New Mexico’s Most Dangerous Highways

Which segments  of  New Mexico’s  highways have the most injuries and deaths caused by  semi-truck crashes.

Key Statistics & Trends:

• Among Highest  Fatality Rate in USA: New Mexico ranks high nationally for large truck fatalities, sometimes second highest, despite trucks being a smaller  percentage of all vehicles on the interstates.
• Disproportionate Severity: A crash involving a large truck is significantly more likely (around 4 times) to be fatal than one with a passenger vehicle.

There are over 1,118  miles of interstate highways that connect motorists in New Mexico.

These interstate highways include:

• Interstate 40 across the entire state of New Mexico (east and west), from Arizona to Texas;
• Interstate 25 across the entire state of New Mexico (north and south), from Colorado to Las Cruces, and
• Interstate 10 across southern New Mexico, from Texas to Arizona.

Tens of thousands  of commercial motor vehicles—semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, box trucks and buses use  these New Mexico interstates every day.

How many commercial vehicles  use New Mexico interstates every day?

Commercial vehicles, like tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, 18 wheelers, box trucks and buses  driving thru New Mexico make up a huge  percentage of traffic on New Mexico’s interstates.  I-40, I-25 and I-10 are the  primary commerce corridors thru the state.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) tracks the number of commercial vehicles using our interstates.  I’ve listed daily commercial vehicle counts based on Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) and truck percentages for key sections of the major interstates in New Mexico.

• I-10 (Arizona state line  to Las Cruces): Over 4,680 commercial vehicles daily (30% of 15,600 AADT average daily traffic).
• I-10 (Las Cruces to Texas state line): Over 7,128 commercial vehicles daily (22% of 32,400 AADT average daily traffic).
• I-40 (Arizona state line  to Albuquerque) Over  6,000 commercial vehicles daily (30% of 20,000 AADT average daily traffic).
• I-40 (near  the Texas state line): Over  5,920 commercial vehicles daily (40% of 14,800 AADT average daily traffic).
• I-25 (south of Albuquerque): Over  4,560 commercial vehicles daily (12% of 38,000 AADT average daily traffic).

For the most current data, you can access the interactive NMDOT traffic count map, which provides Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) and truck percentages for various road segments across the state.

Mark Caruso Identifies the Most Dangerous Highways in New Mexico

Caruso Law Offices in Albuquerque, New Mexico has been handling commercial truck  crashes on New Mexico interstates since 1987.  The firm exclusively represents victims with  serious injuries and wrongful death caused by motor vehicle crashes. Hundreds of commercial motor vehicle crashes have been settled and litigated to a jury trial by Caruso Law Offices.

Mark Caruso, the founder of Caruso Law Offices,  was named a top 5 national finalist “Truck Accident Lawyer of the Year” by the National Trial Lawyers Association, and he  is regarded  as the  top truck accident lawyer in New Mexico. He is  member of the prestigious Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group and multiple other national trucking organizations.

Given Caruso’s  personal experience with his firm’s New Mexico trucking litigation together with his knowledge of other litigation by Albuquerque, New Mexico truck accident lawyers, Mark Caruso has identified the top 4 most dangerous sections on New Mexico interstates.  Number 1 below is considered  the most dangerous and has resulted in more deaths than any other section of New Mexico interstates.

Top 4 most dangerous sections of New Mexico interstates

NUMBER 4:  Interstate 40, between Moriarty and Albuquerque

Interstate 40 between Moriarty and Albuquerque has some of the steepest grades of highway in the state requiring commercial vehicles to travel at a very slow speed up-hill and a much faster speed down-hill. Albuquerque has a  much lower elevation (around 5,000 ft), and the crest of the Sandia Mountains at Tijeras Pass has a much higher elevation (around 7,500 ft)  The road involves a significant elevation  ascent and descent both eastbound and westbound.

It’s not uncommon to see long lines of tractor-trailers going 45  mph uphill and then 80 to 90 mph downhill.  Drivers  have been injured when the tractor-trailer changes lanes  from a long line of slow moving tractor-trailers attempting  to pass other slow moving vehicles on the left.  Mos crashes involve the truck driver failing  to check for faster moving vehicles in the left lane, and the vehicles crash. Others have been injured when their vehicles are rear-ended by tractor-trailers speeding too fast downhill.

Interstate 40 between Albuquerque and Moriarty experiences frequent crashes, often severe, involving multiple vehicles, exacerbated by weather (snow, low visibility) or high speeds, leading to major backups, injuries, and fatalities, with notable incidents in late 2023 and 2024/2025 highlighting hazardous conditions, especially near mile markers 195-209.

