Maryland’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

Maryland’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster (And How to Survive Them)
By a Well-Traveled Survivalist Who’s Seen More Than One Apocalypse Coming Over the Horizon

Disasters don’t wait for the weather to clear, the traffic to thin, or your gas tank to fill up. Whether it’s a hurricane bearing down on the Chesapeake, a Nor’easter crashing across the Appalachians, or a cascade of man-made chaos clogging the I-95 corridor, Maryland has more than its fair share of roads that’ll turn a bad day into a nightmare.

I’ve driven the swampy logging routes of the Deep South, carved wheel paths through the deserts of New Mexico, and braved snow-walled passes in the Rockies. But few places test your mettle like Maryland in a full-blown disaster. It’s a mix of suburban sprawl, tight mountain roads, waterfront lowlands, and decades-old infrastructure built for a population half its current size.

Here’s my take on Maryland’s worst roads during a disaster—and more importantly, how to survive them.


The Roads You Should Avoid Unless You’re Desperate—or Skilled

1. I-95 Through Baltimore
This beast is always congested. In a disaster, it’s the first to jam up with panicked drivers. Bridges, tunnels, and limited exits make it a trap if you don’t know your detours.

2. Route 50 Eastbound to the Bay Bridge
On a holiday weekend, this stretch looks like a parking lot. Add a hurricane evacuation and you’ve got a recipe for gridlock from Annapolis to Queenstown.

3. I-270 Corridor Between Frederick and the D.C. Beltway
A death funnel of commuter traffic. During an emergency, the already-bottlenecked lanes become impassable. Back roads may be your only option.

4. Route 1 Through College Park
Choked with lights, pedestrians, and poor drainage. Avoid it when the rain starts falling—flooding is a real problem here.

5. I-70 Near Ellicott City
Heavy truck traffic and tight turns combine with steep elevation. Add snow or flooding and it’s game over.

6. Route 2 (Ritchie Hwy) Through Glen Burnie
Urban sprawl, constant commercial traffic, and confusing side streets make this a slow death in any emergency scenario.

7. MD-140 Between Westminster and Reisterstown
Hilly terrain and a lack of shoulder space turn minor accidents into massive pileups.

8. MD-32 Between Columbia and Annapolis
Known for fast-moving traffic and sudden slowdowns. In a bug-out scenario, the margin for error disappears.

9. I-83 Jones Falls Expressway
A concrete chute through Baltimore prone to accidents and flooding. No shoulders mean no mercy.

10. US-301 South of Waldorf
A long, flat corridor that bottlenecks at every town along the way. One wreck and you’re stuck behind miles of brake lights.


15 Survival Driving Skills That’ll Keep You Alive

You don’t need to be a stunt driver to survive a disaster—but you do need to think like one. Here are 15 hard-earned skills every survivalist driver should master:

  1. Reverse Driving at Speed – Learn to back up quickly and in control. Sometimes there’s no room to turn around.
  2. Tactical U-Turns – Not all U-turns are legal or easy. Know how to execute a quick 3-point or bootleg turn under pressure.
  3. Driving Without Headlights – Essential for stealth at night. Learn to use peripheral lighting and ambient glow to see without being seen.
  4. Engine Braking – In rough terrain, using gears to slow the vehicle prevents brake failure and loss of control.
  5. Emergency Lane Changes – Quick, controlled swerves to avoid obstacles or evade threats.
  6. Skid Recovery on Ice or Wet Pavement – Practice counter-steering and throttle control until it’s instinct.
  7. Off-Road Navigation Without GPS – Know how to read terrain and follow utility lines, ridgelines, or watercourses.
  8. Water Crossing Techniques – Know your vehicle’s wading depth and never cross fast-moving water. Walk it first if unsure.
  9. Driving with Damaged Tires – A tire plug kit, compressor, and knowing how to drive on a flat can keep you moving.
  10. Spotting Ambush Points – Pay attention to chokepoints, overpasses, or blind curves—classic ambush zones.
  11. Using Vehicles as Cover – In active threat situations, park at angles to create visual and ballistic cover.
  12. Silent Parking & Idling – Practice arriving undetected: lights off, coast in, engine kill, brake gently.
  13. Urban Evacuation Tactics – Don’t follow traffic. Use alleys, sidewalks, and parking structures if needed.
  14. Fuel Rationing While Driving – Maintain constant speed, limit acceleration, and coast when possible.
  15. Using a Manual Transmission When Power Fails – Know how to clutch start a manual if your battery’s dead.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

