The 100 deadliest days of summer: Why July 4 is the riskiest day to drive

Summer brings longer days, busier highways and the year's deadliest driving stretch. AAA labels Memorial Day through Labor Day the "100 Deadliest Days" of summer because more than 30% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers occur during those 100 days.

Add a 2025 vehicle-theft picture that's improving, but still costs Americans a stolen car every 48 seconds, and the season needs more planning than most drivers give it.

CarInsurance.com walks through what makes summer riskier, when the danger peaks, how car theft fits into the picture and the practical steps that lower your odds of a claim - or worse - on a road trip.

Key Insights

• July 4 is the deadliest day on U.S. roads - IIHS data from 2019–2023 puts the five-year death toll at 724 on that date alone, an average of 145 per year.
• AAA calls Memorial Day through Labor Day the "100 Deadliest Days" for teen drivers. More than 30% of fatal teen-driver crashes happen during this Memorial Day-Labor Day window.
• Car thefts hit a decades-long low in 2025 - 659,880 vehicles stolen nationwide, down 23% from 2024 - but the Hyundai Elantra remained the most-stolen vehicle in the country for the second straight year.
• Summer hazards go beyond traffic volume: Flash floods, tire blowouts, overheated engines, construction zones and more motorcycles on the road all raise crash risk between June and August.
• A pretrip inspection - tires, fluids, belts, air conditioning - catches most mechanical failures before they strand you.

What are the deadliest days to drive in the U.S.?

The deadliest summer driving days are concentrated around Independence Day and Labor Day, with July 4 typically being the single deadliest day of the year. From 2019 to 2023, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that July 4 averaged about 145 traffic-related deaths each year - more than any other date.

Three forces drive the spike: more cars on the road, more impaired drivers and more inexperienced teen drivers. AAA reports that on average, eight people are killed every day in teen-involved crashes during the summer, compared with seven on a typical day the rest of the year.

Days of the year with the most motor vehicle crash deaths, 2019-2023

The chart below ranks the individual dates with the most crash deaths from 2019 to 2023:

Below is a breakdown of the main hazards you may run into this summer.

Driving danger No. 1: Summer is road construction season

Many road projects run in summer because daylight hours and warm weather allow crews to finish more work. But construction zones create real risk for drivers - missed detours, sudden lane shifts and worker safety all factor in.

"Road construction can be unpredictable, especially if traveling in an unfamiliar area. If a driver is distracted by a map, they can't devote their full attention to the construction, which can cause abrupt course changes," said Kevin Quinn, vice president of claims at Mercury Insurance.

Driving danger No. 2: Flash floods and monsoons

Summer raises the risk of extreme weather, including monsoons and sudden severe storms that produce flash floods.

"You could encounter hurricane conditions in the South and East, monsoons in the Southwest, and wildfires in the West that can also cause extreme road hazards. Plus, severe thunderstorms with torrential rain and deadly lightning can occur at just about any time this summer and in many areas of the country," said Mark Friedlander, director of media relations for the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).

Don't walk across or drive through flooded roads - you or your vehicle can be swept away by rushing floodwaters.

Driving danger No. 3: Overheated vehicles and glare

Your engine can overheat fast when the antifreeze runs low. Past a certain temperature, the metal components inside the engine can warp or melt.

"Think about if this were to happen to you or a nearby motorist on the highway. This could lead to an expensive repair bill, or, more drastically, a crash resulting in an injury," Quinn said.

Before a road trip, check under the hood and top off all vital fluids, including engine coolant. Sunlight glare creates its own dangerous driving conditions.

"Always wear appropriate eyewear, and keep extra sunglasses in the car. And make sure all rear and side-view mirrors are correctly adjusted for your needs," said Rachel Davidson, owner of Brightway Insurance, The Rachel Davidson Agency.

Driving danger No. 4: Vacation traffic

Plenty of other families share your road-trip plans. Expect more congestion in midsummer, and with more traffic comes more crashes. Keep a safe stopping distance, obey the speed limit and stay patient through traffic slowdowns. Use a maps app to find the best route to your destination.

