The Deadliest Road Stretches in Montana
Key Takeaways:
- The two deadliest ten-mile road stretches in Montana are both located on I-90, with one near Missoula and the other near Bozeman. Each recorded 7 fatal crashes and 8 fatalities over a five-year period.
- I-90 accounts for eight of the nine deadliest road segments in the state. I-15 accounts for one.
- Fatal crashes were concentrated around cities like Missoula, Bozeman, Butte, and Billings, but also extended into more rural areas such as Sweet Grass and Big Horn Counties.
- Nearly two-thirds of fatal crashes occurring on Montana’s deadliest road stretches were set in rural areas.
Montana’s vast landscapes and scenic drives are part of its identity, attracting both residents and tourists who enjoy the open road. However, some of these routes are also the site of repeated fatal crashes, revealing a troubling pattern beneath the scenery. Whether it’s due to high speeds on interstates, long stretches with limited services, or unpredictable weather conditions, some roads are consistently more dangerous than others.
To identify Montana’s most hazardous road stretches, we analyzed five years of fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We examined Montana’s highway system in overlapping 10-mile segments to pinpoint where deadly collisions are most concentrated.
Below are the results of our analysis.
Interactive Map Exploring Montana’s Deadliest Road Stretches
The interactive map below highlights the ten-mile stretches discussed above. Zoom in to regions of interest or use the menu to instantly direct you.
Crash Patterns by Area Type
While fatal crashes in many parts of the U.S. tend to concentrate near urban areas, Montana’s most dangerous road segments are more widely distributed. In fact, the majority of fatal crashes in our study occurred in rural areas. This pattern aligns with the state’s geography, where highways often run through sparsely populated regions where emergency response times may be longer, road conditions are more variable, and speeds are higher due to lower congestion.
Nearly two-thirds of crashes occurred in rural settings, despite those areas being less densely populated. This pattern is common in states with large geographic areas and fewer urban centers. Drivers may face long, uninterrupted stretches of road where speeding or fatigue can all raise the risk of a fatal collision.
Where Are Montana’s Deadliest 10-Mile Road Stretches?
The table below highlights the 10-mile segments in Montana with the highest number of fatal crashes between 2019 and 2023. Each entry includes the highway name, number of crashes and fatalities, the county, and the nearest city. Stretches were ranked by total fatal crash count, with fatality count breaking ties where applicable.
A Closer Look at I-90’s Repeated Presence
Montana’s portion of I-90 stretches across the southern half of the state, connecting cities like Billings, Bozeman, Butte, and Missoula. It’s an important corridor for cross-state travel, freight, and tourism as it offers entrance to Yellowstone National Park among other outdoor destinations. But with its high-speed limits and long rural segments, the interstate can become dangerous. This is especially true in the winter months when conditions change rapidly.
Two I-90 segments tied for the highest number of fatal crashes in the analysis. One runs through Missoula County, beginning around Charlo Street and continuing east toward Turah. The other is located in Gallatin County, near Bozeman, stretching from East Cameron Bridge Road to Fort Ellis Road. Both of these segments recorded 7 fatal crashes and 8 fatalities over the five-year period.
Two additional I-90 segments followed closely behind, each with six fatal crashes. The first, ranking third, is in Big Horn County, running through Hardin and ending near County Road 45 and the Big Horn County Airport. Despite having fewer crashes than the top-ranked segments, this stretch recorded the highest number of fatalities — 10 total. The second, ranking fourth, with eight fatalities, is in Gallatin County, located between Manhattan and Belgrade, a growing corridor west of Bozeman.
Several other I-90 segments recorded 5 fatal crashes and were still included among the deadliest stretches statewide. These include a segment in Jefferson County near Tatanka Way and Pipestone, located east of Butte; another Jefferson County segment near Whitehall, where Montana Highway runs nearby; one in Sweet Grass County around Big Timber; and one in Yellowstone County, running through Billings, beginning near Duck Creek Road.
A Dangerous Segment Beyond I-90
Outside of I-90, the only other interstate to appear on the list is I-15, which connects Butte to northern Montana. A 10-mile stretch in Silver Bow County, running through the city of Butte from Ridge Road to Kennedy Avenue, recorded 5 fatal crashes over the study period.
Methodology
This analysis is based on data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), a federal database maintained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We reviewed all fatal crashes that occurred on Montana roadways from 2019 through 2023.
Each fatal crash was mapped across the state’s highway system. We then analyzed the data using a moving 10-mile window across all major interstates and highways in the state. This helped us identify road segments with the highest frequency of fatal crashes.
Fair Use Statement
We encourage you to share this report or reference the findings in your own coverage. If doing so, please link back to the original analysis so readers can access the full dataset and methodology.