Three highways in California ranked among the worst-regarded roads in the country, according to a new survey.
An October 2023 poll from auto manufacturer Volvo ranked the top 100 most hated highways in the United States. The top 10 appear above
Drivers in Colorado, New York, Illinois and New Jersey are also just as frustrated with some of their main roads. Those states also found their major routes in those states among the ten worst roads in America.
Recently, Volvo Cars of Daytona Beach compiled a list of the 100 most hated roads in the US based on a poll of 3,000 drivers. The list is sure to cause debate among drivers who traverse US roads – as many believe their commute is the worst.
As for which road is most loathed? Go West, drivers.
California’s US-101 ranked as the most loathed highway in the United States, according to a poll of 3,000 drivers
US-101 in California
Motorists ranked California’s US-101 as the most frustrating road in the country, particularly in the densely populated regions of San Francisco and Los Angeles. The highway is notorious for frequent bottlenecks and significant congestion.
Another contributor to traffic is the road’s positioning across several major tourist attractions including Redwood National Park and Yosemite National Park.
‘The traffic pace can decelerate to speeds slower than an average person’s walking pace, particularly noticeable during high-density travel times. Additionally, the highway traverses several major tourist attractions, adding to the traffic volume,’ Volvo noted.
Persistent heavy traffic conditions are made worse during rush hour times, when the pace slows to a crawl. Traffic slows on US-101 following a 2019 crash
I-5 in California
No. 2 most hated was I-5, which runs the length of California. The road is a vital artery spanning from San Diego to Oregon, but its segment through Los Angeles is characterized by bottlenecking and seemingly endless construction, causing further delays.
In addition to the sluggish commute, this highway also has an unfortunate reputation as one punctuated by fatal crashes.
The route recorded 192 fatalities in 2019, making it the deadliest road in the state, followed by US-101 with 139 fatalities.
The survey, which relies on responses from 3,000 Americans, puts another California road, I-5, in the second spot due to ongoing construction and bottlenecking
I-405 in California
At No. 3 is I-405, or the San Diego freeway, which has earned a reputation as the busiest and most congested highway in the entire country.
The road is infamous for its gridlock, particularly around Los Angeles, and has earned a reputation as one of the most congested freeways in the United States. According to 2021 data, the interstate had a crash rate of 1.042 crashes per mile.
The freeway’s Sepulveda Pass, adjacent to the Santa Monica mountains, presents additional geographical challenges that further compound the congestion.
Last month, one person was killed in a multi-vehicle crash that halted early morning traffic near Van Nuys, according to ABC 7. The collision was initially believed to be caused by a wrong-way driver, but authorities later concluded one of the cars spun out after hitting the center divider.
Rounding out the top three is I-405, or the San Diego freeway, which has earned the reputation of the most congested highway in the United States
I-76 in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Turnpike, or I-76, is ill-famed for its congestion and unstable traffic patterns, especially as the route climbs into the Schuylkill Expressway in Philadelphia, where sudden slowdowns are common.
The turnpike is peppered with toll plazas that often lead to crowding, despite progressive EZ-Pass systems. The highway’s aging infrastructure further complicates things, as it is often undergoing maintenance, causing unpredictable lane closures.
Weather plays a crucial role too, with the four-season climate introducing icy winter roadways and summer thunderstorms. The natural world has proven to be a threat: earlier this month, eastbound lanes in Lower Merion were closed following a downed tree that caused a three-car pile up.
Pennsylvania’s I-76 ranked fairly high on the list due to its unpredictable slowdowns and inclement weather that further complicates the commute
I-70 in Colorado
Colorado’s I-70 is known for traffic snarls, particularly through the mountain corridor. These are made worse during ski season and inclement weather. The corridor becomes a bottleneck of vacationers between Denver and popular resorts during ski season.
The road slices through the state’s iconic Rocky Mountains, presenting a unique set of challenges for drivers. At an elevation of 11,158 feet, the Eisenhower Tunnel poses a unique challenge: as one of the highest vehicular tunnels in the world, it is often shuttered during heavy snowstorms.
On December 8, five people were injured amid a pileup of 21 vehicles in Western Colorado, according to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.
