Be Careful On Utah’s Highways As Holiday Travel Surges

We were talking on the radio that this coming Thanksgiving holiday some 80 million people will be traveling, and that it appears it will be a record breaking travel period. For those travelling within the state, or if you have folks coming to Utah you might want to tell them about some of the more deadly roads in our state, and to be on their best driving habits.

Utah’s rapidly growing population, varied terrain, and harsh seasonal weather have combined to make several highways across the state consistently rank among its deadliest. Recent safety studies and crash-mapping data highlight a handful of corridors where high speeds, congestion, and geography create conditions for serious and sometimes fatal collisions.

Interstate 15 remains one of Utah’s most dangerous roads, especially along the Wasatch Front where daily commuter traffic moves at high speeds through a densely populated corridor. The combination of heavy freight traffic, frequent lane changes, and weather-related visibility issues contributes to a steady number of severe crashes each year. Farther south, the rural stretches of I-15 present different risks, including rapid elevation changes and sudden winter storms that can quickly deteriorate road conditions.

Parley's Canyon Is A Snowy Nightmare

Interstate 80, particularly the section through Parley’s Canyon, is another hotspot for serious accidents. Steep grades, sharp curves, and fast-moving traffic mix with snow and ice during much of the winter season. Even small disruptions in the canyon, such as stalled vehicles or minor slide-offs, can lead to multi-car collisions due to the limited space and high travel speeds.

Among Utah’s most notoriously dangerous highways is U.S. Route 6 between Spanish Fork and Green River. For decades this route has been cited in safety reports for its narrow canyons, sudden curves, and stretches with limited passing lanes. Although extensive upgrades over the years have improved safety, the road still experiences a high rate of severe crashes because of its challenging terrain and mixtures of recreational, commercial, and local traffic. Maps highlighting crash concentrations continue to show this corridor as one of the state’s deadliest.

Interstate 70 also appears frequently in crash analyses. Remote sections, especially between Salina and the Colorado border, expose drivers to long distances without services, rapidly changing weather, and winding mountain passes. Delayed emergency response times can worsen the outcomes of serious accidents in these isolated areas.

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Even scenic routes such as the Moki Dugway carry significant danger. The unpaved, cliff-edge switchbacks lack guardrails and demand cautious driving from visitors unfamiliar with the rugged conditions.

Safety officials point to speeding, distracted driving, and winter weather as major contributors across all these corridors. While infrastructure improvements have helped reduce fatalities in some areas, Utah’s most dangerous roads continue to require extra caution from drivers navigating the state’s diverse and often unforgiving landscapes.