Winter's Deadliest Roads: 2025 State Rankings Show Where Drivers Are at Greatest Risk

Winter-weather crashes killed 1,579 people between 2020 and 2023, an average of 395 deaths per year. Drivers in 15 states face higher fatal crash risks than the rest of the country, with Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio topping the list.

MoneyGeek analyzed crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and Federal Highway Administration vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) data. We combined these with MoneyGeek's Safe Driver Scores to rank all 50 states using a weighted Winter Danger Score.

Most drivers can't avoid icy or snowy roads during winter, though some states pose far greater risks than others. MoneyGeek examined FARS data from 2020 through 2023 and calculated fatality rates per billion vehicle miles traveled, incorporating each state's Safe Driver Score.

Michigan tops the rankings with both a high number of winter-weather fatalities (156 over four years) and an elevated fatality rate considering how many miles are driven within the state annually. Pennsylvania and Ohio follow closely behind, each recording more than 100 winter-weather deaths during the study period.

Alaska doesn't have the highest total deaths, but its winter fatality rate of 1.35 per billion VMT is the highest in the nation, making the state uniquely dangerous on a per-mile basis.

Icy roads, reduced visibility and unpredictable conditions create scenarios where accidents happen despite cautious driving. Drivers in the highest-risk states should review whether their car insurance coverage addresses winter-specific incidents.

Coverage Types Worth Reviewing

• Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle when you hit another car or object, whether from sliding on ice or losing control in snow. Without it, you'll pay out of pocket for repairs even if the accident wasn't entirely your fault.
• Comprehensive coverage handles non-collision incidents: damage from falling tree branches weighted down by ice, hail damage to parked vehicles or hitting a deer on a snowy rural road. Winter storms frequently trigger comprehensive claims that many drivers don't anticipate.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage protects you in multi-car pileups common during winter storms, when you may be hit by a driver who lacks adequate insurance. This coverage is particularly valuable in states with lower minimum insurance requirements.
• Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP) pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of who caused the accident. Winter accidents can result in injuries even at lower speeds due to icy impacts.
• Roadside assistance and towing typically costs $10 to $30 annually and covers towing, battery jumps, fuel delivery and lockout services. Being stranded in freezing temperatures creates safety risks beyond inconvenience.

State-Specific Considerations

Insurance rules vary by state, which affects how winter claims are processed. Michigan operates under a modified no-fault system, meaning your own insurer pays for your injuries regardless of fault. Pennsylvania offers drivers a choice between limited tort and full tort options, affecting your ability to sue for damages. Ohio follows a traditional fault-based system.

Premiums can vary significantly between carriers in high-risk states. Drivers in states ranking in the top 15 may benefit from comparing quotes from multiple insurers annually, particularly if their current policy doesn't include comprehensive or collision coverage.

How Winter Accidents Affect Your Rates

Not-at-fault accidents in icy conditions rarely increase premiums, especially with accident forgiveness coverage. At-fault accidents generally lead to higher rates, with increases varying based on your insurer, driving history and state regulations.

Claim frequency matters more than individual incidents. Multiple winter claims over several years signal higher risk to insurers, even if each accident was relatively minor. Before filing a claim for minor damage, consider whether paying out of pocket is more cost-effective long-term.

Comprehensive claims for weather-related damage (such as a tree branch falling on your parked car during an ice storm) have less impact on premiums than at-fault collision claims, since insurers consider these incidents outside your control.

MoneyGeek analyzed FARS fatal-crash data from 2020 to 2023 to determine the most dangerous states for winter driving. Winter-weather crashes included those with road conditions involving sleet, snow, blowing snow or freezing drizzle.

For each state, we calculated:

• Total Winter Driving Fatalities (2020 to 2023): Fatal incidents in winter-weather conditions. This metric received double weight.
• Winter Driving Fatality Rate: Fatalities per billion vehicle miles traveled, using FHWA VM-2 VMT totals for 2020 to 2023. This metric received full weight.
• Safe Driver Score: MoneyGeek's score from our national study rating the states with the safest and worst drivers. The score (0 to 100) was inverted to reflect unsafe-driving risk. This metric received half weight.

Each metric was normalized to a 100-point scale. We rescaled the combined result to produce the Final Winter Danger Score for each state, where 100 indicates the most dangerous state for winter driving.

2025 Rank: The state's winter driving rank based on its Final Winter Danger Score. Lower ranks indicate more dangerous conditions.

2024 Rank: The state's rank from MoneyGeek's previous study for year-over-year comparison.

Final Winter Danger Score: Combined score based on weighted metrics, with 100 being most dangerous.

Total Winter Driving Fatalities (2020 to 2023): NHTSA-reported driving fatalities where road conditions included sleet, snow, blowing snow or freezing drizzle.

Winter Driving Fatality Rate: Winter driving fatalities per billion vehicular miles traveled.

Safe Driver Score: MoneyGeek's score from its rating of state driver safety, scaled from 0 to 100 (100 = safest).