• Two major semi-truck crashes near Moriarty (MM 195 & 192) in October 2025 involved multiple semis and cars, hospitalizing four people.
• A fatal semi-truck and RV crash in July 2025 closed I-40 westbound near Moriarty, injuring two others.
• Five separate crashes near MM 209 (Moriarty) in April 2025  involving semi-trucks and  15 other vehicles due to snow and low visibility, causing minor to severe  injuries.
• Mark Caruso and Caruso Law Offices represented the family of a 12 year old girl who was with her grandparents when their passenger vehicle  was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer. The 12 year old girl was killed and others in the vehicle were severely injured. The firm also has represented multiple clients who were severely injured when tractor-trailers changed lanes and collided into their vehicles.

NUMBER 3:  Interstate 40, just west of the Texas border  (Santa Rosa and Tucumcari)

Unlike the Tijeras Pass above, the Interstate 40  from the Texas state line  thru Tucumcari to Santa Rosa is relatively flat,  crossing the High Plains of New Mexico with gradual elevation changes, starting around 3,000-4,000 ft and climbing slightly to Santa Rosa’s  4,700 ft.  It’s a gentle, mostly flat section of the interstate with minimal noticeable gain in elevation, and no  significant mountain climbing.

Traveling westbound from the Texas state line and depending on the time of day and season, drivers have claimed that the sun appears at the top of the roadway blinding them from vehicles in front of them. Mark Caruso represented a client who was severely injured when the driver of a tractor-trailer rearended a vehicle.  The truck driver  claimed  that the vehicle was in his blind spot caused by the sun in front of him.

Additionally, traffic can slow suddenly near the Tucumcari and Santa Rosa exits, due to the  large numbers of truck stops at each exit. You will  find major truck stops like Loves and Pilot/Flying J and others near the exits.  Commercial trucks change lanes to exit the interstate, many failing to look for traffic in the lane they are merging into. Others merge onto Interstate 40  traffic at  slow speeds and fail to observe traffic behind them on the interstate.

Crashes on Interstate 40  near Santa Rosa and Tucumcari, NM, are frequent, often involving major pileups, semi-trucks, and severe weather like snow/ice, leading to fatalities and significant closures.  Recent incidents in late 2024 and 2025 were caused by truck  driver inattention and dangerous driving conditions, resulting in deadly collisions and prolonged highway shutdowns.

• A massive 43-vehicle pileup in January 2024 near Santa Rosa was caused by a semi-truck rear-ending a van in snowy conditions, triggering a chain reaction.
• A June 2025 crash near Tucumcari killed one woman and injured three in a multi-vehicle wreck. Another deadly 3-semi-truck crash occurred near Tucumcari in June 2025.
• A significant number of these incidents involve semi-trucks, leading to large pileups, road closures (like the December 2021 rollover near Tucumcari or a semi-fire in December 2025), and extended cleanups.
• A Texas trucker received a prison sentence in late 2025 for a fatal 2024 crash on I-40 near Tucumcari.

• Mark Caruso currently represents a family of a truck driver who was killed because the negligent actions of another truck driver who was speeding too fast for conditions.   The firm also secured a separate confidential multi-million dollar settlement  for a  family who was rear-ended by a tractor-trailer who claimed the sun blinded him.  Other victims and their families have received confidential 8 figure settlements from injuries or wrongful death caused by tractor-trailer drivers at this section of Interstate 40.

NUMBER  2:  Interstate 40, between Gallup and Albuquerque

For approximately 150 miles, Interstate 40 between Gallup and Albuquerque offers a scenic drive along the historic Route 66 corridor, crossing diverse New Mexico landscapes including Gallup, Grants and the Navajo Nation,. Because of  steep grades and congestion, especially around Gallup, crashes by tractor trailers are far too common involving multiple vehicles, fatalities, and significant lane closures, with recent major incidents highlighting the highway’s hazardous nature due to the following:

• High Traffic Volume: I-40 is a major east-west trucking route, increasing collision risks.  Thousands of commercial motor vehicles use this section of Interstate 40 daily.
• Weather: Conditions can change rapidly, affecting visibility and road traction.  Heavy snow and icy roads affect traction on the 80,000 pound commercial vehicle limiting stopping distances.
• Impaired Driving: Alcohol and wrong-way driving have been identified as factors in severe crashes.

Recent incidents in late 2024 and 2025 were caused by truck  driver inattention and dangerous driving conditions, resulting in deadly collisions and prolonged highway shutdowns.

• A suspected drunk driver going the wrong way on November 2025 near Gallup caused a fatal crash with multiple semi-trucks, leading to secondary accidents and lane closures in both directions.
• A fatal crash on September 2023 near Gallup involving three semi-trailers closed I-40, causing significant injuries and rerouting traffic.
• A multi-commercial vehicle crash in January 2024 shut down eastbound I-40 for hours near the Grants/Gallup corridor.

