States with the worst (and best) road conditions

States with the worst road conditions

A vast array of factors can accelerate worsening road conditions, from climate, weather and soil conditions to road construction materials to traffic volume. Sunlight even plays a role as ultraviolet rays deteriorate the binding agent that holds asphalt together, leading to cracks in the pavement.

Check out below which states have the worst roads in the U.S.

1. New Mexico

New Mexico ranks worst overall for road conditions in the U.S., finishing among the five worst states in each of the categories we examined. As the fifth-largest state by area, much of it rural, New Mexico has a vast network of deteriorating roads. The state also has the third-highest traffic fatality rate, further adding to its dangerous driving conditions.

Poor road conditions translate to significant costs for consumers, and the Land of Enchantment is no exception. A report released in early 2025 by national transportation research nonprofit TRIP found that driving on rough roads costs the average New Mexico motorist $1,075 annually in additional vehicle operating costs, including increased fuel consumption, tire wear and accelerated vehicle depreciation.

Consider these key metrics:

• Percentage of urban roads in poor condition: 41.7%
• Percentage of rural roads in poor condition: 30.7%
• Traffic fatalities per 100M miles traveled: 1.74

2. Mississippi

Mississippi has the second-worst road conditions in the nation. It has about 18,000 miles of rural roads — the highest among the five worst-ranked states — and about 28% are in poor condition, the fourth highest percentage in the country. Mississippi also has the second-highest traffic fatality rate, further underscoring its road safety issues.

As for the bumps and potholes in many of the Magnolia State’s roads, those seeking a root cause may do well to look underground. Clay soils, like the Yazoo clay predominant in much of Central Mississippi, can be highly plastic, meaning they swell significantly in moist conditions and shrink in dry ones. These subterranean changes in soil volume lead to major humps, dips and surface cracks in Mississippi roads.

Other noteworthy figures include:

• Percentage of urban roads in poor condition: 40.9%
• Percentage of rural roads in poor condition: 27.6%
• Traffic fatalities per 100M miles traveled: 1.76

3. Hawaii

Despite its reputation for breathtaking island scenery, Hawaii ranks third worst in the nation for road conditions. About 44% of its urban roads — or 440 miles — are in poor condition, the highest share among the five worst-ranked states and the third highest in the U.S. The state’s rural roads don’t fare much better, with 28.5% (about 157 miles) in poor shape.

While Hawaii spends heavily on road infrastructure, those investments haven’t necessarily translated into better road quality, according to our 2024 infrastructure spending analysis. The state’s unique climate and geography — heavy rainfall, salt air and volcanic activity — accelerate road deterioration, leading to potholes, cracks and rapid asphalt wear.

Check out the following metrics:

• Percentage of urban roads in poor condition: 44.3%
• Percentage of rural roads in poor condition: 28.5%
• Traffic fatalities per 100M miles traveled: 1.13

4. Louisiana

When it comes to road conditions, the Pelican State faces an uphill battle against Mother Nature — and its own budget. Rising sea levels, a sinking landscape and flooding from tropical storms and hurricanes all contribute to the wear and tear on Louisiana’s infrastructure. The state’s Senate Finance Committee estimates that the state has a nearly $19 billion backlog in road and bridge improvements, with more than 13,600 miles of road needing work.

However, road conditions may not be the only factor in Louisiana’s rate of traffic fatalities (the ninth worst in the country). With high rates of accidents due to aggressive and careless driving behaviors, Louisiana tops our list of worst states for road rage and ranks sixth on the list of worst drivers in America.

Key findings from our source data:

• Percentage of urban roads in poor condition: 38.2%
• Percentage of rural roads in poor condition: 21.2%
• Traffic fatalities per 100M miles traveled: 1.60

5. Rhode Island

As the smallest state in the nation, Rhode Island may not have the vast road networks of larger states, but its roads are still among the worst in the country. About 32% of its rural roads are in poor condition, the highest rate in the nation, despite there being just 347 miles of rural roadway.

An assessment by the American Society of Civil Engineers found that Rhode Island's poor road conditions cost motorists an average of $845 per year in vehicle repairs and operating expenses. However, there’s hope on the horizon. RhodeWorks, a state-funded infrastructure program launched in 2016, aims to rehabilitate roads and bridges through toll-funded projects and federal assistance.

One silver lining: Rhode Island has the lowest traffic fatality rate in the country, suggesting that while its roads may be rough, they are relatively safer than those in other states.

Notable stats include:

• Percentage of urban roads in poor condition: 39.3%
• Percentage of rural roads in poor condition: 32.2%
• Traffic fatalities per 100M miles traveled: 0.69

Which states have the best road conditions?

The states with the best roads are highly rural, proving that extensive remote road networks can be effectively maintained despite environmental challenges. Several of these states experience harsh winters, requiring proactive maintenance to keep roads safe and drivable year-round.

The following states have the best roads in America:

1. Indiana

The Hoosier State earned the top rank for overall road conditions with a combination of a low rate of traffic fatalities and impressive road quality. Its rural and urban road roughness rank third and second best, respectively. The state also has the seventh-lowest fatality rate in the U.S.

Indiana's great road quality is reflected in its commitment to infrastructure maintenance. In November 2024, the state awarded $139 million in Community Crossings Matching Grants to 223 communities for road and bridge improvements. The Indiana Department of Transportation’s 2024 to 2028 plan also prioritizes upgrades to both urban and rural road networks.

