Major Highways Around Rochester and Their Accident Hotspots

Rochester’s Busy Roads and Rising Accident Risks

Rochester, NY is more than just a beautiful city by Lake Ontario. It’s the center of a busy region filled with working professionals, families, students, and commercial drivers all sharing the road. Whether you’re headed to a tech job downtown or running errands in Greece or Henrietta, you’ve likely driven on one of the many highways crisscrossing Monroe County.

With so many vehicles moving across I-490, I-390, and other expressways every day, the risk of serious collisions rises sharply. Many of these routes see thousands of cars per hour, especially during morning and evening commutes. Monroe County’s dense highway system helps connect suburban towns like Irondequoit, Pittsford, and Gates to downtown Rochester, but that same web of roads also creates danger zones. In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at Rochester NY car accidents, where they tend to happen, and how traffic safety in Monroe County could improve.

If you’ve been in a highway crash or suffered injuries due to someone else’s carelessness, Horn Wright, LLP is here for you. Our attorneys know Rochester’s roads, its courts, and how to fight for your rights. From the first consultation to the final settlement, we’ll help you handle your Rochester car accident claims so you can focus on healing.

I-490: The City’s Main Artery Through Downtown Rochester

Interstate 490 slices through the heart of Rochester. It connects the western suburbs, like Gates and Chili, to the downtown core before heading east toward East Rochester and Victor. While this makes it a vital commuter link, it’s also one of the most dangerous highways in the area.

Accidents happen most often in a few specific spots:

• Near the Inner Loop exits, especially where exits and on-ramps overlap
• At the Goodman Street interchange, where short ramps and sudden merges cause bottlenecks
• Around the Genesee River bridge, where slick pavement and poor visibility increase crash risks

According to data from the New York State Department of Transportation, these areas are flagged for frequent emergency response calls. Weather plays a major role too. Fog rolling in from the river or ice forming during late fall and winter often causes rear-end collisions or spinouts.

The road design doesn’t help. Tight curves, faded lane lines, and short merge zones mean drivers have little time to react. When you add in heavy commercial traffic and distracted driving, the result is clear: I-490 Rochester traffic accidents remain one of the top sources of downtown Rochester crashes.

I-390: The Southern Bypass With High-Speed Hazards

I-390 serves as a fast bypass for drivers avoiding downtown congestion, but it comes with its own set of risks. It links the Greater Rochester International Airport to southern suburbs like Henrietta and Brighton before merging with I-90. On paper, it looks like a direct route. In practice, it’s a high-speed corridor with sharp lane shifts, heavy truck traffic, and sudden slowdowns.

Some of the worst hotspots on I-390 include:

• The I-390/I-590 split, where drivers often make last-minute lane changes
• Lehigh Station Road exits, which see a mix of local shoppers and highway-speed vehicles
• The Jefferson Road corridor, especially near big-box retail and service entrances

These zones are risky for one simple reason: complexity. Cars zip along at 65 miles per hour, then slam on the brakes for congestion or cross-traffic. Commercial trucks trying to merge only add to the unpredictability.

For anyone commuting through Henrietta or accessing the Thruway, consider alternate routes during peak hours. Route 15 and East River Road provide slower, safer options. And if you must drive the corridor, avoid distractions and leave extra space. I-390 Rochester accident hotspots continue to claim attention from both state police and local EMS teams.

I-590 and Route 590: North–South Corridors With Merging Risks

Together, I-590 and Route 590 stretch from Brighton all the way to Irondequoit Bay. These north–south expressways act as vital connectors between southern suburbs and the Lake Ontario shoreline. But along the way, they’re filled with trouble spots that test even experienced drivers.

Key accident-prone zones include:

• The Clover Street exit (Route 65), which often has backlogged cars merging at awkward angles
• The Monroe Avenue interchange, where tight turns and poor signage confuse out-of-town drivers
• Empire Boulevard, especially where NY-590 narrows and traffic bunches up before the Bay Bridge

These areas see a lot of side-impact crashes and rear-end collisions. Shoulder space is minimal, lanes are narrow, and sudden lane changes are frequent. It’s easy to get boxed in or caught off guard.

In winter, things get even worse. Irondequoit Bay brings heavy winds and black ice, while the bridges stay slick well into April. All of this makes I-590 Rochester accidents and Brighton highway crashes more likely than drivers might expect.

The New York State Thruway (I-90): Monroe County’s Freight Lifeline

I-90 doesn’t run through Rochester’s city center, but it remains one of the most important highways for the region. As part of the New York State Thruway system, it links Rochester to Buffalo in the west and Syracuse to the east, carrying thousands of commercial trucks every day.

