Our new study revealed the deadliest states to drive in this Thanksgiving, with Mississippi taking the top spot.
Mississippi ranks as America’s deadliest state for Thanksgiving with 33.77 deaths in car crashes per one million residents, which is 126.98% higher than the U.S. average of 14.88 fatalities.
Alabama ranks second with 25.87 deaths in crashes per one million residents, 73.92% above the U.S. average.
South Carolina comes in third with 25.59 deaths in crashes per one million residents, 72.03% higher than the U.S. average.
Researchers at personal injury law firm Andrew Pickett Law analyzed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data on fatal crashes for Thanksgiving over a decade (2014 to 2023) to identify the U.S. states with the highest number of deaths per capita during the holiday period.
Deadliest States for Thanksgiving Driving
| Rank | State | Total Fatalities (2014-2023) | Fatalities Per 1M Residents | % Comparison to National Average |
| 1 | Mississippi | 100 | 33.77 | 126.98% higher |
| 2 | Alabama | 130 | 25.87 | 73.92% higher |
| 3 | South Carolina | 131 | 25.59 | 72.03% higher |
| 4 | Louisiana | 117 | 25.12 | 68.84% higher |
| 5 | South Dakota | 22 | 24.81 | 66.78% higher |
| 6 | Montana | 25 | 23.06 | 54.99% higher |
| 7 | New Mexico | 47 | 22.20 | 49.19% higher |
| 8 | Florida | 472 | 21.91 | 47.3% higher |
| 9 | Missouri | 132 | 21.45 | 44.16% higher |
| 10 | Wyoming | 12 | 20.80 | 39.83% higher |
The study also examined the breakdown of Thanksgiving traffic fatalities by type of victim, revealing significant variations across states.
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States with the Most Driver Fatalities
| Rank | State | % of Driver Fatalities |
| 1 | Maine | 77.3 |
| 2 | Alabama | 76.0 |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 75.0 |
| 4 | Nebraska | 73.1 |
| 5 | South Dakota | 72.7 |
| 6 | Arkansas | 71.4 |
| 6 | Idaho | 71.4 |
| 8 | North Dakota | 70.0 |
| 9 | Mississippi | 69.0 |
| 10 | Virginia | 68.5 |
States with the Most Pedestrian Fatalities
| Rank | State | % of Pedestrian Fatalities |
| 1 | Hawaii | 42.9 |
| 1 | Rhode Island | 42.9 |
| 3 | Washington | 35.7 |
| 4 | New York | 31.7 |
| 5 | Delaware | 30.8 |
| 6 | California | 28.5 |
| 7 | New Mexico | 27.7 |
| 8 | Oregon | 27.6 |
| 9 | Louisiana | 27.2 |
| 10 | Alaska | 25.0 |
| 10 | New Jersey | 25.0 |
Andrew Pickett, personal injury lawyer and owner of Melbourne, Florida-based Andrew Pickett Law, commented on the findings:
“With millions of Americans on the road this holiday season, it’s more important than ever to prioritize safety. Simple steps like slowing down, staying alert, avoiding distractions, and never driving under the influence can make a real difference in preventing accidents and ensuring everyone gets home safely for Thanksgiving.”
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Essential Thanksgiving Safety Tips
Drive sober and alert – Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you’re celebrating, plan ahead by designating a sober driver, using rideshare services, or staying overnight. Staying alert behind the wheel is critical to keeping yourself and others safe.
Buckle up – Seat belts remain one of the most effective ways to prevent serious injury or fatalities in a crash. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained, even on short trips.
Eliminate distractions – Put your phone away, avoid eating while driving, and stay fully focused on the road. Distracted driving is especially dangerous during peak holiday travel times when roads are congested.
Plan ahead and allow extra time – Heavy traffic is inevitable during Thanksgiving. Leave early, plan your route in advance, and build in buffer time. Rushed, stressed drivers are more likely to speed and make dangerous decisions.
Safest States for Thanksgiving Driving
The study also identified the safest states to drive in during Thanksgiving:
New York is the safest state for Thanksgiving, with 5.69 deaths per one million residents, achieving 61.74% below the national average.
Massachusetts ranks as the second safest state with 5.83 deaths per one million residents, 60.81% below the U.S. average.
Rhode Island comes in third with 6.38 deaths per one million residents, 57.12% below the U.S. average.
| Rank | State | Total Fatalities (2014-2023) | Fatalities Per 1M Residents | % Comparison to National Average |
| 50 | New York | 115 | 5.69 | 61.74% lower |
| 49 | Massachusetts | 41 | 5.83 | 60.81% lower |
| 48 | Rhode Island | 7 | 6.38 | 57.12% lower |
| 47 | Minnesota | 37 | 6.48 | 56.42% lower |
| 46 | Washington | 68 | 8.83 | 40.68% lower |
| 45 | New Jersey | 87 | 9.37 | 37.05% lower |
| 44 | New Hampshire | 13 | 9.44 | 36.57% lower |
| 43 | Virginia | 90 | 10.43 | 29.91% lower |
| 42 | Wisconsin | 62 | 10.52 | 29.29% lower |
| 41 | Pennsylvania | 137 | 10.54 | 29.18% lower |
Andrew Pickett adds:
“At Andrew Pickett Law, we see firsthand the devastating impact of holiday traffic accidents. These simple precautions can make all the difference between a memorable celebration and a tragic incident.
Knowing the risks allows families to plan safer travel routes, time their departures strategically, and remain vigilant on the roads. Whether you’re driving across state lines or just across town, awareness is your first line of defense in preventing Thanksgiving tragedies.”
Methodology:
This study analyzed Thanksgiving traffic fatalities using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to rank the deadliest states for Thanksgiving travel. We compiled the total traffic fatalities that occurred during Thanksgiving week across all 50 states over a 10-year period from 2014 to 2023, then normalized these totals by each state’s population in 2023. All fatalities were classified by victim type—including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicle occupants not in transport, and persons on personal conveyances—to conduct percentage-based analysis of casualty patterns.
Each year consistently has 108 hours. Across all years studied (2014-2023), data collection commenced at 6:00 PM on the day preceding Thanksgiving Day.
Data is collected on these Thanksgiving dates:
2014: November 26 (starting 6pm) – December 1 (until 6am)
2015: November 25 (starting 6pm) – November 30 (until 6am)
2016: November 23 (starting 6pm) – November 28 (until 6am)
2017: November 22 (starting 6pm) – November 27 (until 6am)
2018: November 21 (starting 6pm) – November 26 (until 6am)
2019: November 27 (starting 6pm) – December 2 (until 6am)
2020: November 25 (starting 6pm) – November 30 (until 6am)
2021: November 24 (starting 6pm) – November 29 (until 6am)
2022: November 23 (starting 6pm) – November 28 (until 6am)
2023: November 22 (starting 6pm) – November 27 (until 6am)
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