The 10 Most Dangerous Roads in California

While California may not have roads as notoriously dangerous as those featured in documentaries about the world’s most treacherous routes—where hairpin turns and the absence of guardrails create an adrenaline-pumping yet hazardous journey—the state’s roads are not without their risks. 

With a population of approximately 39 million residents in 2023 and a significant influx of tourists, California experiences heavy traffic on its roadways. This number increases the chances of accidents. Even a minor judgment lapse leads to severe consequences. Around 200,000 car accidents occur annually in California, resulting in approximately 3,000 fatalities. These alarming statistics position the state among the top three in the country in terms of traffic-related deaths.

Safety should be the first priority because we use these roads to commute to work or drop our children off at school. No road is entirely risk-free. But, some routes pose more significant dangers than others. For instance, Forbes has identified Interstate 5, linking California and Nevada, as one of the most hazardous roads in the US. 

In the following section, we will shed light on California’s ten most dangerous roads, emphasizing the importance of exercising heightened caution when navigating these thoroughfares.

What Makes a Road Dangerous?

Data from the National Highway Traffic Administration shows all the 10 most dangerous stretches in the US are highways. This means you are more likely to be involved in a car accident while driving on a highway than on regular roads. People drive at high speeds on highways because they are well-maintained, and it’s unlikely to hit an object or run into a hole. Unfortunately, high speed is usually the primary cause of accidents on highways. 

Nevertheless, even rural roads can be dangerous. Therefore it’s crucial to exercise caution more so if you are using the road for the first time. Here are some things that make a road difficult.

• Sharp turns – Roads with sharp turns are hazardous and should be cautiously approached. Drivers should also maintain a safe speed and following distance.
• Missing or poorly painted lines – Lines on the road enable drivers to know their driving space. But drivers can miscalculate when the lines are absent or not visible, making the road dangerous.
• Lack of road signs – Road signs tell drivers what is ahead. Imagine a missing pedestrian crossing sign – this can lead to massive fatalities.
• Steep drop-offs – This goes without saying such roads are dangerous, and drivers should be cautious.
• Missing guardrails – Guardrails are meant to prevent vehicles from going over in case of an accident. The lack of guardrails increases the risk of cars falling off steep roads.
• Massive traffic at high speed is a common category for most highways. There is little room for errors when high traffic and everyone moves quickly. A simple mistake can cause a devastating accident.

10 Most Dangerous Roads in California

1. Interstate 15 – Hesperia to Cajun Junction

Interstate 15 has consistently held the unfortunate distinction of being one of the most perilous stretches in California, frequently appearing at the top of the list of deadliest roads in the United States. This notorious section serves as a vital connection between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, accommodating a significant influx of travelers entering and departing Sin City. 

Tragically, a key contributing factor to this highway’s alarmingly high rate of accidents is the prevalence of impaired drivers, including exuberant gamblers and sore losers. It is quite possible that frustrated individuals who have suffered financial losses exploit the long expanse of the road to surpass legal speed limits.

The stretch runs through various counties, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. A report by Moneygeek indicates the deadliest section is the 4.5 miles stretch from Exit 138 to Exit 129 in Hesperia. The area recorded 19 deaths from fatal accidents in two years.

2. Interstate 80 – Albany to Emeryville

Interstate 80 stretches from San Francisco, California, to New Jersey. In California, it runs east from San Francisco, passing through Donner Summit before entering Nevada. The stretch has high traffic and passes the mountainous region of Sierra Nevada. 

The speed limit for the entire route is 65 mph, only slightly lower than the state’s 70 mph max. A 5-mile stretch on 1-80 between Exit 14A and Exit 8A is the second deadliest in California. It recorded 15 fatal accidents resulting in 17 deaths between 2017 and 2019. 

3. Interstate 80 – El Cerrito to Pinole

Albany to Emeryville is one of many dangerous sections on Interstate 80, El Cerrito to Pinole is dangerous too. The whole stretch should be approached with caution. The 5-mile section from Exit 15 to Exit 21 has had 13 fatal wrecks that have claimed 18 lives in the past two years. The drive is particularly scenic from El Cerrito to Pinole, so that may distract drivers.

