I-290: fatal crashes in every state
From 2015 to 2024, 108 fatal crashes on I-290 killed 125 people across the 2 states it runs through, the 64th most of any interstate. In 2024 there were 6 fatal crashes and 7 deaths on the road.
I-290 by state: fatal crashes, deaths and per mile
Illinois has the most fatal crashes on I-290, 82 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-290 in Illinois | 82 | 98 | 4 | ||
| 2 | Massachusetts | 24 | 25 | 2 |
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-290 by year
| Year | Fatal crashes | Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 7 |
| 2023 | 11 | 12 |
| 2022 | 11 | 16 |
| 2021 | 22 | 23 |
| 2020 | 18 | 20 |
| 2019 | 8 | 9 |
| 2018 | 11 | 11 |
| 2017 | 5 | 9 |
| 2016 | 6 | 7 |
| 2015 | 10 | 11 |
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-290
The heaviest slot is Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 12 fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024. The worst hour is 2 am to 3 am; the worst month is August.
| Midnight to 4 | 4 to 8 am | 8 to noon | Noon to 4 | 4 to 8 pm | 8 to midnight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun | 11.1 percent, 12 fatal crashes | 6.5 percent, 7 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 7.4 percent, 8 fatal crashes |
| Mon | 5.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Tue | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Wed | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
| Thu | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.0 percent, 0 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes |
| Fri | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 2.8 percent, 3 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes |
| Sat | 5.6 percent, 6 fatal crashes | 3.7 percent, 4 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 0.9 percent, 1 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes | 1.9 percent, 2 fatal crashes |
By hour
By month
- Jan7.4%
- Feb5.6%
- Mar6.5%
- Apr2.8%
- May9.3%
- Jun12.0%
- Jul11.1%
- Aug17.6%
- Sep6.5%
- Oct10.2%
- Nov1.9%
- Dec9.3%
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-290 first hit
The first harmful event was a collision with another vehicle in 38%; a fixed object such as a tree, pole or barrier in 36%, a pedestrian in 19%, a rollover in 2.8%.
| First harmful event | Fatal crashes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle | 41 | 38% |
| Fixed object (tree, pole, barrier, ditch) | 39 | 36% |
| Pedestrian | 20 | 19% |
| Rollover | 3 | 2.8% |
| Other | 3 | 2.8% |
| Parked vehicle | 2 | 1.9% |
| 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-290 compare with the United States
A drinking driver was recorded in 36% of fatal crashes in I-290 from 2015 to 2024, above the US share of 26%; speeding in 51%, above the US share of 27%; a hit-and-run in 12%, above the US share of 6.5%; a driver recorded as distracted in 4.6%, below the US share of 8.7%; 51% of passenger-vehicle occupants killed with belt use known were unbelted, above the US share of 49%. Shares of fatal crashes from 2015 to 2024, against the share across all US roads.
| I-290 | US | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| On rural stretches | 0.9% | 43% | below the US share |
| In the dark, road unlit | 6.5% | 28% | below the US share |
| A drinking driver | 36% | 26% | above the US share |
| Speeding | 51% | 27% | above the US share |
| A distracted driver | 4.6% | 8.7% | below the US share |
| Occupants killed unbelted | 51% | 49% | above the US share |
| Hit-and-run | 12% | 6.5% | above the US share |
| A motorcycle involved | 10% | 16% | below the US share |
| Pedestrians among the dead | 18% | 17% | about the same as 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-290
- How many fatal crashes have there been on I-290?
- 108 fatal crashes killed 125 people on I-290 from 2015 to 2024, across the 2 states it runs through. In 2024 there were 6 fatal crashes and 7 deaths.
- Which state has the most fatal crashes on I-290?
- Illinois, with 82 fatal crashes and 98 deaths from 2015 to 2024; Massachusetts is second with 24.
- When do fatal crashes on I-290 happen most often?
- The heaviest slot from 2015 to 2024 was Sunday, midnight to 4 am, with 12 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-290 numbers come from
Counted from NHTSA's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 2024 Annual Report File: every fatal crash whose road NHTSA filed as I-290, 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.