Even the best-prepared can run dry. Here’s how to cheat the system when the pumps are down:

1. Siphon from Lawn Equipment and Abandoned Vehicles
Keep a siphon pump or tubing in your emergency kit. Don’t forget to check boats, motorcycles, RVs—anything with a tank.

2. Emergency Fuel from Alcohol-Based Products
Gasoline engines can sometimes run short-term on denatured alcohol or ethanol-heavy fuels (like E85), though it’s hard on the engine. Use only in desperation. Make sure to filter first.

3. Gravity-Feed Jerry Can Setup
If your fuel pump dies, rig a gravity feed system using a jerry can strapped above the engine line. Run a fuel-safe hose directly to the carburetor or intake line.


Tactical Advice: Maryland Edition

Now let’s bring it home to Maryland. The Chesapeake region is a hotbed of natural and manmade threats: hurricanes, coastal flooding, chemical spills, even cyberattacks disrupting traffic signals. If you’re caught in a disaster, every second counts. Don’t follow the herd. Most evac plans will funnel everyone onto a few major arteries, and those are the first to fail.

Instead:

  • Know your county’s emergency routes. Memorize them—not just the map, but the feel of the road at night, in rain, under stress.
  • Use railroad access roads, utility trails, and undeveloped fire lanes. They often run parallel to major roads but are less traveled.
  • Scout in advance. Take day trips to explore backwoods passes across Harford, Carroll, and Garrett Counties—places where traffic can’t follow.
  • Keep a bug-out vehicle that isn’t flashy. Something with 4WD, good clearance, and preferably without fancy electronics that can fail under EMP or flood conditions.

Parting Thoughts from the Driver’s Seat

I’ve spent nights under the stars in a Humvee outside Kandahar, and I’ve crawled through DC traffic with a Geiger counter on the dash during a drill that got way too real. If there’s one truth that crosses all terrain and all threat levels, it’s this:

The road to survival isn’t the fastest. It’s the one only a few know.

Don’t wait until the sky turns green or the sirens wail. Know your routes, tune your ride, and drive like your life depends on it—because one day, it just might.


Mississippi’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

Mississippi’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster: A Survivalist’s Field Guide

I’ve spent a fair share of my life behind the wheel—traversing deserts, dodging floods in the Amazon basin, crawling over icy switchbacks in the Alps, and even navigating war-torn backroads in Eastern Europe. But if there’s one place that surprises you when disaster strikes, it’s Mississippi. She might wear a calm, slow-moving Southern charm on the surface, but when nature loses her temper, the Magnolia State’s roads turn into a web of pitfalls, traps, and survival puzzles that test your grit behind the wheel.

In disaster scenarios—be it hurricanes, floods, tornados, or civil unrest—your vehicle becomes more than transportation. It becomes your mobile shelter, your escape route, your lifeline. And you better believe the roads you choose can either carry you to safety or trap you in a nightmare. So let’s dig into it—what roads to avoid, how to drive like a survivor, and what to do when your tank runs dry in the middle of nowhere.


The Roads That Turn Against You: Mississippi’s Worst During a Disaster

1. U.S. Highway 90 – Gulf Coast
U.S. 90 hugs the Mississippi coastline—a region notorious for storm surges. During hurricanes like Katrina, this road was swallowed whole by the Gulf. Bridges collapse, lanes disappear under waves, and escape becomes impossible once the water rises. Avoid it during any coastal evacuation.

2. I-10 and the Bay St. Louis Bridge
When evacuating westward, folks hit I-10. But the bridge over Bay St. Louis? It’s a choke point. One lane closure or flood surge, and you’re stuck for hours, maybe days. If disaster’s looming, skip it.

