An April 2026 report on travel safety across America found that Texas is the most troublesome state for visitors. With nearly 45 million Americans traveling domestically over holiday weekends, a new study by Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers shows which states they might want to avoid.
The research examined travel risks across all 50 states to find where visitors need to be most careful. The study looked at personal safety ratings, hit-and-run crash rates showing how often drivers flee accident scenes, and extreme weather events tracked over two decades. The report also considered air quality, hospital bed availability for medical emergencies, walkability scores for getting around cities, and self-reported rudeness rates. Each state received a Risk Score from 0 to 100, with higher numbers meaning more caution is needed when traveling there.
Here’s a look at the top 10 states where travelers need to be most attentive:
| State | Self-Reported Rudeness Rate (%) | Safety Index | % Of Fatal Crashes Involving Hit-And-Run | Walkability Score | Air Quality Index |
| Texas | 13 | 36.8 | 8.29 | 77 | 25 |
| Mississippi | 14 | 18.72 | 4.25 | 51 | 17 |
| Arkansas | 11 | 39.94 | 4.43 | 57 | 61 |
| New Mexico | 16 | 29.1 | 9.13 | 96 | 39 |
| Wisconsin | 11 | 34 | 5.68 | 98 | 33 |
| Illinois | 22 | 34.5 | 9.37 | 100 | 38 |
| Alaska | 15 | 37.07 | 6.18 | 83 | 23 |
| Michigan | 20 | 27.2 | 6.83 | 99 | 21 |
| Maryland | 18 | 28 | 8.83 | 98 | 27 |
| Minnesota | 10 | 44.4 | 3.3 | 95 | 38 |
You can access the complete research findings here.
1. Texas
Texas is the most dangerous state to travel through. People driving here should be especially careful, as 1 in 12 fatal crashes involves someone fleeing the scene, nearly 1,900 cases in recent years alone. Weather can turn deadly fast, too, with the state recording 266 hurricanes and over 6,000 tornadoes in the recent period. Plus, crime rates are also generally high in Texas, with a safety rating of just 37/100.
2. Mississippi
Mississippi practically guarantees trouble when visiting. The state scores just 19/100 on safety, the absolute worst in America, meaning violent crime and dangerous situations are common. Roads aren’t safe either: 1 in 25 of deadly crashes involve drivers who take off, leaving victims behind. Cities here are also the least pedestrian-friendly in the entire country, scoring the lowest 51/100 points in walkability.
3. Arkansas
Arkansas will test your lungs before anything else. Air quality here is extremely low, getting 61/100 on the index, the worst pollution level among risky states. That might mean breathing problems if you’re visiting for weeks. Beyond that, the state often experiences extreme weather, with over 1,500 tornadoes recorded in the recent period alone. Like in Mississippi, streets here are also designed for drivers, so getting around on foot is hard.
4. New Mexico
New Mexico ranks fourth, with one of the most dangerous streets in America. If you get into a serious crash here, there’s nearly a 1 in 10 chance the other driver will just leave. Walking is equally dangerous, as the state struggles with high crime rates, scoring just 29/100 points on the safety index. Beyond that, people here aren’t particularly welcoming, as 16% residents say they’ve experienced unfriendly interactions.
5. Wisconsin
Wisconsin rounds out the top five states where travelers need to be extra cautious. Hospitals here are quite overwhelmed, so visitors usually have to wait in long lines in the ER during an emergency. The state has also recorded more than 1500 winter storms in the recent period, so checking the weather before going there is always a good idea. Plus, like the other states in the ranking, Wisconsin also deals with high crime rates, scoring 34/100 in safety.
Ruben Davidoff, Managing Partner at Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers, commented on the study:
“Not knowing the local laws can always make things worse. For example, Maryland, one of the riskiest states to visit, follows the contributory negligence rule. That means if you’re even 1% at fault in an accident, you recover nothing. So if someone hits you running a red light, but their lawyer proves you were slightly speeding, your entire claim is gone. Doing some quick research about these basic laws before going somewhere can help you to be a little bit more cautious about how you behave.”
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
