Lucy Devine
The most dangerous state in the US has been revealed, but it might take you by surprise.
A new study about the safest places for solo travelers to visit has been published, revealing which areas of the US are the most dangerous for those heading off alone.
The number of people opting to solo travel each year is increasing, and, according to the Solo Traveler's 2024 Reader Survey, safety is a key consideration for those traveling alone.
The study of 2,400 solo travelers revealed that 22 percent had taken two solo trips in the last year, while 43 percent had taken three or more.
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Safety was a top consideration when choosing their destination, as well as weather and affordability.
Silver Law Firm has revealed the most dangerous states to travel to alone, and New Mexico has hit the top spot.
The state is located in the southwestern region, next to Colorado to the north, Oklahoma and Texas to the east and Arizona to the west.
“Solo travelers face unique vulnerabilities that groups don’t,” attorney Elliot Silver said.
“When something goes wrong, whether it’s a car accident, a medical emergency, or a legal issue, you don’t have backup.
“New Mexico’s vast rural areas mean long stretches without cell service or gas stations.
“Solo travelers here need offline maps downloaded before they leave, extra water and supplies in the car, and a clear itinerary shared with someone back home.”
The lawyers considered factors such as crime rates, road safety, transport, and emergency access - using data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics - and gave each state a safety score out of 100.
New Mexico's high rates of road accidents and violent crime both contributed to its poor score of 0.00. According to the study, Arkansas was found to be the second most dangerous state for solo travelers, with a score of 10.39, and Tennessee came in third with a score of 13.68.
However, despite the lowest score out of all of the states, New Mexico is often popular with tourists, thanks to cities such as Santa Fe.
Jonathan Thompson is a travel journalist who has spent 10 years living and working in the US.
During this time, he's managed to visit all 50 states, and has some recommendations about the places you should and shouldn't visit.
Interestingly, he placed Santa Fe in New Mexico at the top of his visit list, as well as Juneau in Alaska, Bend in Oregon and Portland in Maine.
However, there are places to skip, too, thanks to high crime rates. For example, Clovis in New Mexico and Pahrump in Nevada.
Thompson also said that Gary, in Indiana, is right at the bottom of his travel list and somewhere he would never recommend to anyone.