South Carolina Overtakes Mississippi and More US States Become Dangerous for Weekend Trips as Fall Travel Season Starts

Written By: Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar

Tuhin Sarkar is a Senior Journalist at Travel and Tour World with more than 10 years of experience in travel and tourism journalism. A post-graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, he combines strong research, industry knowledge and storytelling expertise to produce engaging, insightful and impactful travel news and fascinating feature stories.

See Full Bio

September 11, 2026 19:50 GMT+5:30

Image generated with Ai

South Carolina overtakes Mississippi and More US States and has emerged as America’s most dangerous state for weekend road trips, with crash risk, alcohol-related deaths and speeding making summer and autumn driving especially risky South Carolina is named America’s most dangerous state for Weekend Road Trips as Crash Risk Surges across the state.

The finding comes from a five-year analysis of fatal crashes, road conditions and driving behaviour. America’s Most Dangerous State ranking puts South Carolina at the top, while Mississippi, New Mexico, Arizona and Louisiana also record serious risks. For travellers planning Weekend Road Trips, the figures offer a clear warning: Road conditions and human behaviour can quickly turn a leisure journey into a tragedy. As millions travel by car, this latest research shows why drivers should plan carefully, avoid impaired driving and remain alert on unfamiliar routes.

South Carolina tops the weekend road-trip danger list

South Carolina has emerged as the riskiest US state for a weekend road trip, according to research from M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers.

The study analysed fatal crashes occurring from 6pm on Friday through midnight on Sunday over a five-year period. It used data from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, alongside Federal Highway Administration information on road quality.

The resulting Weekend Road Trip Risk Score combines fatal crash exposure with the condition of major roads. South Carolina recorded 2,230 weekend fatalities between 2020 and 2024 and posted the highest weekend fatality rate among the states highlighted, at 0.76 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles travelled.

That makes the state particularly significant for leisure travellers driving across unfamiliar routes.

Alcohol and speeding remain major factors

The South Carolina figures also reveal why road-trip risk cannot be explained by road quality alone.

Of the 2,230 weekend deaths recorded during the study period, 949 involved speeding, while alcohol impairment was associated with 1,063 fatalities. Saturday was particularly deadly, accounting for more than 1,000 deaths.

The state’s most dangerous corridors included I-26, US-17 and I-20. Together, those routes accounted for almost 200 deaths during the five-year period.

For visitors, the message is straightforward. Familiarity with a route does not guarantee safety, while unfamiliar roads can increase the consequences of excessive speed, impaired judgement or sudden changes in traffic conditions.

Mississippi follows closely behind

Mississippi ranks second in the study, recording 1,445 weekend fatalities between 2020 and 2024.

Saturday again represented the most dangerous day, with 634 deaths. Alcohol impairment was linked to 408 fatalities, while speeding featured in 301.

Road quality adds another layer of concern. Around 14% of major roads in Mississippi were classified as being in poor condition.

For road-trippers crossing the state, US-49, I-55 and I-20 were identified as the leading deadly corridors in the study.

The combination of crash exposure and infrastructure conditions means travellers should not judge risk solely by traffic volume. A relatively quiet road can still become hazardous when speed, fatigue, alcohol or poor surfaces enter the equation.

New Mexico highlights the road-condition problem

New Mexico ranks third, but its profile differs from South Carolina and Mississippi.

The state recorded 864 weekend fatalities during the five-year period, with a weekend fatality rate of 0.64 per 100 million vehicle miles travelled. More than one-fifth of major roads were reported to be in poor condition, making infrastructure a prominent part of the state’s overall risk profile.

Speeding-related deaths reached 341, while alcohol-impaired fatalities stood at 326.

I-40 and I-25 were among the most dangerous routes identified, with I-10 also recording a significant number of fatal crashes.

For visitors undertaking long-distance journeys through New Mexico, the findings reinforce the value of checking road conditions before departure and allowing additional time rather than rushing to meet an itinerary.

Arizona and Louisiana complete the top five

Arizona ranks fourth despite recording 2,410 weekend fatalities, one of the highest totals in the study.

The state registered 968 alcohol-impaired fatalities and 895 speeding-related deaths. Saturday accounted for 1,090 fatalities, underlining the elevated weekend risk.

Around 16% of major roads were classified as being in poor condition. I-10 was the deadliest corridor identified, followed by US-60 and I-40.

Louisiana takes fifth place, with 1,651 weekend fatalities. Alcohol was associated with 656 of those deaths, representing a particularly significant share of the state’s weekend fatalities. Around 21.3% of major roads were also rated in poor condition.

I-10 recorded 95 deaths, making it Louisiana’s deadliest road in the research, followed by US-90 and I-20.

You can access the complete research findings here.

California and Texas show why totals and rates matter

California recorded 8,678 weekend fatalities, the largest absolute number among the states listed. Its weekend fatality rate, however, was 0.55 per 100 million vehicle miles travelled.

The state also recorded 2,969 speeding-related deaths and 3,426 alcohol-impaired fatalities. I-5 was identified as the deadliest weekend road, with 353 deaths, followed by SR-99 and US-101.

Texas posted 8,685 weekend fatalities, slightly above California in absolute terms. It recorded 3,188 speeding-related deaths and 4,277 alcohol-impaired fatalities. I-10, I-35 and I-20 were among its most dangerous routes.

These figures demonstrate why travellers should distinguish between total fatalities and exposure-adjusted rates. Larger states with more vehicles and longer road networks can naturally record higher totals.

Montana, West Virginia and Colorado also make the list

Montana recorded 449 weekend fatalities and a rate of 0.67 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles travelled. I-90, US-2 and US-93 were its leading deadly routes.

West Virginia recorded 474 weekend fatalities and a rate of 0.59. US-50, US-19 and I-77 were the state’s most dangerous roads in the study.

Colorado recorded 1,423 weekend fatalities, with speeding associated with 582 and alcohol impairment with 572. Around 19% of major roads were classified as being in poor condition. I-25, I-70 and US-287 were the leading deadly corridors.

Expert advice for safer road trips

Nick Movagar of M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers recommends using navigation applications even on seemingly straightforward journeys. Google Maps and Apple Maps can provide real-time information about incidents, closures and other disruptions.

His broader warning concerns alcohol. Even a small amount can impair judgement, particularly when drivers are navigating unfamiliar roads.

For travellers, practical precautions remain simple: check the route before leaving, monitor conditions during the journey, avoid driving after drinking, respect speed limits and take breaks on long journeys.

The study does not mean every drive through a high-ranking state is inherently dangerous. Rather, it identifies patterns of elevated risk across weekend travel and highlights where caution deserves greater attention.

What travellers should take from the findings

South Carolina is the most dangerous state in America for a road trip, especially on weekends when the odds of getting into a crash are the highest. With millions of Americans making plans for the summer, a September 2026 study by M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers reveals which states are best avoided if you’re traveling by car.  The research offers a useful reminder that road-trip safety depends on more than choosing a destination.

South Carolina’s position reflects a combination of high weekend fatality exposure, speeding, alcohol-related deaths and dangerous road corridors. Other states rise in the rankings for different reasons, including infrastructure quality and the sheer scale of their road networks.

For domestic and international visitors hiring cars in the US, the safest approach is therefore preventative. Drivers should understand local routes, allow sufficient travel time and never combine alcohol with driving.

As weekend road travel remains a central part of American tourism, these findings provide a timely safety check for anyone planning a multi-state itinerary. A carefully planned journey can reduce avoidable risks and help keep the focus where it belongs: on reaching the destination safely.