4. State Route 17

State Route 17, called Highway 17, establishes a vital link between San Jose and Santa Cruz, traversing the picturesque Santa Cruz Coastal mountains. It is imperative to remain cautious when traveling on this route due to the reason it encounters a significant volume of traffic. The road has its own set of challenges – narrow lanes compared to the flow of vehicles, sharp bends, and blind curves. 

Maneuvering these sharp turns becomes particularly difficult due to limited visibility of what lies ahead. Moreover, occasional crossings by wild animals pose a risk to speeding drivers who may inadvertently collide with them. To fully appreciate the scenic beauty along this roadway, it is crucial for motorists to adhere to the designated speed limit, ensuring safety while embracing the surrounding landscape.

5. Interstate 5 – From Del Paso Rd. to Railyard Blvd

Interstate 5 has also made it to the list of deadliest roads in the US. The road runs from the Mexican border at San Ysidro to the Canadian border near Blaine. The stretch has many big trucks, so drivers using this route should be cautious. Unfortunately, there is little to see along the way, so drivers tend to drive at high speed. 

The Daily Beast featured Interstate 5 on their deadliest freeway list for recording 800 deaths in four years. Although the road is dangerous, the 4.9-mile stretch from Del Paso Rd to Railyards Blvd had 13 fatal wrecks causing 16 deaths between 2017 and 2019.

6. Route 22

State Route 22 runs between Pacific Coast Highway (Route 1) and Costa Mesa Freeway (Route 55.) It serves the residents of Los Angeles and Orange Counties. While the entire route requires drivers to be keen, from Exit 10 to Exit 16, Garden Grove is a hotspot. The 5-mile stretch recorded 10 deaths from 13 fatal accidents in two years. 

7. Interstate 215 – Grand Terrace to San Bernardino

Interstate 215 serves as a crucial link connecting the cities of San Bernardino and Riverside in Southern California. Additionally, it serves as a gateway to Interstate 15, which extends further to Corona and Ontario. However, this highway has garnered a reputation for being included in California’s list of most perilous roads due to the behavior of some drivers. 

Excessive speeding has become a prevalent issue along this route, contributing to its notoriety. Specifically, a 4.7-mile segment from San Bernardino to Grand Terrace witnessed a distressing tally of 13 fatal crashes resulting in the tragic loss of 13 lives between 2017 and 2019.

8. Interstate 8

Interstate 8 stretches from Interstate 10, Arizona, to San Diego. The entire stretch is 348.2 miles, with about 170 miles in California. The road has earned position 40 in the list of the deadliest highways and freeways in the US after 136 deadly accidents claimed 153 lives between 2004 – 2008. Nevertheless, the road has continued to see fatal collisions, so drivers should be more careful.

9. Interstate 405

Interstate 405 was constructed as a bypass route for Interstate 5 to ease congestion in Los Angeles. However, the area it serves has significantly grown, and it’s now the busiest road in the US. Travelers from Long Beach Airport, John Wayne Airport, and Los Angeles International Airport frequent the road. One of the major causes of accidents on this route is speeding, probably from people hurrying not to miss flights. Mainly, a 5-mile stretch near Seal Beach records one death per mile every year.

10. State Route 1

State Route 1 is the longest in California, stretching 656 miles. It runs along most of the Pacific Coastline of California and has beautiful scenery. However, the narrow road has also claimed a spot in California’s list of deadliest roads. The most dangerous part is from the Big Sur area because the road narrows to one lane in each direction, leaving no passing lane. Rogue drivers often cause traffic trying to evade following behind, causing many fatal accidents.

California’s Most Dangerous Road By County

San Diego

Interstate15 From Exit 13 (Miramar Way) to Exit 17

As discussed above, Interstate 15 – Hesperia to Cajun Junction is the most dangerous road in California. On the same stretch lies another dangerous spot between Exit 13 (Miramar Way) to Exit 17. This area has a lot of congestion, and impatient, overspeeding drivers are the biggest culprit for causing accidents. 

