The 5 Most Dangerous Roads in Washington

Washington is a beautiful state that features numerous scenic vistas and roadways. That said, you need to keep your wits about you when traveling the roads of The Evergreen State. From winding mountain paths to busy state highways, Washington contains many deadly roads. If you intend to explore the state or drive on its roads, then you need to know what to expect during your journey. Keep reading to learn about 5 of the most dangerous roads in Washington. 

1. Interstate 5 (I-5)

The main north-south highway along the west coast of the United States, Interstate 5 runs from the California-Mexico border to the Washington-Canada border. Constructed in 1956 as part of the Interstate Highway System, approximately 276 miles of I-5 run through Washington from Vancouver to the Canadian border.

The I-5 ranks not only as the busiest but also as one of the most dangerous roads in Washington. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Federal Highway Administration keep track of traffic accident information across the United States. According to these agencies, the Washington stretch of the I-5 witnessed nearly 245 fatal crashes and 258 fatalities during a 10-year span from 2007 to 2015.

Around 200,000 vehicles use the I-5 each day, which equates to nearly 73 million vehicles per year. The volume of vehicles on the interstate can lead to bumper-to-bumper traffic, particularly on the busier stretches of the interstate. This traffic can lead to dangerous driving conditions as cars merge onto the interstate or change lanes. Some of the most dangerous stretches of the I-5 include between S 96^th Street and Exit 133 near Tacoma, and between Exit 119 and Exit 124 near Lakewood.  

2. State Route 99 (SR 99)

Also known as the Pacific Highway, State Route 99 (SR 99) is a major state highway in the Seattle metropolitan area. Built in 1969, it runs north-south from Tacoma to Everett for approximately 49 miles. The road replaced US Route 99 (US 99), which was replaced by the I-5 as Washington’s primary north-south highway. 

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, several sections of SR 99 rank among the most dangerous roads in Washington. Deadly stretches include Aurora Avenue between North Winona Avenue and North 155^th Street in Seattle and the Pacific Highway from South 252^nd Street and South 176^th Street in Kent. The Aurora Avenue stretch witnesses nearly 2.2 fatal accidents per mile per year, while the Pacific Highway stretch sees nearly 1.8 fatal accidents per mile per year. 

If you’ve ever traveled on SR 99, it’s easy to see what makes the road so dangerous. SR-99 not only experiences a high level of traffic but also has numerous destinations packed closely near the road. A mix of a street and a road, or “stroad,” SR 99’s inefficient layout and density pose numerous safety risks for travelers. SR 99’s multiple lanes of high-speed traffic combined with numerous merge points create the perfect conditions for collisions.  

3. US Route 2 (US 2)

US Route 2 (US 2) runs east-west across Washington from Everett to Newport near the Washington-Idaho border. A part of the National Highway System, US 2 runs for a total of 326 miles. Two parts of the road classify as National Scenic Byways. Stevens Pass Greenway stretches from Monroe to Cashmere, while the Coulee Corridor Scenic Byway lies near Coulee City.

US 2 passes through heavily trafficked parts of Washington, including around Seattle and Spokane. That said, large portions of the road pass through less developed parts of the state. Included in that group is Stevens Pass, a mountain pass that travels over the rugged Cascade Range. 

The remote nature of US 2, combined with the surrounding difficult terrain present in numerous stretches, makes it a particularly dangerous road to travel. US 2 grows even more dangerous during times of bad weather, such as thunderstorms or blizzards. While it doesn’t witness the most accidents in the state, US 2 can make accidents more perilous because emergency services may have to travel a long way to the scene of the accident. 

4. State Route 522 (SR 522)

State Route 522 (SR 522) supports traffic in the Seattle metropolitan area. The road runs through several Seattle suburbs, including Kenmore, Bothell, Woodinville, Maltby, and Monroe. At just 24 and a half miles long, SR 522 ranks as the shortest road on our list of dangerous roads in Washington.

Despite its short length, many Washington drivers consider SR 522 one of the scariest roads in the state. In fact, the 10.5-mile stretch between Monroe and Woodenville goes by the name the “Highway of Death.” It earned this dark nickname because nearly 1,000 accidents and 40 fatalities occurred on the road over the space of just 15 years.  

Travel down the Highway of Death, and you’ll quickly see how it got its name. This narrow, two-lane road has no central divider. Steep cliffs drop away from the road in numerous places, and the road features almost non-existent shoulders. The curves in the road – combined with high speeds and distracted drivers – provide all the ingredients for awful accidents along SR 522.  

5. Interstate 90 (I-90)

Also known as the American Veterans Memorial Highway, Interstate 90 (I-90) crosses the entire United States from Boston, Massachusetts, to Seattle, Washington. It travels west-east across Washington for 298 miles, making it the longest freeway in the state. It also ranks as the only interstate in Washington to cross the Cascade Mountains. 

As a major freeway, I-90 experiences a lot of both intrastate and interstate vehicle travel. Unfortunately, many people speed on I-90, which increases the chance of accidents. Additionally, the rise in distracted driving makes it much easier for drivers to get into a collision. 

A one-mile stretch of I-90 near Snoqualmie Pass likely serves as the main reason I-90 ranks as one of the most dangerous roads in Washington. This pass sees more than 30 accidents per year, making it the most dangerous portion of I-90. Furthermore, the 42-mile stretch from Snoqualmie Pass to Cle Elum witnesses almost 400 crashes per year. 

Summary of the Most Dangerous Roads in Washington

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