Driving danger No. 5: Motorcycles on the road

Warmer weather brings more motorcycles onto the highway. You may see lone riders or large packs, and it's easy to lose sight of a motorcyclist in your blind spot. Check carefully before lane changes or turns, keep extra following distance and remember that lane-splitting is legal in some states but not others.

Summer driving danger No. 6: Tire blowouts

Blowouts become more likely at higher driving speeds.

"When the air pressure inside a tire is too low, the rubber can flex too much and rupture. This causes the car's steering to pull immediately and one way or another, which can lead to a major crash at highway speeds," Quinn said.

Inspect your tires before any trip. Make sure your spare is properly inflated and that a tire-changing kit is in the vehicle.

"Check that you have the correct tire pressure and tread levels," Friedlander added.

Driving danger No. 7: Wild animals on the road

Summer brings more than lush foliage. Deer, raccoons, opossums and rabbits all get more active and often try to cross the road. Scan the shoulder for movement and be ready to brake.

"Additionally, as the temperature rises and droughts persist, animals may travel beyond their normal habitats in search of water," Quinn said.

Driving danger No. 8: More teen drivers on the road

Teen crash deaths cluster in June, July and August, according to IIHS. You can't predict where a teen driver will be, but giving extra space around any teen you spot is smart - they have less experience and get distracted more easily. AAA data shows more than 30% of fatal crashes involving teen drivers happen during the 100 Deadliest Days.

Driving danger No. 9: More pedestrians and bicyclists

Good weather brings more people outdoors, including walkers and cyclists. Yield right-of-way and give them room.

"The added visibility and consistent weather that appeal to drivers also appeal to pedestrians and bicyclists," Quinn said. "Maintaining a safe distance from them and paying attention to your surroundings are the best ways to keep everyone safe."

Is car theft a summer risk you should plan for?

Yes. Vehicle thefts spike in the summer, when more cars are parked at hotels, trailheads, gas stations and event lots.

The good news is that 2025 was a historic year for U.S. car-theft declines. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported 659,880 vehicles were stolen nationwide in 2025, a 23% drop from 2024 and the lowest annual figure in decades. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration still designates July as National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month, since summer parking patterns and open windows give thieves more chances.

"Coordinated prevention efforts by law enforcement, auto manufacturers, insurance companies, and the National Insurance Crime Bureau are having a major impact on vehicle thefts nationwide," said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of the NICB.

Despite the national progress, thefts stay concentrated in big metros. California reported close to 137,000 thefts in 2025, with the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area alone logging 53,911. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont and Bakersfield-Delano lead the country on a per-capita basis, each topping 477 thefts per 100,000 residents.

Washington state, Colorado and Puerto Rico saw the biggest year-over-year drops in vehicle thefts (39%, 35%, and 34%, respectively).

Thefts of Hyundai and Kia models have declined. Software fixes and free anti-theft updates pushed their combined share down to 14% of all 2025 thefts, from 16% in 2024 and 21% in 2023 - but the Hyundai Elantra remained the single most-stolen vehicle in the country.

Most stolen vehicles in 2025

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau's most recent vehicle theft report, released in March 2026, the Hyundai Elantra was the most stolen vehicle in the U.S., with 21,732 thefts reported.

"A most-stolen list mostly reflects how many of each model are on the road, so popular cars rank high on volume alone. The Hyundai and Kia entries are the exception, reflecting a built-in security gap rather than sheer numbers," said Brent Buell, lead data analyst at CarInsurance.com.

How drivers can lower car theft risk this summer

• Park in well-lit, high-traffic spots - visibility deters thieves more than any single device.
• Roll up windows and lock all doors, even at gas stops.
• Never leave a running car unattended, even for a minute.
• Keep registration, insurance cards and valuables out of view; take key fobs with you.
• Use a steering wheel lock, a kill switch or a GPS tracker - layered protection beats any single device.
• If you own a 2011-2022 Hyundai or Kia without push-button start, have your dealership install the free anti-theft software update.

How can you make summer driving safer?

Mark Friedlander recommends a short pretrip checklist that handles most preventable risks.

