2022. The highway’s rural segments, with limited lighting, sparse emergency services, and high truck traffic, increase both the severity and response times for crashes.

Known for its long stretches of two-lane road, U.S. 27 is particularly dangerous at night, where visibility issues and driver fatigue play a major role in fatal collisions.

6. U.S. Route 19 – 217 Deaths

U.S. Route 19, especially through Pinellas and Pasco Counties, saw 217 deaths during the study period, making it one of Florida’s most treacherous urban highways.

• Most deadly stretches:
  • Pinellas County (94 deaths)
  • Pasco County (68 deaths)

This roadway mixes local commuters, tourists, and pedestrians, with alcohol-related crashes accounting for up to 16% of fatalities. The highway’s high pedestrian fatality rate highlights poor crosswalk infrastructure and speeding issues in key sections.

7. U.S. Route 441 – 213 Deaths

With 213 deaths statewide, U.S. Route 441 serves as a critical route through Orlando, Gainesville, and into rural north Florida. This roadway combines:

• Heavy suburban commuter traffic
• Numerous at-grade intersections
• Speeding and aggressive passing in rural areas

This mix creates a high risk for side-impact collisions, rear-end crashes, and pedestrian fatalities in both urban and rural segments.

8. U.S. Route 98 – 175 Deaths

Stretching across Florida’s Gulf Coast and through central Florida, U.S. Route 98 experienced 175 fatalities between 2020 and 2022. Known for:

• Frequent merging zones
• Tourist traffic heading to Gulf beaches
• Weather-related hazards like fog and heavy rain

This route is particularly dangerous for motorcyclists and out-of-state visitors unfamiliar with sudden changes in speed limits or road conditions.

9. U.S. Route 90 – 162 Deaths

U.S. Route 90, which winds through north Florida, including Jacksonville and the Panhandle, recorded 162 deaths during the period.

• Duval County alone saw 48 fatalities.

Rural sections contribute to high-speed collisions, while urban stretches near Jacksonville see more intersection crashes and pedestrian injuries. Alcohol impairment was involved in 21% of fatal crashes along this corridor.

10. State Road 50 – 61 Deaths (in Orange County)

Rounding out the top ten, State Road 50 — a key east-west artery through Orlando and Central Florida — accounted for 61 deaths in Orange County alone.

• Distracted driving contributed to 21% of fatalities.

SR-50’s mix of suburban sprawl, heavy local traffic, and high-speed sections creates conditions for frequent, and often severe, crashes.

Florida’s Roads: A Continuing Danger in 2025

Florida’s mix of tourist-packed highways, busy city streets, and wide-open rural roads means driving here comes with its own set of challenges. Staying safe often comes down to expecting the unexpected — whether it’s a rental car suddenly swerving to make an exit or a storm rolling in out of nowhere. Keeping a safe following distance, staying off your phone, and watching for erratic drivers can go a long way in avoiding trouble.

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