Safe Places for Black Travelers
in the United States

What Makes a Place Safe for Black Travelers?

Safety for Black travelers is multi-dimensional. It's not just about crime statistics — it's about whether you'll be welcomed, whether you'll find services and businesses that serve your community, and whether you'll encounter racial hostility.

NorthStar combines all three factors — plus community-submitted safety reports — to generate safety ratings for locations across the country.

Safest Cities for Black Americans

These cities have large, established Black communities, extensive Black business networks, and track records of welcoming Black travelers:

The Green Book: From Paper to GPS

From 1936 to 1966, The Negro Motorist Green Book helped Black Americans find safe businesses and avoid hostile towns while traveling. It was essential — and it worked. Between 1936 and 1963, no deaths were reported among travelers using the Green Book.

NorthStar is built on the same principle for the 21st century:

• Real-time GPS navigation with voice alerts
• 2,400+ Black-owned businesses mapped and verified
• 2,400+ sundown towns mapped with safety ratings
• Community safety reports submitted and verified in real-time
• Safe route planning that routes you through welcoming communities

Road Trip Safety Tips for Black Travelers

1. Plan your stops in advance. Know where you'll eat, refuel, and rest — don't rely on chance in unfamiliar rural areas.
2. Check the map before you drive. Open NorthStar before any long trip and look at flagged areas along your route.
3. Keep your phone charged. Enable NorthStar's background alerts so you receive notifications even with the screen off.
4. Trust community reports. Recent community safety reports are weighted more heavily than historical data alone.
5. Share your route. Tell someone where you're going and when to expect you.
6. Report what you see. Submit safety reports in NorthStar to help other travelers in the community.

Frequently Asked Questions

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