Dangerous Roads and Highways
in the Permian Basin Oilfield Region

Here are eight of the deadliest highways and backroads in the Permian Basin oil region, based on crash data, truck volume, and legal case trends:

State Highway 302 (SH 302)

• Location: Runs east-west from Kermit to Odessa
• Towns Nearby: Kermit, Mentone, Notrees
• Hazards: High-speed tanker traffic, no shoulders, poor visibility at night
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SH 302 has become notorious for high-speed head-on collisions and nighttime rollover wrecks, especially involving sand haulers and crude oil trucks traveling between remote lease roads and production sites. Locals and workers alike report dangerous roads, blind curves, soft shoulders, and heavy congestion, particularly near Kermit which has become hot spot for severe semi truck crashes.

FM 1218 (Farm to Market Road 1218)

• Location: Spurs off SH 18, near Winkler County
• Towns Nearby: Kermit, Wink
• Hazards: Narrow lanes, nighttime crashes, no lighting
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FM 1218 serves as a shortcut for rigs and trailers hauling pipe and equipment into the oilfield. These roads see high volumes of tired, shift-changing drivers, many of whom operate during early morning or late-night hours — making driver fatigue a leading cause of crashes.

State Highway 18 (SH 18)

• Location: Runs north-south from Monahans to Jal, NM
• Towns Nearby: Monahans, Kermit, Jal
• Hazards: Constant oilfield traffic, heavy commercial loads, limited enforcement

SH 18 connects many key oil-producing towns and is frequently congested with oversized loads and pipe trucks. The section between Monahans and Jal is particularly treacherous due to minimal shoulders and aggressive truck speeds in poorly marked zones.

U.S. Highway 285 (US 285) – “Death Highway”

• Location: Carlsbad, NM to Pecos, TX
• Towns Nearby: Pecos, Orla, Carlsbad
• Hazards: Nicknamed “Death Highway” for a reason — extreme truck volume, few passing lanes

US 285 has one of the highest commercial truck crash rates in the nation. Known as a main artery for frac sand, chemicals, and drilling materials, this stretch is infamous for rear-end collisions, jackknifes, and multi-vehicle pileups.

FM 1776 & FM 1450

• Location: Lea and Winkler Counties
• Towns Nearby: Jal, Wink
• Hazards: Sharp turns, narrow shoulders, high-speed passing

These two-lane farm roads are frequently used by oilfield haulers moving between staging sites, frac jobs, and disposal wells. The roads lack proper infrastructure for the truck volume they carry — leading to frequent rollovers and T-bone collisions, especially near field entrances.

SH 115 (State Highway 115)

• Location: Connects Kermit to Andrews, TX
• Hazards: No median barriers, limited turnouts, fast-moving traffic

This stretch is used by oilfield service fleets and saltwater disposal trucks, and has seen numerous wrong-way and loss-of-control accidents, often at night.

FM 866 & FM 1053 Location: West of Odessa and Pecos

• Hazards: Unmarked intersections, poor maintenance, fading road stripes

These roads are critical for transport between sand yards and drilling sites, and have become overwhelmed by commercial use. Fatigued or distracted drivers frequently miss stop signs or misjudge curves, leading to severe wrecks.