• Prepare your vehicle. "Get a multipoint inspection by a certified mechanic, who should inspect the condition of all belts and hoses, change the oil, top off all fluids, check the tire tread levels, tire pressure, windshield wiper blades, headlights/taillights, and the air conditioning system," Friedlander said.
• Map out your trip. Enter destinations into your GPS or smartphone before leaving. "This will provide you with real-time updates on travel time and save you from searching for addresses at the last minute," he added.
• Plan frequent breaks. Build in stops every few hours and switch drivers when you can.
• Monitor weather conditions. Check the forecast before leaving and again on the road.

"The purpose of a summer road trip is to have a positive, fun, and memorable experience with your family," Friedlander said. "The last thing you want is to encounter a vehicle breakdown because you didn't get your car checked out before hitting the road, or getting lost because you didn't properly map out your trip, or getting stranded because the road washed out due to a flash flood you weren't aware of."

What should you keep in your car's emergency kit?

Pack an emergency kit in your trunk before any road trip. The Insurance Information Institute recommends including the following items:

• Cellphone and car charger
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Road flares and hazard triangle
• Spare tire, jack and lug nut wrench
• Screwdrivers and wrenches
• Tire pressure gauge
• Gloves, blankets and towels
• Nonperishable food items (nuts, whole or dried fruit, snack bars)
• Bottled water

"Also, make sure you bring along up-to-date auto insurance ID cards and any necessary medicines, such as an EpiPen, for yourself and your family members," Davidson said.

Frequently Asked Questions: Summer driving

When are the deadliest days to drive in the summer?

July 4 is consistently the single deadliest day of the year, followed by other summer dates, including Sept. 3 (over Labor Day weekend). During the past five years, more than 5,000 people have been killed in crashes involving teen drivers during the "100 Deadliest Days," the period from Memorial Day to Labor Day when teen crash deaths historically climb.

Why are summer car thefts a concern if thefts are down nationally?

Even with a 23% national drop in 2025, NHTSA still designates July as National Vehicle Theft Prevention Month. Summer parking patterns - hotel lots, trailheads, event venues, beaches - give thieves more cover. And in metros like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., theft rates remain well above the national average.

Does car insurance cover theft on a summer road trip?

Comprehensive coverage pays for theft of your vehicle (and many of its parts) anywhere in the U.S. Liability-only policies don't cover theft. If you've dropped comprehensive coverage, your insurer can't reimburse the loss. Most lenders require comprehensive coverage for financed or leased vehicles.

"If you're leasing or still paying off your car, comprehensive coverage can pay the vehicle's current value if it's stolen. But that payout may be less than what you still owe. Gap insurance helps cover that difference, which is especially important in the first few years of a loan when the balance is often highest," said Shivani Gite, contributing writer and researcher at CarInsurance.com.

You can estimate the gap between what you'd owe and what your car is worth with a gap insurance cost calculator.

What should you do if your car is stolen during a road trip?

Call 911 first to report the theft and get a case number. Then call your insurer to start the claim - they'll want the police report number, your VIN and a list of valuables that were in the car. If you have rental reimbursement coverage, ask how to access it before your trip continues.

Are summer accidents covered the same way as winter accidents?

Yes. Summer-specific causes - hailstorms, flash floods, hitting an animal, wildfire damage - are typically covered under comprehensive coverage. Collisions with another vehicle fall under collision coverage. The cause of the crash matters more for your rate than the season.

Your next steps before the next road trip

• Review Friedlander's pretrip vehicle checklist at least 48 hours before you leave - tires, fluids, belts, AC.
• Confirm your policy includes comprehensive and collision coverage if you're driving a financed or higher-value vehicle.
• Pack the Triple-I recommended emergency kit and add medications, ID cards and a paper copy of your route.
• If you own a Hyundai or Kia model from 2011-22 without push-button start, schedule the free dealer anti-theft software update.
• Plan your driving around daylight hours during holiday weekends - especially Independence Day and Labor Day.

This story was produced by CarInsurance.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.

Copyright 2026 Stacker Media, LLC

This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 6:30 AM.