If you live in Utah, you know that our roads are defined by two things: aggressive construction schedules and canyon passes that turn deadly in an instant. While I-15 is frustrating due to the sheer volume of "silicon slopes" commuters, the real danger lies to the south. US Route 6 (Spanish Fork Canyon) has a reputation that stretches back decades. It is the primary connector between the Wasatch Front and the recreational lands of Moab/Price, but it is also a narrow, high-speed gauntlet filled with semi-trucks and impatient drivers.
But the canyons aren't the only red zones. From the "stroad" nightmares of Redwood Road to the winter chaos of Parley's Summit, here are the roads you need to watch out for in 2026.
1. The "Deadliest" Highway: US-6 (Spanish Fork to Price)
This road is locally infamous. It connects Spanish Fork to Green River and is statistically one of the most dangerous rural highways in the United States.
The Danger Zone:
- The Mix: You have family SUVs towing campers trying to get to Lake Powell, sharing a two-lane road with double-trailer coal trucks.
- The Risk: Passing. Impatient drivers stuck behind slow trucks often attempt risky passes on short straightaways. Head-on collisions here are frequent and usually catastrophic due to the high speeds (65+ mph).
- The Weather: In winter, the canyon floor freezes before the rest of the road. "Black ice" on the curves near Soldier Summit catches drivers off guard every year.
2. The Intersection List: 2 Spots to Watch
The Salt Lake Valley is built on a massive grid of wide, high-speed surface streets. These "stroads" (street/road hybrids) are crash magnets.
A. State Street & 4500 South (Murray)
This intersection consistently ranks as one of the most crash-prone spots in the entire state.
- The Problem: It is the intersection of two major arterial roads with confusing turn lanes and heavy commercial traffic.
- The Risk: The sheer width of the intersection means that by the time the light turns red, cars are often still stuck in the middle of the box. T-bone accidents from red-light runners are the primary threat here.
B. Redwood Road & 5400 South (Taylorsville)
Redwood Road is arguably the most stressful surface street in the valley.
- The Hazard: It is lined with hundreds of driveways, fast food entrances, and shopping centers.
- The Crash Pattern: The "Suicide Lane" (center turn lane) is a chaos zone. Drivers turning left from businesses often pull into 50 mph traffic without question, resulting in a high volume of severe side-impact crashes.
3. The Winter Monster: I-80 Parley'ss Canyon)
While I-15 gets the traffic, I-80 through Parleys Canyon gets the weather.
- The Danger: The climb from Salt Lake City to Park City is steep and exposed.
- The Wildlife: This corridor is a major migration route for moose and elk. Hitting a moose at highway speeds is often fatal for the driver.
- The Chain Reaction: When a semi-truck spins out on the steep grade near Jeremy Ranch, it often blocks all three lanes, causing massive pileups behind it as cars slide into each other on the ice.
4. The Commuter Trap: I-15 "Point of the Mountain"
The stretch of I-15 between Draper and Lehi is the bottleneck of the state.
- The Risk: Sudden stops. Traffic here moves at 80 mph and then hits a wall of brake lights near the gravel pits.
- The Glare: Driving south in the evening or north in the morning means you are often blinded by the sun reflecting off the silicon slopes. Rear-end collisions here are almost guaranteed during rush hour.
How to Survive the Drive
- Patience on US-6: If you are stuck behind a truck on the way to Moab, stay there. The few minutes you save passing aren't worth the head-on risk.
- Watch the "Box" in Murray: At State & 4500 South, do not enter the intersection unless you are sure you can clear it. Getting stuck in the middle when the light changes is dangerous (and illegal).
- Respect the Chain Laws: If the lights are flashing inParley'ss Canyon, 4WD is not a magic shield. Slow down, or take the long way around.
