Everyone has been on a nice road trip only to be jolted or bounced out of their seats by a pothole or rough terrain. Rough roads can easily spoil the fun when you’re driving to work, on a road trip or running errands. Every driver has likely said that his or her home state has the poorest roads in the nation, but the data shows some states may have worse roads than others.
The bumpy roads do more damage than it is comfortable getting on and off. A damaged pavement leads to high cost of vehicle repairs, tire wear, suspension damage, poor fuel efficiency, and high maintenance costs throughout the year. Additional vehicle operating costs, caused by poor roads, are estimated to cost the average American driver about $400 per year. Those expenses mount up fast and quality of the pavement becomes an issue for almost all households that own a car.
Combining the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, researchers have determined the quality of each state’s roads by their rough surface and road infrastructure condition. The rankings show who has the worst roads, and they also indicate how the geography, climate, traffic volume and government spending on infrastructure affects the quality of roads. Starting from the 10th state and moving up to the worst roads in the U.S., here are details on where drivers stand the best chance of getting a bumpy ride.
1. Colorado
Colorado starts the race with the lowest road roughness index at 121.7 which makes the Centennial state one of the worst places to drive in the country. Just under 19 percent of its lane-miles are rated in poor condition, causing perceptible problems for commuters, travelers and those who want to take a scenic drive on the state’s mountain roads. Keeping roads in good condition is a constant challenge due to strenuous terrain and fluctuating climatic conditions throughout the state.
Road Maintenance Challenges:
- High mountain driving conditions
- Frequent freeze-thaw pavement damage
- Heavy seasonal tourism traffic
- Costly year-round road repairs
- Extensive statewide highway network
A wide network of highways across the state. A good system of state by state roads. The state’s transportation system traverses high elevations, steep mountain passes and areas with large seasonal variations in weather. In colder climates, snow, ice and freeze-thaw cycles can cause pavement deterioration to occur much more quickly, leading to cracks and potholes.
The capital outlay for Colorado is about $28,957 per lane mile and is ranked 30th in the nation. Despite good investments, the standard of the roads remains below par. The infrastructure under the mountain is under constant stress from the mountainous landscape, the extent of the tourist traffic and the harsh winters, which makes maintenance a challenging and costly process.
2. Massachusetts
Massachusetts has a road roughness index of 124.2 and 27% of its roads are deemed poor condition. This translates to over an average of 1 lane-mile in every 4 being below desirable roadway standards. Road quality continues to be impacted by aging infrastructure and high traffic volumes across the state.
Factors Affecting Road Quality:
- Aging transportation infrastructure
- High traffic volumes in the metro area
- The brutal winters of the New England States
- Frequent pavement deterioration
- Reduce spending on infrastructure projects
Older roads are a common occurrence on both a regular and frequent basis for drivers throughout the Bay State, largely around busy urban centers. These factors, coupled with the harsh winter weather in New England, make for continuous pavement deterioration and wear.
The state of Massachusetts spends about $14,916 per lane mile, which is ranked 49th in the nation. The relative lack of investment is correlated with the state’s low pavement ratings; indicating that higher investment in infrastructure could lead to better overall pavement conditions.
3. Washington
Washington ranks 8th in road roughness rating (125), and 25% of lane-miles are in poor condition. While the Evergreen State is renowned for its idyllic settings, there are many drivers who don’t encounter roads that resemble the scenery. Geography and weather remain burdened with maintenance issues.
Environmental Road Challenges:
- Coastal moisture impacts pavement
- Damage is enhanced by mountain weather
- Wear is more likely to occur with frequent rainfall
- Freeze-thaw cycle deterioration
- Continuous repair requirements
Highways are constantly stressed by Washington’s geography. Pavements weaken over time due to coastal moisture, mountainous terrain and consistent rainfall; and due to freeze-thaw cycles in higher elevations, cracking and damage to the pavement surface occurs at a faster rate.
The State allocates about $31,730 to each lane mile, ranking it 25th in the nation for infrastructure investment. Even with this relatively healthy investment, keeping the roads smooth continues to be a challenge due to the continued degradation of the pavement by the environment at a rate that exceeds repair capability.
4. Louisiana
Louisiana is ranked 7th in terms of road roughness index (129.6) and has 28% lane-miles rated as poor. Poor road surfaces are a common problem on state highways, particularly in highly trafficked and urban settings. Road maintenance is also challenging due to the geological conditions.
Road Condition Challenges:
- The movement of soft clay-rich soil
- Aging urban infrastructure
- Significant daily usage loads
- Humid climate deterioration
- Below-average infrastructure spending
The problem that stands in the way of one of Louisiana’s greatest challenges is underfoot. The majority of the state is underlain by soft clay soils that tend to change over time, leading to uneven road surfaces and roads settling and cracking over time that require constant maintenance.
Louisiana’s total cost of $23,674 per lane mile is lower than the national average. This reduced investment is compounded by the changing soil, and a humid environment that speeds the deterioration of the pavements, making it a constant problem for transportation officials to maintain road quality.