There are two key danger areas along the Monroe County stretch:

• Exit 46 (Henrietta), where local traffic meets long-haul semis entering or leaving the Thruway
• Exit 47 (Leroy), where visibility often drops and speed changes lead to chain-reaction collisions

The challenges along I-90 aren’t always about reckless driving. Sometimes, it’s just the mix of slow local vehicles and fast-moving freight. Add in freezing fog, narrow bridges, and unexpected lane closures, and accidents become hard to avoid.

Toll plazas and rest areas also contribute to risk. Sudden stops and merging patterns near service areas often catch drivers off guard. That’s why upstate New York trucking accidents remain a key safety concern for Monroe County law enforcement.

Route 104: The Lake Ontario Expressway’s Hidden Dangers

Route 104 runs just south of Lake Ontario, connecting towns like Greece, Irondequoit, and Webster. It’s a major commuter route for thousands of local residents, especially during morning and evening rush hours. But for all its convenience, it hides real danger.

Risky intersections and trouble areas include:

• Hudson Avenue, where traffic lights create frequent backups
• Five Mile Line Road in Webster, where commercial driveways make it hard to spot turning vehicles
• Bay Road, where traffic often accelerates too quickly after exiting

During peak hours, Route 104 becomes a stop-and-go mess. Sudden stops near retail centers lead to rear-end crashes. And because the road runs close to the lake, fog and drifting snow can make visibility disappear in seconds.

Drivers often underestimate how dangerous this expressway can be. Route 104 accident Rochester NY reports show patterns of rush-hour collisions, and both Greece and Webster emergency responders regularly deal with traffic delays caused by preventable crashes.

Route 31 and Route 390 Interchange: Suburban Growth, Rising Congestion

The intersection of Route 31 (Ridge Road) and I-390 was once a manageable merge zone. But as suburban Rochester has grown, particularly around Greece Ridge and Marketplace Mall, traffic has surged. Today, this interchange sees more congestion and more collisions than ever before.

Specific problems at this interchange:

• Rear-end crashes caused by cars stopping for red lights under the I-390 overpass
• Confusing merge lanes where new drivers hesitate or brake suddenly
• High pedestrian activity near bus stops and mall entrances

Monroe County has started updating traffic signals and expanding certain lanes, but progress is slow. Until improvements are complete, drivers should expect delays and drive defensively. Greece NY car accidents often originate from this very junction, and the volume of daily traffic keeps rising.

Seasonal and Weather-Related Crash Trends in Rochester

Every winter, Monroe County turns into a snowbelt. Storms blow in from the lake. Ice clings to bridges and ramps. And expressways across Rochester become accident zones for months on end.

According to NYSDOT and the National Weather Service Rochester office, crash frequency spikes in:

• December, during early snowfalls and holiday traffic
• January, when low temperatures and black ice peak
• March, as snow melts and creates slick morning roads

To avoid crashes in winter, try these safety measures:

• Switch to winter tires before November
• Leave extra following distance, especially on bridges and overpasses
• Slow down early when approaching intersections or exits

Winter driving safety Rochester NY efforts include public service messages and salt truck deployment, but ultimately, each driver has to adapt. Monroe County snow accidents are preventable, but only if people stay cautious when the weather turns.

What Drivers Can Do After a Highway Accident in Rochester

Getting into a crash is overwhelming. You’re shaken up. Traffic’s backing up behind you. Maybe you’re injured, or someone else is. It’s hard to know what to do in those first few minutes, but the steps you take can make a big difference later.

Here’s what to do after a Rochester highway crash:

• Move your vehicle to a safe spot if possible
• Call 911 and wait for police or EMS to arrive
• Exchange information with all drivers involved
• Document the scene with photos and witness names
• Seek medical care, even if injuries seem minor

New York’s no-fault insurance system helps cover basic medical costs, but it also limits how some claims are handled. If your injuries are serious or permanent, you may have the right to sue for additional compensation. A local Rochester car accident lawyer can explain your rights under state law.

Final Takeaway: Drive Smart, Stay Alert, Protect Your Rights

Rochester’s highway network offers fast connections, but with that speed comes serious risk. Whether you’re driving through Henrietta on I-390 or heading east on I-490, staying alert is one of the best ways to avoid tragedy. Keep an eye on seasonal hazards, be patient in merge zones, and report dangerous road conditions when you can. Road safety helps everyone in Monroe County, not just the drivers behind the wheel.

If you or someone you know was injured on a Rochester highway, reach out to our team to discuss your case. Horn Wright, LLP, is ready to help you protect your rights and seek justice.