What Are The Most Dangerous Roads in Washington State?

TL;DR

• Washington recorded 810 traffic fatalities in 2023, a 33-year high representing a 10% increase from 2022
• State Route 522 between Monroe and Woodinville earned the nickname "Highway of Death" with over 1,000 accidents and 40 deaths in just 15 years
• King County leads with 167 traffic deaths in 2023, followed by Pierce, Spokane, and Snohomish counties
• Interstate 5 sees nearly 300 deaths over a 10-year period due to massive traffic volume of 200,000+ vehicles daily
• Mountain passes like Snoqualmie Pass create year-round hazards due to weather and terrain

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We all know Washington has stunning scenery and some of the most beautiful drives in the country. But the reality is our state's roads can be deadly. In 2023, Washington hit a grim milestone with 810 traffic fatalities on public roads. That number represents a 33-year high and a 10% jump from the year before.

Over my 28 years as an injury trial attorney, I've represented too many families devastated by crashes on the most dangerous roads in Washington. Some roads earned their deadly reputations from design flaws, others from sheer traffic volume, and some from weather conditions that turn routine drives into life-threatening situations. If you've been hurt on one of these roads, talking to a car accident lawyer who knows Washington's roadways can make a real difference in your recovery.

Washington's Roadway Fatality Problem

Washington recorded 810 traffic deaths in 2023, nearly double the 462 fatalities we saw in 2014. While the rest of the country has seen traffic deaths decline for two years straight, Washington joins Idaho and Rhode Island as states with double-digit increases in road fatalities.

Serious injuries followed the same upward trend, increasing 10% from 3,102 in 2022 to 3,413 in 2023. That's a 70% increase over the past decade. These serious injuries include severe lacerations, broken bones, crush injuries, skull or chest trauma, burns, unconsciousness, and paralysis.

According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, the main factors behind these fatalities are impairment (400 fatalities involved drug or alcohol-impaired drivers), speeding (251 fatalities), not wearing seatbelts (171 fatalities), and distracted driving (35 fatalities). The Washington State Department of Transportation notes that traffic volumes have increased since the pandemic, but enforcement has remained reduced while drivers continue engaging in risky behaviors.

Top 5 Most Dangerous Roads in Washington

Based on crash data from WSDOT, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and recent traffic safety reports, here are the five most dangerous roads in Washington state.

State Route 522: The "Highway of Death"

State Route 522, particularly the 10.5-mile stretch between Monroe and Woodinville, has earned its dark nickname. Between 1980 and 1995, this segment saw over 1,100 accidents and 40 deaths. Both Reader's Digest in 1995 and Forbes in 2007 named SR 522 one of the most dangerous highways in America.

The road is exceptionally narrow with only two lanes, no central divider, and almost nonexistent shoulders in places. Steep cliffs drop away from the roadside, and the highway features multiple curves where drivers routinely exceed safe speeds. Most sections near Maltby remain undivided and deadly.

Interstate 5

I-5 is not just Washington's busiest highway but also one of its deadliest. Over 200,000 vehicles use I-5 daily, totaling roughly 73 million vehicles per year. From 2007 to 2015, the Washington stretch witnessed nearly 245 fatal crashes and 258 fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The deadliest 10-mile stretch runs along I-5 in Pierce County between South 38th Street and State Road 18, recording 22 fatal crashes and 25 fatalities over five years. In King County, the segment from South Dearborn Street to Northeast 145th Street saw 20 fatal crashes. Other dangerous areas include the stretch between S 96th Street and Exit 133 near Tacoma, and between Exit 119 and Exit 124 near Lakewood.

State Route 99: Pacific Highway

SR 99 runs approximately 49 miles from Tacoma to Everett and struggles with an identity crisis. The road tries to function as both a high-speed highway and a local street with multiple businesses and side streets feeding into it, creating a dangerous mix of fast and slow-moving traffic.

According to WSDOT data, the Aurora Avenue stretch between North Winona Avenue and North 155th Street in Seattle witnesses nearly 2.2 fatal accidents per mile per year. The Pacific Highway segment from South 252nd Street to South 176th Street in Kent sees nearly 1.8 fatal accidents per mile annually.

U.S. Route 2

US Highway 2 presents a different kind of danger. This highway is extremely remote, especially on the stretch between Spokane and Seattle passing through Stevens Pass. If you're in a serious accident on US 2, you could wait up to 80 minutes for emergency responders to reach you. The nearest hospital might be hours away, and cell service can be spotty or nonexistent.

Over the past 15 years, more than 60 people have died in crashes on US 2. The highway can be treacherous during winter weather, with ice and snow creating slick conditions through the mountain pass.

Interstate 90 and Snoqualmie Pass

I-90 carries more than 20,000 vehicles daily over Snoqualmie Pass, with weekend traffic surging to 50,000 vehicles. The 42-mile stretch between the summit and the Indian John Hill rest area east of Cle Elum is known as the "I-90 Danger Zone."