3. Highway 49 – Hattiesburg to Gulfport
This is the main evacuation route from inland to the coast. That means in a disaster, everyone uses it. It clogs faster than a sink in a sandstorm. Plus, it’s flood-prone and riddled with low shoulders.

4. U.S. Route 61 – The Blues Highway
Stretching from Natchez to Memphis, U.S. 61 cuts through the Delta. Beautiful country—until it rains. The Delta’s flatlands mean floodwaters spread fast and wide. Visibility drops, hydroplaning increases, and shoulder pull-offs are rare.

5. Mississippi Highway 16 – Between Canton and Carthage
This road’s notorious for rural isolation. Cell signal’s weak, and it floods like clockwork every rainy season. When you’re alone out there with no signal and rising water, you’re not escaping—you’re surviving.

6. Natchez Trace Parkway
Scenic? Yes. Safe during a disaster? No. This two-lane parkway has limited exits, minimal lighting, and no commercial services. Once you’re on it, you’re committed.

7. I-55 – North-South Lifeline or Bottleneck?
It’s the primary artery between Jackson and Memphis. But with a major evacuation, it turns into a parking lot. Add a fuel shortage or a traffic incident, and it quickly becomes a metal graveyard.

8. MS Highway 24 – Between Liberty and McComb
Winding, poorly maintained, and flood-prone. When it rains, it’s a mudslide waiting to happen. Not ideal when you need speed and clarity of direction.

9. County Road 513 – Clarke County
Barely paved in sections. Full of switchbacks, logging trucks, and culverts that overflow with the slightest drizzle. Locals call it “Snakeback.” Avoid unless you’re desperate.

10. Any Backroad in the Delta During Tornado Season
Mississippi’s backroads in the Delta look quaint—until you’re racing against a twister. No cover, no exits, and crumbling asphalt. Trust me, I’ve driven those roads during storms, and it’s like rolling the dice with your life.


15 Survival Driving Skills for Disaster Scenarios

  1. Fuel Load Planning – Always start every trip with a full tank, and top off at half.
  2. Route Reconnaissance – Learn three exit routes: major road, secondary road, backroad.
  3. Night Driving without Headlights – Practice using low-beams or parking lights to stay unseen during civil unrest.
  4. Driving Through Flooded Roads – Know the depth limit (6 inches can stall most cars), and never cross moving water.
  5. Using Mirrors for Perimeter Checks – Keep aware of your six. Situational awareness prevents ambushes.
  6. Brake Fade Management – Pump brakes if descending long hills after heavy use—don’t ride them.
  7. Driving in Reverse Under Pressure – Practice reversing fast and straight in an open field or lot.
  8. Precision Steering Over Debris – Learn to aim between tire-puncturing debris in tight spaces.
  9. Push-Start (Manual Transmission) – Learn how to roll and jump-start a dead manual car.
  10. Window Exit Techniques – Know how to break glass underwater or jammed—keep a spring-loaded punch in your console.
  11. Camouflage Your Vehicle – Mud and branches can break up your silhouette from aerial drones.
  12. Off-Road Tire Pressure Adjustment – Lowering PSI gives traction in sand or mud.
  13. Roadblock Bypass – Practice turning around quickly or taking medians without damaging your undercarriage.
  14. Driving with a Blown Tire – Keep control, slow down, and ride the rim to safety if needed.
  15. Trailer Hitch Defense – Use hitches and reinforced bumpers to nudge through obstacles or abandoned vehicles.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

  1. Gravity-Fed Fuel Siphon from Abandoned Vehicles
    Keep a length of clear tubing and a small gas can. Use gravity and suction to siphon gas from vehicles lower than yours. Be quick, be quiet, and avoid breathing fumes.
  2. Turn Your Car into a Solar Shelter
    Out of gas and sun’s beating down? Use Mylar blankets in your emergency kit to reflect sunlight away from the windows. Set up shade, insulate with clothes or mats, and use water strategically.
  3. Bike Conversion Emergency Rig
    If you’re packing minimalist, mount a folding bike on your rig. When gas runs out, detach and ride out with your bug-out bag. You can even strap small trailers to bikes to haul essentials.

