A new study finds I-94 in Cook County, Illinois, is the fourth deadliest highway stretch in the U.S., with 52 fatal crashes over three years. Several other Chicago-area expressways also appear in the national top 100.
I-94 in Cook County, Illinois, has been identified as one of the most dangerous highways in the United States, according to a recent analysis of fatal crash data. The study, conducted by FLBR Motorsport using records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, found that I-94 recorded 52 fatal crashes over a three-year period, making it the deadliest highway segment in Illinois and the highest-ranked in the Midwest.
The report highlights ongoing safety concerns for drivers in the Chicago area, where multiple expressways have seen a high number of fatal incidents. The findings place I-94 in Cook County as the fourth deadliest highway-and-county combination nationwide, surpassed only by I-15 in San Bernardino County, California (80 fatal crashes), I-10 in Maricopa County, Arizona (57), and I-10 in Riverside County, California (54).
Other High-Risk Expressways in Cook County
In addition to I-94, four other Cook County highways made the national top 100 for fatal crashes. I-57 tied for 41st place with 26 fatal crashes, I-290 ranked 53rd with 24, while both I-294 and I-90 tied for 89th with 21 fatal crashes each. All five Illinois entries in the top 100 are located in Cook County, underscoring the region's persistent traffic safety challenges.
The study's methodology involved assigning each fatal collision to the specific interstate, U.S. highway, or state route where it occurred, then ranking the routes by the number of fatal crashes within each county over the three-year period. This approach provides a detailed look at which corridors see the most severe incidents.
National Trends and Local Impact
While the study draws attention to dangerous stretches of road, it also notes a positive national trend: traffic deaths are declining across the United States. In 2025, an estimated 36,640 people died in traffic crashes, a 6.7 percent decrease from 2024. The national fatality rate dropped to about 1.10 deaths per 100 million miles driven. The downward trend continued into early 2026, with 7,770 estimated fatalities in the first three months, 4.3 percent fewer than the same period the previous year.
Despite these improvements, certain highway corridors-including those in Cook County-continue to account for a disproportionate share of fatal crashes. The deadliest stretch in the country remains I-15 in San Bernardino County, California, with 80 fatal crashes, followed by several segments of I-10 and other major routes in Arizona, California, Louisiana, and Washington.
Understanding the Data and Next Steps
The FLBR Motorsport study relied on data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. By focusing on county-level crash counts, the analysis offers a granular perspective on where the most dangerous driving conditions persist. For Cook County residents and commuters, the findings reinforce the importance of ongoing traffic safety efforts and targeted interventions on high-risk corridors.
Local and state transportation agencies may use this data to prioritize safety improvements, enforcement, and public awareness campaigns. While national trends are encouraging, the concentration of fatal crashes on specific highways highlights the need for continued vigilance and investment in road safety measures.
