Interstate 85 One of Deadliest Highways in U.S.

Interstate 85, which runs through much of South Carolina, is the fifth-deadliest highway in the United States, according to a new study from the Dallas-based Hartley Law Firm.

The study analyzed fatal car crash data to determine the most dangerous highways in the U.S. The study also found each state's most dangerous highway and the most- and least-dangerous states for highway driving.

The study's data sources primarily include the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's most recently updated fatal car crash data, which is from 2024. The analysis was conducted in August-September 2026. To account for road length, the number of fatal crashes per 100 miles was often used as a comparison point.

"Sometimes, we forget how dangerous the roads we drive on every day can be," said Austin Hartley, founder of The Hartley Law Firm. "We conducted this study to raise awareness about the risks of highway driving and encourage safer habits. Drivers should give themselves extra time on high-risk routes, limit distractions, and leave plenty of space between vehicles."

The five most dangerous highways in the U.S., based on 2024 fatal crash data:

1. I-45 (Texas) about 18.95 fatal crashes per 100 miles (54 total). 

2. I-4 (Florida) 15.12 fatal crashes per 100 miles (20 total).

3. I-5 (California, Oregon, and Washington) 12.31 fatal crashes per 100 miles (170 total).

4. I-24 (Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee) 12.01 fatal crashes per 100 miles (38 total).

5. I-85 (Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia) 11.71 fatal crashes per 100 miles (78 total).