Final Thoughts from the Road

Mississippi is a beautiful, complicated place. Her roads tell stories—some long and slow, others sudden and tragic. When disaster strikes, it’s not just about escape. It’s about staying sharp, planning ahead, and being willing to do what others can’t or won’t.

I’ve seen families make it out because they chose the unpaved road while others sat idling in gridlock. I’ve met men who used a siphoned quart of gas to jump two cars and carry a diabetic neighbor to safety. You don’t need to be a superhero. You just need to be prepared.

So keep your tank full, your eyes wide, and your hands steady. And when Mississippi turns mean, you’ll be the one who gets through—not because of luck, but because you drove like a survivor.

Kentucky’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

Kentucky’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster – A Survivalist’s Guide Behind the Wheel

When you’re out there chasing the horizon or trying to outrun a storm, road knowledge can mean the difference between getting home and getting stuck. I’ve driven through hurricanes in Louisiana, blizzards in Montana, and flash floods in Arizona—but Kentucky’s terrain? It’s a whole different beast when disaster strikes. Steep hollers, crumbling coal roads, dense forest routes, and low-lying flood zones make for a recipe that’ll test the mettle of even the most seasoned driver.

If you’re reading this, you’re likely someone who doesn’t want to wait for FEMA or the county sheriff to come save your hide. You want to know how to drive your way out of the fire—literally and figuratively. And I’m here to make sure you can.

Let’s start with the roads you should know to avoid—or at the very least, approach with extreme caution when the world goes sideways.


Kentucky’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

1. KY-66 (Bell County): Twists tighter than a coiled copperhead and flanked by rockslide-prone hills. In a storm, it’s just a serpentine death trap.

2. US-119 (Harlan to Pikeville): A coal country mainline that turns treacherous with even a light rain. Landslides, black ice, and fog make this a no-go during emergencies.

3. KY-15 (Breathitt and Perry Counties): If flooding is the game, this road plays it better than most. Overflow from nearby rivers submerges it faster than a flat-bottom boat can float.

4. KY-192 (Daniel Boone National Forest): Deep woods, no cell signal, and slick as owl snot when it rains. You break down here? You’re your own cavalry.

5. KY-80 (Pulaski County): A high-traffic stretch with poor drainage and deadly curves. In a crisis, it becomes a metal graveyard.

6. The Mountain Parkway (Slade to Salyersville): When the wind kicks up or snow sets in, this becomes a chute to nowhere. I once saw six vehicles slide off in one mile—ice like glass.

7. KY-899 (Floyd County): Steep grades, narrow shoulders, and patchy maintenance mean you’re one wrong move from a thousand-foot roll.

8. US-421 (Jackson County): Earthquakes might not be common in Kentucky, but landslides and flooding sure are. 421 is vulnerable to both.

9. KY-30 (Owsley and Jackson Counties): This road loves to crack and crumble under pressure. I’ve seen potholes swallow axles after a flood.

10. The Hal Rogers Parkway: Also known as the “Hal Ditch Parkway” among old-timers. Washouts, rockfalls, and poor visibility make it more trap than trail during a disaster.


15 Survival Driving Skills That Could Save Your Life

  1. Driving Without GPS: Learn to read paper maps. Don’t rely on satellites when the grid goes down.
  2. Situational Awareness: Keep your head on a swivel. Watch the sky, the road, the terrain—and always have two escape routes in mind.
  3. Reading Terrain: Knowing when the land is about to slide, flood, or freeze gives you a head start no app can offer.
  4. Driving Without Headlights: In some cases, stealth matters. Practice moving low-speed and quiet using parking lights or none at all when needed.
  5. Water Crossing Techniques: Never cross fast-moving floodwaters. For shallow, slow-moving water, stay in the center of the road where it’s highest.
  6. Rockfall Avoidance: In mountainous areas, if you see small rocks, expect big ones. Don’t stop near slopes—move past quickly and watch uphill.
  7. Brake Feathering: Learn to keep traction on ice or gravel by lightly pumping the brakes instead of slamming them.
  8. Manual Car Push-Start (if applicable): If you drive a manual transmission, knowing how to roll-start your car is crucial when the battery dies.
  9. Using Momentum Wisely: Going up muddy or snowy hills requires momentum. Don’t stop halfway or you’re sunk.
  10. Defensive Aggression: Be calm but assertive. Disaster traffic brings out the worst in people—know when to stand your ground and when to yield.
  11. Using the Shoulder: Sometimes, the shoulder is the road. Know how to safely use it, especially if you need to bypass stalled traffic.
  12. Emergency U-turns and Reversing Under Pressure: Practice three-point and J-turns. You may need to back out fast with no margin for error.
  13. Night Navigation Without Lights: Learn how to move discreetly and navigate by moonlight or ambient light if stealth or safety requires it.
  14. Overcoming Off-Road Obstacles: Fallen trees, rocks, or even small washouts—know how to build ramps, stack traction, or use winches and tow straps.
  15. Car as Shelter: Your vehicle can be a temporary safe zone. Insulate windows, block wind, and conserve battery for warmth or signals.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