Seventeen cars and four semi-trucks were involved in the crash, which remains under investigation.
Colorado’s I-70 fell within the top 10. Traffic snarls through the mountain corridor are made worse as travelers flock to popular ski destinations
I-65 in Alabama
Alabama’s I-65 falls victim to congestion, particularly around Birmingham, Volvo noted. The road has faced various infrastructure improvement projects over the years, only worsening the holdups. It is also plagued with accidents.
In 2020, the state registered 14,891 interstate crashes, according to data from the Alabama Department of Transportation; 120 of these were fatalities.
I-65 in Alabama has faced various infrastructure improvement projects over the years that only worsen the traffic jams
DE-1 in Delaware
Delaware’s DE-1 can see significant delays, especially around Dover and beach-bound routes during the summer.
One of the most notorious crashes to happen along this route was in July 2018, when welder Alvin Hubber III was driving south with a co-worker. His truck crossed the median and struck a car carrying a family from Teaneck, New Jersey, as they returned from a vacation in Maryland, according to the News Journal.
The collision claimed the lives of 61-year-old Audie Trinidad and his daughters, Kaitlyn, 20, Danna, 17, and twins Allison and Melissa, 13. Hubbard was sentenced in November 2019 to one year of probation, after he faced mother and widow Mary Rose Ballocanag in court.
‘His one life will never be enough for the five people he killed,’ Ballocanag said as she pleaded with the judge for a longer sentence.
Delaware’s DE-1 can see significant delays, but was also home to a notorious crash in 2018 that claimed the lives of five family members
I-87 in New York
I-87 in New York causes frustration for drivers across the state, from the Big Apple to the northernmost regions.
‘Especially around New York City and Albany, traffic jams can be frequent,’ Volvo noted.
Just last month, a fiery car crash on I-87 in Tarrytown, New York, left one man dead after his car veered from the road.
In 2019, CBS News named I-87 the deadliest highway in New York state after reviewing data spanning from 2008 to 2017. They found that approximately 19 fatalities occur along the highway each year.
New York’s I-87 is hated in both upstate and downstate regions. In addition to frustrating, it is also surprisingly dangerous – in 2019, CBS News named it the deadliest highway in New York
I-90/I-94 in Illinois
In Illinois, I-90/I-94 in Illinois, or the Dan Ryan and Kennedy Expressways, are adjoining interstates known for heavy traffic and frequent delays.
In October, the inbound and outbound Kennedy Expressway was closed following an early-morning crash on Chicago’s Northwest Side, according to ABC 7. State police said a semi-truck and three vehicles collided, prompting a Level 1 hazmat issue for a diesel spill as crews tended to the truck, which was stamped with an ‘explosives’ emblem.
In 2022, there were 191 fatal interstate crashes according to data from Illinois Department of Transportation.
Chicago’s Dan Ryan Expressway and Kennedy Expressway are seen here, looping in with the Eisenhower Expressway. These adjoining interstates are known for heavy traffic
Garden State Parkway in New Jersey
Rounding out the top 10 is New Jersey’s Garden State Parkway. The Garden State faces heavy congestion, particularly on summer weekends, as the routes leading to and from the Jersey Shore become packed with vacationers.
Most recent data from the New Jersey Department of Transportation shows 19 fatal crashes spanning multiple counties in the state.
Rounding out the top 10 is New Jersey’s Garden State Parkway, which sees frequent delays during the summer months as vacationers flock to and from the Jersey Shore
Beyond frustrating gridlock, perilous road conditions often have deadly consequences. More than 46,000 people were killed on U.S. roads last year, according to the National Safety Council, marking a 22 percent rise from pre-pandemic levels.
Lorraine Martin, council president and CEO, said the loss of life amounted to a ‘regional jet carrying 100 people crash, killing everyone on board every day.’ He encouraged motorists to buckle up and obey the speed limit.
On October 13, California Governor Gavin Newsom approved AB 645, a bill authorizing six cities including L.A. and San Francisco to install cameras in school zones and streets with known speeding problems.
The bill was championed by advocates with Streets Are For Everyone, a local road safety group, whose executive director, Damian Kevitt, described speeding as ‘a public health crisis.’