Top 5 Most Dangerous Trucking Routes in the United States
We are all about safety in the trucking and freight industry here at RIGGUARD.
The semi truck grille guards we manufacture at RIGGUARD are made to protect drivers and their trucks from damage and with that in mind, we wanted to take a look at the most dangerous highways that our customers and clientele drive day in and day out. This list of the Top 5 Most Dangerous Trucking Routes in the United States details some of the most dangerous highways in America with steep mountain grades, extreme weather, and heavy traffic.
Where Are the Most Dangerous Highways for Truckers in the United States?
Truck drivers travel the highways of North America day and night — and many of the highways they travel can be very dangerous. Mountain highways have steep grades with sharp drop-offs and sharper turns. Highways in remote parts of the country have no cell phone coverage and few stops along the way, making it difficult to get help in an emergency. And even more highways are in parts of the country where severe weather and poor road conditions are common. These trucking routes increase the danger for drivers in an already dangerous occupation.
Here is a look at some of the most dangerous highways and trucking routes for truck drivers in the United States:
1. U.S. Highway 550 in Colorado
This trucking route located in the mountains of Colorado is nicknamed the Million Dollar Highway and is one of the most dangerous highways in the country. This key trucking route is a two-lane highway that runs 350 miles from New Mexico to Colorado with steep grades and elevations that reach 11,000 feet above sea level, making this highway even more dangerous in winter weather. There are dangerous stretches of this highway with no guardrails to make the road even more terrifying.
2. Dalton Highway in Alaska
When you get behind the wheel in your truck, it is important that you remain attentive and stay focused. Deemed one of the loneliest roads in the world, Dalton Highway in Alaska will test a driver’s ability to remain focused and attentive behind the wheel. This 414-mile stretch of highway has just three gas stations and poor cell service, making it even more difficult to stay focused and difficult to get help in the event of an emergency. When you add extreme Alaskan weather to the equation, Dalton Highway can be very dangerous for truck drivers.
3. Route 138 in California
Route 138 in California averages 10 deaths per year and has earned the nickname Blood Alley or Highway of Death by the truck drivers who travel it regularly. A 105-mile stretch of two-lane road with narrow shoulders and no median in spots, there is always a serious risk of head-on collisions when drivers lose focus. With congested urban areas and extreme weather changes on this route, it is critical that drivers give this highway their full attention at all times.
4. Interstate 95 in Connecticut
The most dangerous thing that truck drivers face on the road is not always steep grades or sharp turns — it is the traffic around them. And that is why Interstate 95 in Connecticut makes this list of the most dangerous trucking routes in the United States. Interstate 95 is one of the busiest highways in the country with congested urban traffic, high speeds, and frequent traffic jams that cause an average of 15 fatalities each year on the road from Rhode Island to New York.
5. Highway 2 in Montana
Wide open spaces and long stretches of open road make it easy for truck drivers to find themselves driving too fast on Highway 2 in Montana. Known as the Great Northern by many drivers, this 666-mile length of highway is long, lonely, and remote, which can be a recipe for disaster for truck drivers. Long distances, extreme weather, and remote stretches mean it can take very long for emergency services to reach you when disaster strikes — with the ETA for emergency services at 80 minutes on some parts of this highway.
READ MORE: What Are the Biggest Safety Concerns for Truck Drivers?
If safety is your priority on the road or you spend a lot of time behind the wheel, you may be interested in our list of the Top 5 Most Dangerous Trucking Routes in the United States. This list highlights some of the most dangerous stretches of road in America with steep grades, no guardrails, heavy traffic, and extreme weather conditions.
Contact RIGGUARD today to learn more about our semi truck grille guards and upgrade your protection when you get behind the wheel!