In order to analyze operational risk difference between urban road tunnel and highway tunnel, through investigation of operational tunnel and data collection from traffic accidents, the operational risks of urban road tunnels and highway tunnels are compared from three aspects, i.e. tunnel structure and facilities, external environment and traffic characteristics. The results show that: (1) Compared with highway tunnel, urban road tunnel has greater operational risk in terms of structure. (2) The probability of serious traffic accident of vehicles in urban road tunnel is lower than that in highway tunnel, but its social risk is higher because of its influence on urban traffic. (3) In the process of prevention and control of urban road tunnel operation risks, the impact of surrounding environmental disturbances on structural safety and the social impact of operating traffic accidents should be considered.