New Study Reveals Michigan’s Deadliest Interstates

If you have spent any time driving around Michigan, you probably do not need anyone to tell you the roads are rough right now.

Especially when snow, ice, and constant freeze-thaw cycles get involved.

Now, a new study is putting some numbers behind the reputation, and some of them appear a little concerning.

How Bad Are Michigan’s Roads?

George Salinas Injury Lawyers analyzed federal crash data from 2020 through 2024, looking at fatal crashes connected to poor road surfaces, work zones, and other roadway defects across the country.

Michigan did not exactly come out looking great.

According to the study, 1,100 fatalities in Michigan during that five-year period involved poor road surface conditions. Another 111 fatalities happened in work zones, while 16 were connected to roadway defects.

Those defects can include things like construction or maintenance problems, incorrect pavement markings, washed-out roads, or poor warnings when road conditions suddenly change.

The study also found that about 12.9% of Michigan roads are considered to be in poor condition.

Michigan’s Deadliest Interstates in the Study

When it comes to the roads themselves, three major interstates stood out:

• I-94
• I-75
• I-96

Those three were identified as Michigan's deadliest roads in the study.

How Michigan Compares With Other States

Michigan also had the second-highest number of fatalities connected to these road-condition categories, behind only Texas.

However, researchers also created an overall ranking that combined fatality numbers with the percentage of roads considered poor. Michigan did not make the top five under that system.

Are Michigan Roads Getting Better?

West Virginia ranked first, followed by Oregon, Montana, Washington, and Mississippi.

Michigan has spent more money on road repairs and maintenance in recent years, so there has been some improvement.