Holiday road trips are a beloved American tradition, but they also carry some of the highest risks for fatal accidents. A new analysis of crash data has revealed striking differences between states when it comes to road safety during federal holidays.

Researchers at Phillips Law Firm reviewed figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), measuring how many people were involved in fatal crashes per million residents between 2019 and 2023. The results show that Massachusetts drivers face the lowest risk on holidays, while Delaware residents experience the highest.

Massachusetts Leads as the Safest State

Massachusetts recorded just 18 people involved in fatal crashes per million residents during federal holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Christmas. The state consistently reported fewer holiday-related crashes than the national average of 51 per million residents.

Christmas Day was the deadliest holiday in Massachusetts, but even then, only 23 people were involved in fatal crashes over the four-year span.

Other safe regions included:

• District of Columbia (21 per million)
• Maine and New York (23 per million each)
• Utah (26 per million)

Minnesota and New Hampshire also ranked well, each with 27 people involved in fatal crashes per million residents.

Delaware Tops the Danger List

At the other end of the spectrum, Delaware emerged as the most hazardous state for holiday travel, with 93 people involved in fatal crashes per million residents. Independence Day was particularly deadly, accounting for 18 lives lost during the study period.

Several states tied closely behind Delaware, each with 88 people per million residents involved in fatal crashes: Wyoming, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Alabama.

Mississippi ranked next, with 83, while Louisiana (82) and Arkansas (74) also placed in the top five most dangerous states.

Holidays With the Highest Risk

While every federal holiday brings a rise in road deaths, some stand out:

• Independence Day was the deadliest holiday overall, topping the list in 19 states. Texas (226 people involved), California (218), and Ohio (109) saw the highest totals.
• New Year’s Day proved most dangerous in 12 states, with Florida recording 286 people involved in fatal crashes on January 1 alone.

Expert Insight

A spokesperson for Phillips Law Firm said the findings highlight how celebrations can quickly turn tragic:

“When more people take to the roads to visit family or attend gatherings, the likelihood of crashes increases. Alcohol consumption, fatigue, and unfamiliar routes only add to the danger.

We encourage drivers to plan ahead, check traffic updates, and give themselves plenty of time when traveling over the holidays.”

About the Study

The research draws on NHTSA crash data from 2019 to 2023, calculating fatal crashes per million residents to compare risk levels across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.