1. Siphoning Fuel Safely
Old-school but effective. Carry a clear plastic hose, about 6 feet long, and a small container. Find an abandoned vehicle, insert the hose into the fuel tank (modern ones have anti-siphon devices, but some can be bypassed), create suction, and let gravity do the work. Warning: Avoid diesel if your engine runs on gas—unless you enjoy walking.

2. Homemade Fuel Additive Boost
If you’ve got just a cup or two of gas left, mix in a bit of rubbing alcohol or ethanol (not more than 10-15%) to stretch your supply. This is risky on modern engines, but in a pinch, it’ll get you another couple miles down the road.

3. Fire-for-Signal
If you’re truly stranded, don’t waste your last phone charge. Light a smoky fire using oil or rubber from an old tire to signal rescuers or passing vehicles. A thick black column of smoke still says “I need help” better than anything short of flares.


Final Words From the Road

Here’s the truth—most folks don’t make it because they froze when the time came to move. They hesitated, trusted a GPS or waited for help that never came. Kentucky’s got hills that fall, rivers that rise, and a winter wind that cuts bone-deep. If you’re planning to survive a disaster here, you need to know your vehicle, know your roads, and most of all—know yourself.

I always say: “Don’t drive faster than your guardian angel can fly—but don’t you dare stop when hell’s on your heels.” Keep your tank full, your gear packed, and your wits sharp.

This ain’t just driving—it’s survival.


Texas Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

Texas’s Worst Roads to Drive on During a Disaster

By a Well-Traveled Survivalist Who’s Seen the Best and the Worst of the Road

I’ve crisscrossed the American backroads more times than I can count, from snowbound Colorado passes to hurricane-ravaged Gulf shores. But let me tell you something—Texas is a different kind of beast. It’s big, it’s brash, and when disaster strikes, some of its roads become outright death traps. Whether you’re facing a flood, a wildfire, or another gridlocked evacuation, the road you choose may decide whether you make it out—or not.

Over the years, I’ve built up a set of survival driving skills that have saved my hide more than once, and I’m going to share them with you. But first, let’s talk about the roads in Texas you’ll want to avoid like a snake nest in a dry creek bed during a crisis.


Roads You Don’t Want to Be On When SHTF in Texas

1. Interstate 35 (I-35) – From Laredo to Dallas-Fort Worth

This artery is always congested, even on a good day. In a disaster, I-35 turns into a parking lot. You’re better off knowing every farm-to-market road that parallels it if you want to stay mobile.

2. Highway 290 – Austin to Houston

Flood-prone and often backed up, especially during hurricane evacuations. If water’s coming in fast or the storm’s already spun in, steer clear.

3. Interstate 10 (I-10) – Beaumont to San Antonio

When hurricanes hit, this corridor clogs up fast. It’s wide open in places, making it a wind tunnel in a storm or a frying pan in a fire.

4. Highway 6 – College Station to Houston

Tends to become a nightmare of stalled cars, especially during major storm evacuations. Low-lying sections are prone to flash flooding.

5. Loop 610 – Houston

In any kind of urban disaster, this loop can trap you like a hog in a snare. You’ll be surrounded, boxed in, and stressed to the limit.