5. Hawaii
Hawaii may boast beautiful scenery, but when it comes to road quality, this state is home to some of the roughest roads in the country. Aloha State’s road roughness index equals 130, while 26% of roads are classified as poor. Even though Hawaii makes a significant investment in infrastructure maintenance, keeping the roads on numerous islands in good condition is a challenging task.
Unique maintenance challenges include:
- Remote island construction logistics
- Tropical weather conditions
- Volcanic terrain impacts roads
- Salt air accelerates wear
- High material transportation costs
Many tourists enjoy the spectacular views over Hawaii’s coastlines and volcanic peaks. Still, constructing and maintaining roads on the Hawaiian islands involves long transportation routes of construction materials from the mainland. This process significantly complicates building and repairing infrastructure and increases costs.
Hawaii spent $34,243 per lane mile, placing it 21st worldwide. Alaskan highways, subject to extreme weather conditions, had to undergo frequent repairs. Volcanic rock, salt air, and construction costs also add up to the challenge of maintaining the road quality on the islands. Thus, despite a relatively high spending amount, Hawaii has one of the worst road quality indices.
6. New York
New York state ranks fifth with a road roughness index of 135 and 30% of roads in poor condition. New York has one of the busiest traffic systems in the world, making road maintenance a difficult task. Extreme weather conditions and heavy traffic jams significantly impact the quality of road surfaces.
Major Contributing Factors:
- Heavy metropolitan traffic volumes
- Repeated freeze-thaw cycles
- Snowplow pavement damage
- Extensive urban congestion
- Frequent roadway repairs
Challenging winter weather combined with heavy traffic is a major threat to road quality. The state grapples with severe winter weather, including road salt, snow, and ice. At the same time, heavy traffic jams put an additional strain on the road surfaces.
New York spent $32,674 per lane mile, ranking it 26th in the country in terms of spending. The state’s road infrastructure undergoes frequent and expensive maintenance procedures. They are necessary because of the high load caused by traffic density. Despite the heavy investment in the road system, 35% of roads are classified as good, which is a comparatively high amount among the top ten states.
7. Wisconsin
Wisconsin ranked fourth with a road roughness index of 136. This state offers an inconsistent road quality with 29% of roads in poor condition and another 29% of roads in good condition. The variety of road quality from bad to excellent conditions makes the driving experience rather challenging.
Road Quality Characteristics:
- Mixed pavement conditions statewide
- Harsh winter weather effects
- Significant freeze-thaw damage
- Moderate infrastructure investment
- Unpredictable driving experience
Drivers may have to drive on relatively good pavement and then shift to rough roads typical of bad weather. Fluctuating temperatures contribute to road surface damage and poor road quality. Wisconsin has moderate infrastructure spending, only $23,657 per lane mile, putting the state in the 38th position. Indeed, the amount of money spent on road maintenance correlates with the quality of road surfaces.
8. Nebraska
Nebraska State ranks third with a roughness index of 137.7 and 32% of roads in poor condition. Despite the low population density, the state has a significant amount of infrastructure to maintain. Long-distance highways bear a heavy load, and heavy truck traffic deteriorates road surfaces.
Road Infrastructure Pressures:
- Long highway travel distances
- Heavy agricultural vehicle traffic
- Cross-country freight transportation
- High infrastructure investment
- Persistent pavement deterioration
Nebraska has well-developed infrastructure to accommodate long-distance travelers, including many cross-country highways. Heavy traffic and agricultural vehicles worsen the road quality in Nebraska. Infrastructure spending in the state amounts to $37,166 per lane mile, with Nebraska ranking 17th in the country. Therefore, even though the amount of money invested in the maintenance is high, the road quality does not match the expenditures.
9. Rhode Island
Rhode Island ranks second with a road roughness index of 139.3 and 36% of roads in poor condition. Rhode Island is the smallest state in terms of population, but it has some of the roughest roads in the country. Commuter traffic affects local roads, causing damage to road surfaces.
Infrastructure Challenges:
- Aging commuter road network
- Heavy daily traffic volumes
- Frequent construction projects
- Persistent pavement deterioration
- High maintenance demands
Many road surfaces in Rhode Island are old and require regular maintenance. The high amount of traffic results in increased pressure and stress on road surfaces. Additionally, frequent construction sites add to the problem of poor road quality in the state.
Rhode Island spends $35,087 per lane mile, which is moderate in comparison to other states. However, the number of road problems is high taking into consideration the amount of infrastructure spending. Even though the state is small and has few roads, they require frequent maintenance.
10. California
California state ranks first with a road roughness index of 153.4, with 42% of roads in poor condition. The highest percentage of roads in poor condition among all states makes road maintenance a challenging task in California. The high amount of traffic jam aggravates the road quality issue in the state.
Reasons Behind The Ranking:
- Massive statewide highway network
- Heavy commercial transportation traffic
- Constant urban congestion
- Lower per-mile spending
- Extensive maintenance requirements
Millions of cars are using California highways daily, causing extreme traffic jams that damage the road surface. