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 have higher fatal crash risks than the rest of the country, with Michigan, Pennsylvania and Ohio ranking highest.

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 a high 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 pay out of pocket for repairs even if the accident wasn't your fault.
• Comprehensive coverage covers non-collision incidents like tree branches breaking under ice weight, hail damage to parked vehicles or deer strikes on rural roads. Winter storms trigger comprehensive claims across multiple states.
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage pays for damage in multi-car pileups during winter storms when another driver lacks adequate insurance. States with lower minimum insurance requirements make this coverage valuable.
• Medical payments or personal injury protection (PIP) pays for medical expenses for you and your passengers regardless of fault. Winter accidents cause injuries even at lower speeds.
• Roadside assistance and towing cost $10 to $30 annually and cover towing, battery jumps, fuel delivery and lockout services. Stranded drivers experience safety risks in freezing temperatures.

State-Specific Considerations

Winter claims processing varies by state insurance rules. Michigan operates under a modified no-fault system where your own insurer pays for your injuries regardless of fault. Pennsylvania offers drivers a choice between limited tort and full tort options, affecting their ability to sue for damages. Ohio follows a traditional fault-based system.

Premiums differ between carriers in high-risk states. Drivers in states ranking in the top 15 should compare quotes from multiple insurers annually, especially if their current policy excludes 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 a 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 have less impact on premiums than at-fault collision claims because insurers view these incidents as outside driver control.

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

We calculated three metrics for each state:

• Total winter driving fatalities (2020 to 2023): Fatal incidents in winter-weather conditions. Double weight.
• Winter driving fatality rate: Fatalities per billion vehicle miles traveled, using FHWA VM-2 VMT totals for 2020 to 2023. 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. Half weight.
• We normalized each metric to a 100-point scale, then rescaled the combined result to produce the Final Winter Danger Score for each state, where 100 represents the most dangerous state for winter driving.

2025 rank: The state's winter driving rank using its Final Winter Danger Score. Lower ranks mean 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 from weighted metrics. A score of 100 represents the most dangerous state.

Total winter driving fatalities (2020 to 2023): NHTSA-reported driving fatalities with road conditions of sleet, snow, blowing snow or freezing drizzle.

Winter driving fatality rate: Winter driving fatalities per billion vehicle miles traveled.

Safe driver score: MoneyGeek's state driver safety score, scaled from 0 to 100. A score of 100 represents the safest state.