6. Interstate 20 (I-20) – Dallas to Midland

Prone to pileups, and in a panic-driven escape, people drive like they’ve lost their minds. Visibility drops quick in West Texas dust storms.

7. US 59 – Laredo to Houston

A major route for trucking and border traffic—clogged with semis and trailers. Don’t get caught behind jackknifed rigs.

8. Farm to Market Road 1960 – North of Houston

Overbuilt, under-maintained, and a mess during any kind of storm or power outage.

9. Spaghetti Bowl – Dallas Interchange (I-30/I-35E/I-345)

Try navigating this complex tangle when the lights go out or the GPS is dead. Not a good place to be when you’re trying to keep moving.

10. State Highway 288 – Houston to Angleton

Floods fast, drains slow. There are some stretches where water lingers like bad company after a storm.


15 Survival Driving Skills That Could Save Your Life

When the pressure’s on and seconds count, driving becomes more than just a means of transport—it becomes a survival skill. Here are 15 techniques I swear by:

  1. Know Your Terrain: Study the backroads before the disaster strikes. Keep a paper map—GPS won’t always be there.
  2. Brake Control on Slopes: Learn how to pump or feather your brakes going downhill to avoid lock-up or skidding.
  3. Hydroplaning Recovery: Ease off the gas, steer straight. Do not brake hard or jerk the wheel.
  4. Driving Through Floodwater: Never if it’s over 6 inches deep—but if you must, go slow and steady. Keep engine revs up and don’t stop.
  5. Night Vision Driving: Use your low beams in fog or smoke, and keep your windshield spotless to reduce glare.
  6. Off-Road Evasion: Learn how to jump a curb or veer off-road without flipping your rig. Know your clearance and approach angles.
  7. Manual Gear Use (Even in Automatics): Downshifting can help with control in hilly terrain or when brakes are failing.
  8. Traffic Weaving: Keep a buffer zone and learn how to “thread the needle” when stalled traffic gives you only inches to work with.
  9. Engine Overheat Management: If you’re stuck crawling in heat, kill the A/C, idle in neutral, and blast the heat to draw off engine temp.
  10. Using Medians or Ditches: If blocked in, use grassy medians or shallow ditches as escape paths—know how your vehicle handles uneven ground.
  11. Fuel Efficiency Mode: Light throttle, early shifts, and coasting techniques to stretch every last drop of fuel.
  12. Aggressive Exit Maneuvers: Practice quick U-turns, reversing at speed, and J-turns if you’re in open space and need to evade.
  13. Flat Tire Management: Know how to drive 2–3 miles on a rim or flat if safety demands it. Destroying a wheel is better than losing your life.
  14. Mirror Discipline: Never stop checking your six. Rear-view awareness in chaos keeps you ahead of threats and opportunities.
  15. Team Convoy Tactics: If traveling with others, stagger formation, use radios, and assign lead/scout/cleanup roles for safety.

3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas

When that needle hits E and you’re nowhere near civilization, ingenuity is your best friend. These aren’t perfect, but they can give you the edge to get out alive:

1. Siphon From Abandoned Vehicles (Legally & Ethically)

Always carry a siphon kit. Even when power’s out, fuel sits in tanks. Make sure you know how to bypass anti-siphon valves. Target older vehicles for ease.

2. Alcohol-Based Emergency Burn Mix

In an absolute pinch, a high-proof alcohol mix (like Everclear) can serve as a limited substitute in older gasoline engines. It burns hotter and faster, so use cautiously and only short term. Test before relying on it.

3. Gravity Drain From Fuel Line

If you have access to a vehicle with a punctured fuel system, you can gravity-drain fuel by disconnecting the line beneath the tank (ideally while wearing gloves and using a container). Dangerous, yes, but useful.


Final Thoughts

Texas is a land of beauty, pride, and wide horizons. But it’s also a place where a lack of planning can get you stranded in a flooded bayou, trapped in bumper-to-bumper traffic, or worse. Don’t count on authorities to save you—they’ll be busy. Your best shot at survival is knowledge, practice, and readiness.

When the sky darkens and the roads jam up, you want to be the one who’s already moving. Not the one looking at taillights and rising water.

Stay sharp. Stay mobile. Stay alive.