With what looks to be a massive winter storm coming this Sunday for Connecticut, most drivers will likely be staying at home. For those planning to brave the roads, however, you may want to avoid these three in the state.
A survey by RVWindshieldReplacement.com asked “3,004 drivers to identify the major roads Americans are most likely to avoid during winter weather.”
In Connecticut, the top road to avoid was Route 8 (Bridgeport — Waterbury), according to RVWindshieldReplacement.com: “Running north from the coast into higher terrain, Route 8 can feel deceptively manageable – until winter sets in. Snow tends to linger longer here, especially on shaded stretches, and commuters know it can turn slick fast during cold snaps.”
Following Route 8 is Interstate 84 (Danbury — Hartford), thanks to “heavy traffic, frequent curves, and icy bridges” giving “light snow or freezing rain” the chance to “slow things quickly,” according to RVWindshieldReplacement.com.
Landing in third for Connecticut is Route 44 (in the Northwest Hills). Out in those “quieter parts of northwest Connecticut, Route 44 becomes one many drivers avoid once ice is in the mix. Rolling hills, fewer plowed alternatives, and limited lighting make winter travel feel more exposed compared to routes closer to the cities.”
Frigid temperatures, foot or more snow on horizon for CT. What to know.
Curious what the most avoided winter road in the nation is? According to RVWindshieldReplacement.com, the dishonor goes to Seward Highway (Turnagain Arm & Turnagain Pass) in Alaska.
Check out the full top 10 below, courtesy of RVWindshieldReplacement.com:
Seward Highway (Turnagain Arm & Turnagain Pass), Alaska
People who’ve driven the Seward Highway for years still don’t take it lightly in winter. With sheer cliffs, known avalanche spots, and weather rolling in quickly off Turnagain Arm, conditions can change before you’ve had time to react. Once snow and ice set in, a lot of locals would rather sit tight than risk a drive that leaves very little room for mistakes.
Glenn Highway (Anchorage — Palmer / Glennallen), Alaska
For a lot of people heading out of Anchorage, the Glenn Highway is hard to avoid – but winter makes it a tougher proposition. Winds can be strong, snow blows across the road, and icy sections show up without much warning. With few places to pull over or get help if something breaks down, most drivers don’t take it lightly and will only use the route when it’s absolutely necessary.
Dalton Highway (Fairbanks — Prudhoe Bay), Alaska
This is one road Alaskans don’t “take a chance” on in winter. Extreme cold, whiteout conditions, and hundreds of miles with little help nearby mean the Dalton is widely avoided unless travel is unavoidable. For most drivers, winter simply isn’t the season to be up there.
I-94 (Detroit — Ann Arbor), Michigan
This busy commuter corridor doesn’t take much winter weather to feel difficult. Snow, ice, and heavy traffic can quickly combine into stop-start driving, and slick bridges are a common concern. It’s a stretch many drivers would rather avoid during storms if they have flexibility.
I-55 (Chicago — Central Illinois), Illinois
I-55 feels straightforward most of the year, but winter changes the equation. Open stretches are prone to blowing snow, and freezing rain can make the road deceptively slick. When visibility drops, locals often delay trips rather than push through.
I-84 (Boise —Mountain Home), Idaho
This stretch is close to Idaho’s biggest population center, but winter gives it teeth. Snow, ice, and especially strong crosswinds can make driving unpredictable, and whiteouts aren’t uncommon during storms. Locals know it’s a road you don’t rush when conditions turn.
I-95 (Cross Bronx Expressway), New York
This route is stressful on a good day – winter just raises the stakes. Snow, ice, tight merges, and heavy traffic can turn even short journeys into slow, nerve-wracking drives. When conditions worsen, locals avoid it whenever possible.
I-87 (New York City — Albany), New York
For drivers heading north out of the city, winter conditions can change fast. Snow and ice become more common as the road climbs into higher elevations, and slick patches often linger well beyond the metro area. Many New Yorkers will delay trips rather than chance this stretch during storms.
U.S. Route 20 (Island Park / Yellowstone approach), Idaho
In eastern Idaho, Highway 20 is a road that a lot of drivers try not to use in winter. It gets extremely cold, snowfall can be heavy, and the long gaps between services make any problem harder to deal with. Most locals wait for a better window to travel unless they genuinely have no choice.
I-80 (Donner Pass / Sierra Crossing), Nevada
This is where Nevada’s winter driving reputation really shows. As I-80 climbs west of Reno, heavy snow, chain controls, and sudden closures are common. Locals know that even a routine-looking forecast can turn this stretch into a slow, tense drive once storms hit the Sierra.
See each state’s most avoided winter road below, according to RVWindshieldReplacement.com:
“What stood out to us wasn’t just that people avoid certain roads in winter – it’s that these decisions are often driven by perception as much as conditions,” says a spokesperson for RVWindshieldReplacement.com. “Darkness, exposure, high winds, and the fear of sudden ice or debris all play a role. Even when a road is technically open and maintained, drivers will reroute if it feels unpredictable. That instinctive caution is completely human – and it highlights how winter driving anxiety can change behavior long before an accident ever happens.”
(The post noted: The findings come from a nationwide survey of 3,004 licensed drivers in the U.S., carried out in January 2026. Drivers were asked about the roads they tend to avoid in winter when conditions feel difficult or unsafe. The survey was run through an online panel, with quotas used to keep a good balance across age, gender, and different parts of the country. Participants were recruited using a stratified approach, and the final results were adjusted after collection to make sure they line up with national driver benchmarks.)
