I-270: fatal crashes in every state
From 2015 to 2024, 233 fatal crashes on I-270 killed 255 people across the 5 states it runs through, the 36th most of any interstate. In 2024 there were 24 fatal crashes and 25 deaths on the road.
I-270 by state: fatal crashes, deaths and per mile
Missouri has the most fatal crashes on I-270, 89 from 2015 to 2024. Each state's stretch is counted within that state; the per-mile figure needs 20 miles or more of road.
| State | Fatal crashes | Deaths | 2024 | Miles | Per 100 miles a year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-270 in Missouri | 89 | 97 | 12 | ||
| 2 | I-270 in Ohio | 84 | 95 | 6 | ||
| 3 | I-270 in Maryland | 38 | 41 | 6 | ||
| 4 | Colorado | 15 | 15 | 0 | ||
| 5 | Illinois | 7 | 7 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Mileage from the FHWA Interstate route log (table 1), the only figure here not counted from FARS.
Deaths on I-270 by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 | 25 |
| 2023 | 32 | 35 |
| 2022 | 23 | 24 |
| 2021 | 27 | 33 |
| 2020 | 28 | 29 |
| 2019 | 24 | 25 |
| 2018 | 16 | 18 |
| 2017 | 18 | 20 |
| 2016 | 21 | 26 |
| 2015 | 20 | 20 |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
When fatal crashes happen on I-270
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 17 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 1 am to 2 am; the worst month is March.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 7.3 percent, 17 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 0.4 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 3.0 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.3 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 3.9 percent, 9 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 5.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 5.6 percent, 13 fatal crashes | 2.1 percent, 5 fatal crashes | 1.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 2.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan6.9%
- Feb5.2%
- Mar11.6%
- Apr7.3%
- May10.7%
- Jun6.4%
- Jul10.3%
- Aug7.7%
- Sep8.2%
- Oct9.4%
- Nov8.2%
- Dec8.2%
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
What fatal crashes on I-270 first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 43%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 27%, a pedestrian in 16%, a rollover in 4.3%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 100 | 43% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 63 | 27% |
| Pedestrian | 36 | 16% |
| Other | 15 | 6.4% |
| Rollover | 10 | 4.3% |
| Parked vehicle | 9 | 3.9% |
| Cyclist | 0 | 0.0% |
| Not reported | 0 | 0.0% |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
How fatal crashes on I-270 compare with the United States
A drinking driver was recorded in 31% of fatal crashes in I-270 from 2015 to 2024, above the US share of 26%; speeding in 30%, above the US share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 5.6%, about the US share; a driver recorded as distracted in 13%, above the US share of 8.7%; 48% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, about the US share. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all US roads.
| I-270 | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural stretches | 2.6% | 43% | below the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 21% | 28% | below the US share |
| A drinking driver | 31% | 26% | above the US share |
| Speeding | 30% | 27% | above the US share |
| A distracted driver | 13% | 8.7% | above the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 48% | 49% | about the same as the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 5.6% | 6.5% | about the same as the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 14% | 16% | below the US share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 19% | 17% | above the US share |
Source: NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 2024 Annual Report File (released April 2026, subject to revision). How we count
Questions about fatal crashes in I-270
- How many fatal crashes have there been on I-270?
- 233 fatal crashes killed 255 people on I-270 from 2015 to 2024, across the 5 states it runs through. In 2024 there were 24 fatal crashes and 25 deaths.
- Which state has the most fatal crashes on I-270?
- Missouri, with 89 fatal crashes and 97 deaths from 2015 to 2024; Ohio is second with 84.
- When do fatal crashes on I-270 happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 17 fatal crashes.
Other interstates
- I-10 3,274
- I-95 2,778
- I-40 2,208
- I-75 2,062
- I-20 1,789
- I-80 1,774
- I-5 1,745
- I-35 1,531
- I-70 1,354
- I-15 1,188
- I-90 996
- I-85 922
The deadliest roads in America, every interstate ranked.
Where the I-270 numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash whose road NHTSA filed as I-270, in every state, with ramps, frontage and service roads left out. A fatal crash is one in which someone died within 30 days. The full method.