At Nicolet Law, we’ve always been dedicated to
helping people after serious truck accidents.
Every day, we see how commercial freight and heavy truck traffic contribute to collisions that change lives forever. That’s why we recently set out to better understand where America’s roads face the greatest strain and where drivers may be at the highest risk of truck accidents.
To find out, we analyzed national transportation data to measure freight movement, truck miles, and road conditions across the country. We created what we call the Roads Load Index, which scores each state from 1 to 99 based on freight tonnage, vehicle miles traveled, truck miles per lane, and pavement condition. The higher the number, the more stress the roads experience, and the higher the potential for truck-related crashes.
Every year, more than 12 billion tons of freight move across U.S. highways. That number continues to grow by about 1.6% annually, putting more pressure on state infrastructure and increasing the risk of truck accidents. Our findings reveal where America’s freight activity is most intense and highlight why investing in safer, stronger roads is critical for everyone who shares the highway.
top 10 states handling
the heaviest freight traffic:
| State | Freight Moved by Trucks per 1B Miles Traveled (million tons) | Total Vehicle Miles Traveled (Million Miles) | Truck Vehicle Miles Traveled (million vehicle miles) | Truck Vehicle Miles Traveled per Lane Mile | Road Roughness Score | Roads Load Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 121 | 21.3K | 2.3K | 112.7K | 22.0 | 99 |
| Iowa | 98 | 33.3K | 4.7K | 244.1K | 14.4 | 92 |
| North Dakota | 80 | 9.9K | 1.5K | 94.6K | 9.2 | 84 |
| South Dakota | 94 | 10.3K | 1.3K | 73.8K | 10.2 | 80 |
| Kansas | 70 | 31.8K | 4.2K | 200.5K | 6.4 | 78 |
| New Hampshire | 90 | 13.5K | 899 | 134.2K | 6.0 | 75 |
| Minnesota | 67 | 58.0K | 7.0K | 298.2K | 4.2 | 73 |
| Michigan | 63 | 98.3K | 7.1K | 443.9K | 16.2 | 71 |
| Rhode Island | 65 | 7.6K | 575 | 685.4K | 31.4 | 70 |
| Vermont | 58 | 7.2K | 542 | 102.2K | 7.0 | 68 |
Nebraska Leads the Nation in Heavy Truck Traffic
Nebraska ranks first in our study with the heaviest truck traffic and highest road strain in the country.
- Trucks here move approximately 282 million tons of cargo while driving 2.3 billion miles annually.
- That means for every billion truck miles traveled, about 121 million tons of freight are being transported, the most in America.
- Each mile of road in Nebraska is used by trucks roughly 113,000 times per year, which quickly wears down the pavement.
The state’s roughness score of 22 shows the visible toll heavy freight takes on road quality. As truck accident attorneys in the Midwest, we understand how this kind of constant wear contributes to dangerous driving conditions, including uneven pavement, reduced braking distance, and a higher likelihood of vehicle damage or loss of control.
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Iowa
A Close Second with Congested Freight Routes
Iowa ranks second, with commercial trucks hauling 329 million tons of cargo while traveling 4.7 billion miles annually. Overall, vehicles in Iowa drive about 33 billion miles per year, with trucks accounting for nearly 15% of that total.
Each mile of highway here handles 244,000 truck trips every year, more than double Nebraska’s rate. The result is dense, slow-moving traffic and frequent wear on lane surfaces. We see how these congested conditions often lead to rear-end collisions, jackknife crashes, and other truck accidents caused by limited stopping distances and driver fatigue.
North Dakota
High Freight Volume on Smaller Roads
Coming in third, North Dakota handles around 120 million tons of freight annually, with truckers traveling about 1.5 billion miles. That equals 80 million tons moved for every billion miles of truck travel, nearly twice the national average. Each mile of road here experiences about 95,000 truck trips, which is significant given the state’s smaller population and infrastructure.
We know from experience that rural states like North Dakota often face unique challenges. Narrow highways, fewer rest stops, and harsh winter conditions make truck travel more hazardous, increasing the likelihood of rollover and single-vehicle accidents.