• Mark Caruso and Caruso Law Offices have represented several families whose loved ones were killed on this section of Interstate 40. A truck driver from Georgia was killed when a truck driver lost control and went off the interstate.  The family retained Caruso Law Offices and received  a federal court  jury verdict of $8.4 million.  Another family hired the firm following the death of their husband and father, a truck driver from California.  A federal court jury returned a verdict of $4.7 million against FedEx Ground. Other victims and their families have received confidential 8 figure settlements from injuries or wrongful death caused by tractor-trailer drivers at this section of Interstate 40.

NUMBER  1:  Interstate 10,  just east of the Arizona border (Lordsburg  and Deming)

The NUMBER 1 most dangerous section of any interstate in New Mexico has resulted in more deaths than any other highway in New Mexico. Interstate 10 between the Arizona state line and Deming, New Mexico, particularly near the Lordsburg Playa, is notorious for severe dust storms causing major pileups with multiple  fatalities due to sudden, near-zero visibility from blowing dust.

Driving I-10 from Deming, NM to the Arizona border is a straightforward desert journey across New Mexico’s desert Southwest.  The interstate is , mostly flat,  but stretches can be sparse  desert with cacti and no trees, wide-open spaces, and  distant mountains.

This flat sparse desert landscape can cause the most severe weather conditions in the state.  Signs warning of severe dust storms great you with flashing lights both eastbound and westbound. Watch out for these dust storms. Be prepared for dust; if visibility drops, immediately pull off the travel lanes.

This stretch of interstate 10 is notorious to the New Mexico State Police  for severe and quick dust storm dangers, leading to frequent, often deadly, pileups and highway closures due to near-zero visibility from high winds, especially during spring/summer.

Major incidents, like the 2014 interstate 10   pileup, highlight extreme risks, prompting mitigation efforts by NMDOT to stabilize land and manage these zero visibility dust storms, called “haboobs” But drivers  still face sudden, blinding conditions requiring immediate slowdowns, pulling over safely, or waiting out closures.

• Sudden Visibility Loss due to Intense Dust Storms (Haboobs): High winds rapidly lift dust, reducing visibility to near zero with little warning.  Wind picks up dust from dry lakebeds (playas), creating walls of dirt that reduce visibility to zero almost instantly, catching drivers off guard.
• Frequent Pileups: The area (especially around the Lordsburg Playa) sees regular multi-vehicle crashes, including fiery accidents, from sudden stops and collisions in the blinding dust.

• Closures & Diversions: NMDOT often closes I-10 in coordination with Arizona, diverting traffic to US 70/191, with warnings posted on nmroads.com.
• High Risk Area: The Lordsburg Playa has  frequent highway closures (27 times between 2014-2017).

Recent incidents in late 2024 and 2025 were caused by truck  driver inattention and dangerous driving conditions, resulting in deadly collisions and prolonged highway shutdowns.

• A  25-vehicle crash in June 2017 and an 11-vehicle crash in March 2025 along with dozens of other crashes caused by tractor-trailers often result in frequent  closures and traffic diversions.  Although the New Mexico Department of Transportation and New Mexico State Police have high tech to manage  the dangerous conditions existing on this section of Interstate 10, the suddenness of the dust black out continues to kill and injure drivers.

• A 2014 eight-vehicle collision due to dust storms resulted in the death of  seven people.

• A 2017 25-vehicle crash (18 commercial, 7 passenger) in June 2017 resulted in 6 fatalities, caused by sudden, extreme dust.
• An 11-vehicle crash in March 2025 near Lordsburg  killed three people, leading to significant I-10 closures.

• Mark Caruso has represented several families in whose loved ones were killed by commercial vehicles on this section of Interstate 40.  One family was involved in a dust storm where the commercial trucks ignored the coming dust storm and collided into our client’s vehicle
• Another mother with her children pulled off the interstate into the center median but were still hit by a tractor trailer resulting in severe injuries.

Important Safety Recommendations for Most Dangerous Section of  New Mexico Interstate.

• Slow Down: If you see dust, slow down immediately; do not slam on your brakes.
• Watch Out for Commercial Vehicles:  Many truck drivers routinely travel this section of Interstate 10 and don’t slow down the moment they see the dust storm starting.
• Pull Over Safely: If visibility drops to zero, pull as far off the road as possible (not in a travel lane), turn off your lights (to avoid being rear-ended), and wait for the storm to pass.  The storms typically pass quickly.
• Heed Warnings: Pay attention to alerts for wind and dust beginning to blow in the distance.  WATCH THE WARNING SIGNS FOR SEVERE DUST STORMS POSSIBLE.

