5 Of The 10 Most Dangerous Roads For Speeding In America Are In This Wide Open State Out West

When it comes to the majesty that the U.S. has to offer, there's arguably no better way to take it all in than by jumping in your car and cruising down the highway. Road trips are as American as baseball and apple pie, and they offer a one-of-a-kind way to soak in the country's bountiful natural splendor, as seen in this most scenic road trip route boasting the absolute best of the West.

While any state is worth touring via a road trip, Arizona seems custom-made for such explorations. With its rugged mountains, mesas, and wide-open desert landscapes — such as this awe-inspiring national park — driving through Arizona is at once romantic and otherworldly. The Grand Canyon State is a road tripper's paradise and is also criss-crossed by a network of well-maintained routes and highways that allow you to access every corner of this alluring western destination.

However, heading out on a road trip doesn't come without risks, and here's where Arizona falls short. Already infamous for this dangerous highway that may be best to avoid, as well as this historic route that is as scenic as it is dangerous, Arizona has recently gained national attention for deaths on some of its more prominent stretches of pavement. The open space that the state offers in spades makes it far too easy for drivers to step on the gas and approach velocities that put everyone in danger, so it pays to know which Arizona roads are most dangerous. In fact, a recent study showed that Arizona is home to 5 out of the 10 most dangerous roads for speeding in the entire country. Here's what to know.

According to a recently released study by TruckInfo.net, the fatality rate on Arizona's roads due to speeding is one of highest in the U.S. Five of its highways made the website's top 10 most dangerous roadways in the country for speeding-related deaths, a distinction that no other state even comes close to matching. The study released in 2025, but used data from 2022 to make its analysis.

The deadliest road was Arizona's stretch of Interstate 10 through Maricopa County, which — with 17 fatalities during the time of the study — came in second place overall (after I-15 in San Bernardino, California). Other Arizona highways that made the list included US-60 through Maricopa County, I-40 through Coconino County, Pinal County's stretch of I-10, and Maricopa County's section of I-17.

Maricopa County — which is home to the Phoenix metropolitan area — had the second-highest number of total speeding-related deaths in the country, with 232 fatalities recorded. Arizona also joined the illustrious ranks of South Carolina and Wyoming by having the most fatalities per "vehicle mile traveled" in all of the U.S., proving once again people are driving way too fast on its roads.

Despite the fact that some of Arizona's roads can be dangerous in spots, it's still an amazing state to explore with an automobile. If you obey the speed limit, you'll reduce your chances of an accident. According to TruckInfo.net, 28.6% of all road fatalities come from speeding, which is the second-highest cause of highway deaths after drinking and driving. Keeping your speed down is one of the best ways to maintain safety on the road, so resist the urge to push that pedal to the metal.

Other essential safety tips for road tripping are making sure to pack essentials, like a small tool kit, a tire-repair kit, a jack, spare tire, road flares, a bright flashlight, and work gloves. Drowsiness can also be one of the biggest problems you'll face when driving long distances, so make sure to take plenty of breaks for walks and fresh air, and pack caffeinated drinks. Get plenty of sleep every night before getting back on the road, and if you find yourself needing a few winks, pull off to a rest area and take a nap.

Weather is also a big concern, so be sure to keep up-to-date on weather forecasts. Arizona — despite being a largely arid state — can experience sudden thunderstorms with heavy rain, hail, and flash flooding during the summer monsoon season, so avoid driving through storms. The brutal summer heat can reach temperatures up to 110 degrees, so always bring plenty of extra water in case you break down. Areas of higher elevation also see plenty of snow and ice during the winter, so keep that in mind when heading out during the colder months of the year.