The Most Dangerous Section of Interstate in the US

I-80 between Laramie and Rawlins, WY

Famously, this section of I-80 between Laramie and Rawlins, WY opened on October 3, 1970…and closed four days later due to a snowstorm, causing half a dozen accidents and multiple injuries requiring hospitalization. The history of this road ever since has been a litany of accidents, including at least a half-dozen multi-vehicle pile-ups, injuries, and fatalities. Word is the Old Timers told the Feds to build I-80 along the path of already existing Union Pacific and US-30, but the Feds decided to build it here because it was shorter. In these parts, it is a go-to source of grievance against the Federal government, and it’s hard to disagree. Travel in Wyoming is generally hazardous, what with winding roads, the weather, the wind, and the wildlife; also, being so rural, it’s completely dark at night. I don’t drive at night unless forced to. However, this part of Wyoming has particularly dangerous weather patterns that US-30, only a few miles away, is not subject to. It can be complete white-out conditions on I-80 while being sunny and blue skies on US-30, and it only takes an inch of snow for a white-out. Being an interstate, the road has top speeds of 75 mph and is heavily traveled by out-of-staters unaccustomed to the conditions, as well as truckers pressured to maintain those precious, precious supply chains over safety. (Note: Information is drawn from personal experience, that of my neighbors and family, and the book Snow Chi Minh Trail by John Richard Waggener.)