Best Safety Rules to Avoid a Crash with a Commercial Motor Vehicle.

The best way to avoid a commercial truck accident is to drive defensively.  Here are some tips when driving near semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers and buses:

Remember that large trucks and buses have operating limitations such as large blind spots, long stopping distances, and limited maneuverability that make it essential for you to put extra focus on safety. Fortunately, you can take simple actions to avoid being injured in an accident with a commercial motor vehicle.

 “Ten Rules of the Road to Avoid a Crash with a Large Truck or Bus”.

These ten rules are recommended by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as the best safety practices to avoid a crash with a commercial motor vehicle.   Most of us follow all of these rules every day, but special care is needed when operating your vehicle near a large truck or bus.

1. Stay Out of the Truck’s Blind Spots

Large trucks and buses have huge blind spots around the front, back, and sides of the vehicle. If you can’t see the driver in  the truck’s side mirror, assume that the driver can’t see you. Don’t drive in a blind spot –  slow down or move ahead to  stay visible. Be particularly careful when merging near a truck or bus.  You may likely be in a blind spot.

2. Pass Safely

Make sure you can see the  driver in the bus or truck’s side mirror before passing. Signal clearly, then move into the left lane and accelerate so that you can get past the truck or bus  safely and promptly. Don’t linger in the blind spot. Make sure the truck or bus is visible in your rear view mirror before you pull in front; give it extra space. Avoid passing trucks and buses on a downgrade where they tend to pick up speed. Never pass from the right lane. When a bus or truck is passing you on the left, stay to the right and slow down slightly. Giving the driver room to pass safely helps get you out of the blind spot quicker. Remember to give trucks and buses plenty of space to merge  in front of you when coming  off ramps or changing lanes.

3. Don’t Cut It Close

Cutting in too close in front of any vehicle is always  dangerous, but it’s especially dangerous to cut off an 80,000 pound  tractor-trailer.  If you move in quickly from either side, you’re likely to be in a blind spot so the driver may not see you in time. Even if you’re visible, the truck driver may not be able to slow quickly enough to avoid a crash because of the amount of time it takes to stop.

4. Stay Back

Tailgating a tractor trailer  presents added dangers. It puts you in a blind spot. Because trucks are  so wide and high off the ground, if you  fail to stop in time (or get hit from behind) your vehicle could slide under the truck, with devastating results. Getting too close when stopped is also dangerous – particularly on an upgrade, where a bus or truck might roll back. The trailers pulled by the truck are required to have a DOT rail and bumper to help cars from going under the trailer after a rear-end crash.

5. Anticipate Wide Turns

Large trucks  require extra turning room – they swing wide, or may even initiate a turn from  a middle lane. If a tractor trailer  has its turn  signal on, never try to squeeze by it or get between the vehicle and the curb. When you stop at an intersection, never “block the box” or stop in front of the line, as buses and trucks require that space to complete turns safely.

6. Be Patient

Trucks and buses have operating restrictions, and sometimes use technology like speed limiters. Honking, driving aggressively, or weaving through traffic won’t make the trip faster, but can cause dangerous distractions  and crashes.

7. Buckle Up

Wearing your seat belt is one of the most important things that you and your passengers can do to save your lives. A seat belt may keep you in your seat and help you maintain control of your vehicle. The safest place for kids is in the backseat, buckled up or in a car seat. Be safe and always buckle up! Never attend to a text, a call, GPS, or an app while driving. Distracted driving can be as dangerous as driving impaired. Even eating while driving or adjusting your radio can take your eyes off the road long enough for a crash to occur. Don’t underestimate the speed (or overestimate the distance) of a truck or bus, particularly when making turns, merging,  or changing lanes.

9. Don’t Drive Fatigued

Take regular breaks, get another driver to relieve you, or get off the road and find a safe place  to rest.  Use rest areas and truck stops for a break.

10. Never Drive Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs

Alcohol and other drugs impair both judgment and reaction time. There is no safe limit for drinking before driving. Many prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs cause dizziness or sleepiness, and can slow reaction time. If your medication has a warning, take it seriously – have someone else drive or find another way to your destination.

Dangerous New Mexico Highways and How to Stay Safe

         New Mexico has an extremely  high rate of tractor-trailer fatalities.  53 drivers were killed on New Mexico highways in 2023. An average of 71 people were killed every year from 2017-2021   Over 20% of all fatalities on New Mexico interstates are caused by tractor-trailers.   They  cause a disproportionate number of fatal crashes and severe injuries. Studies showing crashes caused by tractor trailers are four times more likely to result in death than other vehicles.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a commercial vehicle crash, you can call Mark Caruso for a free and confidential consultation at 505-883-5000.