South Dakota
Freight Intensity on Limited Highways
In fourth place is South Dakota, where trucks move roughly 97 million tons of goods over 1.3 billion miles annually. With 94 million tons moved per billion miles of truck travel, South Dakota’s highways carry immense pressure relative to their size. Each mile of road sees more than 70,000 truck trips per year.
Our study suggests that while the state’s traffic volume is smaller than others, its limited infrastructure still endures significant stress. Poor road surfaces and limited lane space mean truckers and motorists alike face higher accident risks.
Kansas
Heavy Loads, Congested Roads
Kansas ranks fifth, with trucks hauling 222 million tons of freight over 4.2 billion miles. The state’s roads handle more than 200,000 truck trips per mile annually, putting Kansas among the most congested freight corridors in America.
For us, this data underscores how high-volume freight states must prioritize road maintenance and driver safety programs. The more trucks crowd the same lanes, the higher the risk of multi-vehicle pileups, blind-spot collisions, and fatigue-related crashes.
New Hampshire
Smaller Roads, Big Loads
Next is New Hampshire, ranking sixth with 121 million tons of cargo moved each year. Truckers travel approximately 899 million miles to move that freight, equivalent to 90 million tons per billion truck miles. Each mile of roadway supports around 134,000 truck trips annually, creating intense pressure on the state’s smaller highway system.
As truck accident attorneys, we frequently observe how the combination of tight New England highways and rough winter weather creates hazardous driving conditions, particularly for large commercial vehicles.
Minnesota
High Traffic Volume and Heavy Freight
In seventh, Minnesota’s highways are among the busiest in the nation, with motorists traveling over 58 billion miles every year. Out of that total, 7 billion miles are driven by trucks carrying about 387 million tons of freight. Each highway mile handles roughly 300,000 truck trips annually, revealing the scale of the state’s logistics activity.
Minnesota’s blend of dense freight traffic and icy conditions makes for complex safety challenges. We’ve helped many families affected by winter-related truck accidents, where slippery roads and limited visibility make collisions especially severe.
Michigan
Intense Freight Activity and Road Deterioration
Michigan comes in eighth. Trucks move about 621 million tons of goods across 7.1 billion miles, averaging 63 million tons per billion truck miles. Each mile of roadway handles about 444,000 truck trips every year, one of the highest totals in the country.
Heavy truck use contributes to Michigan’s well-known road deterioration. Potholes and uneven pavement increase the risk of tire blowouts, lost cargo loads, and serious truck crashes. We’ve seen firsthand how poor infrastructure plays a major role in accident severity.
Rhode Island
The Densest Truck Traffic in America
In ninth position, Rhode Island may be small, but its roads are the most overworked in the nation. Trucks carry about 49 million tons of goods over 575 million miles, resulting in 685,000 truck trips per mile per year, far more than any other state.
This extreme density creates constant congestion and wear, giving Rhode Island the roughest road conditions in our study. The state’s aging infrastructure leaves little room for error when navigating around large trucks, making accidents more likely.
Vermont
Small State, Heavy Loads
Rounding out the top ten is Vermont, where drivers travel around 7 billion miles annually, including 542 million truck miles. Freight carriers transport roughly 32 million tons of cargo, leading to over 100,000 truck trips per lane mile each year.
Although Vermont’s roads may be scenic, their narrow lanes and steep grades make them particularly dangerous for truck drivers. Our experience shows that brake failures and downhill crashes are common in mountainous regions with frequent freight traffic.
What This Means
for Drivers
Our study shows that seven of the ten states with the heaviest truck traffic are in the Midwest, a region critical for agriculture, manufacturing, and distribution. Meanwhile, Northeastern states like Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont face unique challenges from dense urban routes and aging infrastructure.
Free Case EvaluationOur Commitment to Truck Accident Victims
At Nicolet Law, we know that truck accidents are rarely simple. They often involve multiple vehicles, complex insurance issues, and serious injuries. That’s why we take a personal approach to every case, investigating the cause, determining who’s responsible, and ensuring our clients get the care and compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, we’re here to help. Our truck accident lawyers understand the trucking industry, federal safety standards, and the real-world consequences of unsafe roads. Together, we can hold negligent companies and drivers accountable.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Minnesota, Wisconsin, or anywhere in the Midwest, contact our experienced truck accident lawyers today for a free consultation and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.