Milepost 53 near the summit averages more than 30 crashes per year, making it one of the most accident-prone spots in the state. Semi-trucks carrying freight through the pass, combined with steep inclines at milepost 47 near the Kittitas County line, sharp turns, and frequent winter storms, create dangerous conditions year-round.

Why These Roads Are So Dangerous

High traffic volume plays a major role on roads like I-5 and I-90. When 200,000 vehicles share the same stretch of highway daily, the probability of crashes increases dramatically. Poor road design makes some roads inherently dangerous. SR 522's narrow lanes, lack of dividers, minimal shoulders, and tight curves create a recipe for disaster.

Weather conditions turn mountain passes into deadly terrain. Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Pass experience heavy snowfall, ice, high winds, and reduced visibility leading to spinouts, jackknifed semi-trucks, and multi-vehicle pileups.

Remoteness and delayed emergency response make crashes on US Highway 2 particularly dangerous. Driver behavior remains the single biggest factor, with speeding, impairment, distraction, and not wearing seatbelts contributing to the vast majority of Washington's fatalities.

Counties with the Highest Risk Zones

When we look at county-level data from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, four counties stand out.

King County recorded 167 traffic deaths in 2023, more than double the 83 fatalities the county saw in 2014. With 53 pedestrians killed, King County accounted for more than a third of the state's pedestrian deaths.

Pierce County is home to the single deadliest 10-mile stretch in Washington along I-5 between South 38th Street and State Road 18, which saw 22 fatal crashes and 25 deaths over five years.

Spokane County also ranks among the top four for traffic fatalities. Highway 395 has seen multiple fatal crashes in recent years.

Snohomish County experienced a troubling surge, jumping from 43 fatalities in 2023 to 64 in 2024. State routes saw fatalities jump from 16 deaths in 2023 to 34 in 2024. Roughly two-thirds involved impaired drivers.

If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, call us at 866-377-3800 or schedule a free consultation at www.metierlaw.com.

Steps Drivers Can Take to Stay Safe

You can't control other drivers or weather, but you can take steps to reduce your risk on the most dangerous roads in Washington.

Wear your seatbelt every time. In 2023, 171 fatalities involved someone not wearing a seatbelt. Don't drive impaired. With 400 fatalities involving impaired drivers, this remains the deadliest choice you can make.

Stay focused on driving. Put your phone away. Distracted driving accounted for 35 fatalities in 2023. Adjust your speed for conditions. When driving through Snoqualmie Pass in a snowstorm or SR 522's curves, slow down.

Check weather and road conditions before mountain pass travel. The WSDOT website provides real-time conditions. If conditions are bad, delay your trip. Carry chains, emergency supplies, blankets, food, and water.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadliest road in Washington state?

State Route 522, particularly the stretch between Monroe and Woodinville, earned the nickname "Highway of Death" with over 1,100 accidents and 40 deaths between 1980 and 1995. However, Interstate 5 has the highest total fatalities due to massive traffic volume, with nearly 300 deaths over a 10-year period.

Which Washington counties have the most car accidents?

King County leads the state with 167 traffic deaths in 2023, followed by Pierce, Spokane, and Snohomish counties. These four counties contain the most dangerous intersections in Washington state and the highest concentration of serious crashes.

How dangerous is Snoqualmie Pass on I-90?

Snoqualmie Pass carries 20,000 to 50,000 vehicles daily and experiences frequent accidents, especially near Milepost 53, which averages more than 30 crashes per year. Weather conditions including heavy snow, ice, and wind combine with steep grades and commercial truck traffic to create hazardous conditions.

What should I do if I'm injured in a crash on a dangerous Washington road?

Seek medical attention immediately. Document the scene with photos if possible. Get contact information from witnesses. Report the crash to the police. Then contact a car accident lawyer who handles Washington traffic accident hotspots. Insurance companies often try to minimize claims on dangerous roads by blaming drivers rather than acknowledging known hazards.

Why are Washington road deaths increasing while national numbers decline?

According to published statistics, Washington's traffic fatalities increased 10% from 2022 to 2023, reaching a 33-year high, while national traffic deaths declined. Experts point to reduced enforcement, increased risk-taking behaviors including speeding and impaired driving, higher traffic volumes post-pandemic, and aggressive driving as contributing factors.

Hurt on a Dangerous Washington Road? Call Metier Law Firm Now

If you or someone you love was injured in a car accident on one of Washington's dangerous roads, you need experienced legal representation. Insurance companies will try to minimize your claim or blame you for the crash.

At Metier Law Firm, we've spent decades fighting for injury victims. We know these roads, we know the tactics insurance companies use, and we know how to build strong cases that get results. We've secured hundreds of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Whether your crash happened on the curves of SR 522, in heavy traffic on I-5, during a winter storm on Snoqualmie Pass, or on any other Washington roadway, we can help. You shouldn't have to fight this battle alone while recovering from injuries.

Call Metier Law Firm at 866-377-3800 or schedule your free consultation today at www.metierlaw.com.

Disclaimer: Past results discussed should not be considered a guarantee of your results as the factors of every case are individually unique. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney from Metier Law Firm regarding your individual situation for legal advice.

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