Indiana boasts the following stats:

• Percentage of urban roads in poor condition: 5.3%
• Percentage of rural roads in poor condition: 2.5%
• Traffic fatalities per 100M miles traveled: 0.99

2. Alabama

Alabama ranks second in overall road conditions, with 96.5% of its urban roads and 98.7% of its rural roads in acceptable condition. This strong road quality aligns with ongoing infrastructure investments, including the Rebuild Alabama Act, which has generated $320 million annually for road and bridge improvements since 2019.

In 2024, Gov. Kay Ivey announced over $40 million in additional state funding through the ATRIP-II program, supporting infrastructure projects across Alabama. These continued investments contribute to the state's ability to maintain its extensive road network.

Check out these metrics:

• Percentage of urban roads in poor condition: 3.5%
• Percentage of rural roads in poor condition: 1.3%
• Traffic fatalities per 100M miles traveled: 1.38

3. Idaho

Idaho’s roads rank third best in the country. Of its 4,094 miles of rural roads, 96% are in acceptable condition, the seventh-best percentage of all states. The Gem State also ranks near the top in safety, with 1.12 fatalities per 100 million miles driven.

Idaho is one of just two Western states to rank in the top 20 states for best road conditions.

Notable data points include:

• Percentage of urban roads in poor condition: 10.1%
• Percentage of rural roads in poor condition: 4.0%
• Traffic fatalities per 100M miles traveled: 1.12

4. Minnesota

Minnesota has the largest rural road network among the top-ranked states, spanning 25,589 miles, with 93.4% in good or acceptable condition. Its urban roads, totaling 7,556 miles, also maintain high standards, with 86.3% rated as good or acceptable.

The state's commitment to road safety is evident in its low traffic fatality rate of 0.77 per 100 million miles driven, the third lowest in the nation. This achievement aligns with Minnesota's Toward Zero Deaths initiative, which focuses on reducing traffic-related fatalities through strategic partnerships and data-driven approaches.

Check out these metrics:

• Percentage of urban roads in poor condition: 13.7%
• Percentage of rural roads in poor condition: 6.6%
• Traffic fatalities per 100M miles traveled: 0.77

5. Kansas

Rounding out the leaderboard for best road conditions is Kansas, with 89.6% of its urban roads and 96.1% of its rural roads in acceptable condition. With 12,465 miles of rural roads, the state maintains a large rural road network while keeping road quality high.

Recent infrastructure initiatives may help sustain these conditions. The Build Kansas Fund provides up to $200 million to support local road and transportation projects. Additionally, the Kansas Cost Share Program has invested over $152 million in 186 projects since 2019, focusing on road improvements through state and local collaboration.

Key insights for Kansas:

• Percentage of urban roads in poor condition: 10.4%
• Percentage of rural roads in poor condition: 3.9%
• Traffic fatalities per 100M miles traveled: 1.31

States with the worst (and best) roads in the U.S.

Since the passage of the 2021 federal infrastructure law, more than 196,000 miles of roadway — enough to cross the U.S. 65 times — are being repaired or improved across the nation. While these efforts to improve road conditions are underway, some areas need more attention than others. To see the bigger picture of America’s road conditions and how your state compares, take a look at the table below.

Methodology

To determine the states with the worst roads in America, we analyzed three key factors that reflect road quality and safety. For each metric, we gave the highest number of points to the worst state and scored other states on their relative performance. We added together the three point totals to get a total score out of 100 for each state.

• Road surface roughness (80% total weight, 40% urban, 40% rural): We looked at the percentages of rural roads and urban roads classified as “poor” according to the International Roughness Index. Data is from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (2022).
• Car accident fatalities per 100 million miles traveled (20%): We used 2022 data from the Federal Highway Administration.

For questions about the data or if you'd like to set up an interview, please contact acurls@consumeraffairs.com.

Reference policy

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Article sources

ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts, and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:

1. Federal Highway Administration, “Fatality Rate Per 100 Million Annual VMT - 2022.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
2. Bureau of Transportation Statistics, “Road Condition.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
3. ASCE’s 2021 Infrastructure Report Card, “Overview.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
4. TRIP, “NEW TRIP REPORT EMPHASIZES NEED FOR INCREASED INVESTMENTS IN NEW MEXICO ROADS & IDENTIFIES MORE THAN $5.6 BILLION IN NEEDED TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS STATEWIDE.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
5. Clarion Ledger, “Why are there so many potholes, dips and humps in MS roads? | Curious Mississippi answers.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
6. Louisiana State Senate, “FY25 Executive Budget Schedule 07 – Department of Transportation and Development.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
7. ASCE’s 2021 Infrastructure Report Card, “Key Facts About Rhode Island’s Infrastructure.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
8. Rhode Island Department of Transportation, “RhodeWorks.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
9. State of Indiana House of Representatives, “Rep. Baird: State funding hits the road for local infrastructure improvements.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
10. Indiana Department of Transportation, “STIP FY 2024 to FY 2028.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
11. Alabama Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers, “Alabama Section Releases 2022 Infrastructure Report Card.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
12. Alabama Political Reporter, “Governor Ivey announces first round of road and bridge projects for 2024.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
13. MN TZD, “About Minnesota TZD.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
14. Kansas Infrastructure Hub, “Build Kansas Fund Overview.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
15. KDOT, “Cost Share Program.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here
16. U.S. Department of Transportation, “The Big Deal: On Third Anniversary of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Signing, Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $3.4 Billion in Grants to Expand Passenger Rail, Make Roads Safer, Improve Ports, and Strengthen Supply Chains.” Accessed Feb. 19, 2025. Link Here