- Survey of 3,004 drivers.
- I-17 (Phoenix — Flagstaff) the most avoided winter route in AZ.
When winter weather hits, many drivers quietly change their routes – not because certain roads are officially unsafe, but because they feel more stressed, exposed, or unpredictable in cold, dark, or icy conditions. To explore how winter affects everyday driving behavior, RVWindshieldReplacement.com, a national network of RV auto glass experts, surveyed 3,004 drivers to identify the major roads Americans are most likely to avoid during winter weather.
The 3 most avoided roads in Arizona are:
#1. I-17 (Phoenix — Flagstaff)
For drivers heading north from Phoenix, I-17 can feel like crossing seasons in a couple of hours. Winter storms near the top bring snow, ice, and sudden visibility drops, especially through the winding mountain sections. When conditions worsen, many commuters delay trips rather than risk the climb.
#2. I-40 (Flagstaff area)
This is the stretch that catches people out. I-40 around Flagstaff sits high enough to get real winter weather, and when snow and ice move in, it can quickly turn slick and slow-moving. Locals know that even a clear forecast elsewhere in the state doesn’t mean this section will be forgiving.
#3. State Route 89A (Oak Creek Canyon)
Beautiful most of the year, but in winter this is one road locals often steer clear of. Tight curves, steep drop-offs, shaded canyon walls, and icy patches make 89A genuinely hazardous after snowfall. It’s a route drivers tend to skip unless they’re confident – or have no alternative.
Nationally, the top 10 most avoided routes are:
#1. Seward Highway (Turnagain Arm & Turnagain Pass), Alaska
People who’ve driven the Seward Highway for years still don’t take it lightly in winter. With sheer cliffs, known avalanche spots, and weather rolling in quickly off Turnagain Arm, conditions can change before you’ve had time to react. Once snow and ice set in, a lot of locals would rather sit tight than risk a drive that leaves very little room for mistakes.
#2. Glenn Highway (Anchorage — Palmer / Glennallen), Alaska
For a lot of people heading out of Anchorage, the Glenn Highway is hard to avoid – but winter makes it a tougher proposition. Winds can be strong, snow blows across the road, and icy sections show up without much warning. With few places to pull over or get help if something breaks down, most drivers don’t take it lightly and will only use the route when it’s absolutely necessary.
#3. Dalton Highway (Fairbanks — Prudhoe Bay), Alaska
This is one road Alaskans don’t “take a chance” on in winter. Extreme cold, whiteout conditions, and hundreds of miles with little help nearby mean the Dalton is widely avoided unless travel is unavoidable. For most drivers, winter simply isn’t the season to be up there.
#4. I-94 (Detroit — Ann Arbor), Michigan
This busy commuter corridor doesn’t take much winter weather to feel difficult. Snow, ice, and heavy traffic can quickly combine into stop-start driving, and slick bridges are a common concern. It’s a stretch many drivers would rather avoid during storms if they have flexibility.
#5. I-55 (Chicago — Central Illinois), Illinois
I-55 feels straightforward most of the year, but winter changes the equation. Open stretches are prone to blowing snow, and freezing rain can make the road deceptively slick. When visibility drops, locals often delay trips rather than push through.
#6. I-84 (Boise —Mountain Home), Idaho
This stretch is close to Idaho’s biggest population center, but winter gives it teeth. Snow, ice, and especially strong crosswinds can make driving unpredictable, and whiteouts aren’t uncommon during storms. Locals know it’s a road you don’t rush when conditions turn.
#7. I-95 (Cross Bronx Expressway), New York
This route is stressful on a good day – winter just raises the stakes. Snow, ice, tight merges, and heavy traffic can turn even short journeys into slow, nerve-wracking drives. When conditions worsen, locals avoid it whenever possible.
#8. I-87 (New York City — Albany), New York
For drivers heading north out of the city, winter conditions can change fast. Snow and ice become more common as the road climbs into higher elevations, and slick patches often linger well beyond the metro area. Many New Yorkers will delay trips rather than chance this stretch during storms.
#9. U.S. Route 20 (Island Park / Yellowstone approach), Idaho
In eastern Idaho, Highway 20 is a road that a lot of drivers try not to use in winter. It gets extremely cold, snowfall can be heavy, and the long gaps between services make any problem harder to deal with. Most locals wait for a better window to travel unless they genuinely have no choice.
#10. I-80 (Donner Pass / Sierra Crossing), Nevada
This is where Nevada’s winter driving reputation really shows. As I-80 climbs west of Reno, heavy snow, chain controls, and sudden closures are common. Locals know that even a routine-looking forecast can turn this stretch into a slow, tense drive once storms hit the Sierra.
Infographic showing the most avoided winter roads in the country
“What stood out to us wasn’t just that people avoid certain roads in winter – it’s that these decisions are often driven by perception as much as conditions,” says a spokesperson for RVWindshieldReplacement.com. “Darkness, exposure, high winds, and the fear of sudden ice or debris all play a role. Even when a road is technically open and maintained, drivers will reroute if it feels unpredictable. That instinctive caution is completely human – and it highlights how winter driving anxiety can change behavior long before an accident ever happens.”
