Insurance Car Insurance

10 States Where You’re Least Likely To Get Into a Car Accident

There are the states where the odds of avoiding a car accident are in your favor.

african american female driver looking out
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Living in an area where there are fewer accidents or car thefts will result in lower insurance rates, helping you save money on your car insurance.

CARFAX looked at the accident rate in 50 states and Washington, D.C., to rank the states with the highest and lowest number of accidents per 1,000 registered vehicles.

While you may not relocate because of the number of accidents in your state, you may want to know which states have the least number of accidents. Here are the top 10 safest states for driving.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

10. Washington

Tommy/Adobe space needle seattle skyline at sunset

With a solid public transportation system, many drivers can just skip being on the road in Washington, especially in big cities like Seattle.

There are still a few areas of concern, including along U.S. 2, which runs east and west across the state, and I-90 north and south through Seattle.

9. Montana

edb3_16/Adobe highway with mountains in montana

You may not be surprised that Montana's open roads and rural nature land it on the list of the states with the fewest accidents.

However, there are still some problematic areas, including along I-90 and I-15. As major truck highways, these interstates are where accidents may occur.

8. Virginia

pabrady63/Adobe richmond virginia skyline at night

Virginia has fewer roadway accidents overall than most states, partly thanks to its safety programs, good road conditions, and overall good weather.

Still, it’s not uncommon to see areas like I-85 or I-95 in Petersburg congested and difficult to navigate.

Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt

Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.

National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1

How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.

Try it

7. Maryland

Matthew Tighe/Adobe maryland state house in annapolis city

Maryland is another surprising state on this list, mainly because it’s a major thoroughfare in the mid-Atlantic and a major commuting area, too. Its safety record may be due to people using public transportation or safer road conditions.

There are some danger areas, though: I-95 to I-495 around Washington, D.C., and U.S. 50 westbound are often heavy with traffic.

6. Pennsylvania

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe pittsburgh-pennsylvania-skyline-at-night

Pennsylvania is a hub for transportation, with 23 highways and another 11 auxiliary routes. It’s a big state, after all.

While winter weather is often when you see more accidents, the Keystone State has numerous programs for behavioral-rated driving violations. It is continuously working to improve highway safety through aggressive policing and tech use.

5. Vermont

haveseen/Adobe montpelier town skyline in vermont

Good education and maintenance, along with lots of plows, help keep Vermont on the list of one of the least likely places to be in a car accident.

Some of the largest highways here include I-89, I-289, and I-91. You'll find live updates on the state’s website to monitor traffic as well along the larger routes through the state.

4. California

SeanPavonePhoto/Adobe downtown los angeles california cityscape

Most people have experienced (in person or on TV) the traffic along I-5 or I-8, I-10, and I-105 at some point, but the state of California actually has fewer accidents per 1,000 vehicles than many other states.

While there are winding roads, some tricky blind spots, and lots of congestion, California invests in highway safety and road maintenance to help minimize risks.

3. Alaska

Gary R. Johnson/Adobew road winding through alaskan wilderness

You may think the slick roadways from snow contribute to Alaska’s risks, but the state has one of the lowest rates of car accidents overall.

A number of highway safety programs are in place to help minimize risks here, including along some of the largest highways, including Alaska Route 1, the Denali Highway, and Dalton Highway.

2. Hawaii

jdross75/Adobe honolulu skyline with ocean front

Hawaii has several larger highways, including Interstate H-1, the longest interstate on Oahu.

Road conditions are typically good, though wet, but you’ll also note that the state’s strict traffic laws and funding for infrastructure improvements help make this a state with fewer accidents.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

1. Oregon

jbentley09/Adobe sunset in downtown portland oregon

Oregon has much to offer residents, from a beautiful coast to dense, hilly terrain. Yet, it’s also the state with the fewest crashes.

Whether you’re traveling the Oregon Coast Highway, along I-5, or the Sunset Highway, chances are good you’ll see fewer car crashes due in part to better-maintained routes and less dense traffic.

Bottom line

gstockstudio/Adobe happy family on road trip

Whether you’re trying to step up your travel game or commuting to work every day, you never want to have a car accident. The risk of injury, as well as the cost and inconvenience, should make everyone a careful driver.

To become a better driver — and lower your car insurance rate — look into defensive driving courses in your area. 

Most state motor vehicle departments offer courses at a reasonable cost, and you can even find online courses recognized by your state.

Let’s be safe out there.

  • You could save up to $600 with some companies
  • Compare dozens of providers in under 5 minutes
  • Fast, free and easy way to shop for insurance
  • Quickly find the perfect rate for you