San Jose

U.S. Highway 101

US Route 101 extends from California through Oregon to Washington, stretching 2478 km. It has a lot of traffic, especially in the evening. Drivers plying this route enjoy high speeds, which is why it is on this list. The US Highway 101 section that runs through San Jose is considered the most dangerous, with 25% of all San Jose traffic fatalities. In 2019, 7 people lost their lives there.

San Luis Obispo

Foothill Boulevard

Foothill Boulevard stretches for 60 miles across San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains. This road is less busy than most on this list but still very dangerous. The intersection of Foothill and Santa Rosa should be approached with caution because of its history of fatal accidents. Eighty collisions occurred in 2012, claiming several lives.

San Francisco

Interstate 880 from Exit 31 to Exit 36

Interstate 880, known as Nimitz Freeway, stretches from Interstate 280 and State Route 17 in San Jose to Interstate 80 and Interstate 580 in Oakland. It is the third deadliest road in San Francisco after Interstate 80 Exit 14A to EXIT 8A, and Interstate 80 Exit 15 and Exit 21 discussed above. Between 2017 and 2019, nine people died along this route.

Los Angeles

Sierra Highway

The Sierra Highway is also known as El Camino Sierra. This highway connects Los Angeles to Lake Tahoe. One of the reasons this road joins this list is because it is in bad shape, yet it experiences high traffic. The construction happening only adds to the bad experience for drivers. When completed, the situation may change.

Major Causes of Accidents on California’s Most Dangerous Roads

Statistics from Forbes Advisor indicate 35,766 fatal car accidents occurred in 2020, causing 38,824 deaths. Most of these deaths were caused by human errors, advertently or inadvertently.

1. Drunk Driving

DUI statistics indicate that 35% of all fatal car accidents happen due to impaired driving. This is because alcohol reduces concentration, reaction time and impairs vision. Drunk drivers also take miscalculated risks like speeding and overtaking at the wrong time. More than 50% of accidents by drunk drivers are usually fatal.

A study of all traffic accidents in California from 2017 to 2019 indicates that 27% of all fatal accidents resulted from drunk driving.

2. Speeding

Another significant cause of road accidents is speeding. This is because fast drivers have less reaction time than slower ones. The vehicle also requires a longer distance to brake. Crashes involving speeding cars are usually fatal and cause more severe injuries. The study mentioned above showed that speeding contributed to 28% of fatal accidents

3. Distracted Drivers

Talking on the phone is a significant distraction leading to accidents. When you get distracted, much of your brain concentrates on the distraction rather than driving. In an emergency, this affects reaction time and the capability to make judgments. 4% of fatal accidents in California are caused by distracted driving, so you should wait until you get home to pick up the phone.

Moreover, the study noted increased fatal accidents from September to November, with November recording more fatalities probably due to Halloween and Thanksgiving festivity-related travel. So what can you do? 

Do the following if you want to avoid becoming part of statistics.

1. Never drive under the influence – Get a designated driver or take a taxi. Driving under the influence is dangerous and punishable by law. If you are convicted of DUI, you could get the following;

• Jail time
• Restricted driving privileges
• License suspension
• Expensive SR-22 insurance

2. Don’t speed – adhere to speed limits.

3. Avoid distractions – both inside and outside the car. Stop and park to make or receive phone calls.

4. Wear safety gear like a seatbelt and helmet.

5. Follow traffic rules.

Uncovering California’s Most Dangerous Roads

California is one of the most popular travel destinations in the US, with 268.1 million domestic visitors and 17.9 million international visitors. Los Angeles is California’s most visited city. This state has everything tourists want to see, from nature, wildlife, beaches, nightlife, and many more. Many of the tourists visiting California travel by road, and added to a large number of residents, California roads are always jam-packed. 

However, amidst the beauty and glamor lies dangerous roads that continue to take lives through accidents. Although this article has discussed California’s ten most dangerous roads, others remain. For tourists visiting California who want to drive around, it’s crucial to learn if the route they will be using is challenging and take necessary precautions. 

Because most of the accidents are caused by human errors like speeding, driving under the influence, and distractions while driving, drivers should adhere to traffic rules, and maybe then some of these dangerous California roads will be safe again.

Summary of the 10 Most Dangerous Roads in California

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Stefano Politi Markovina/Shutterstock.com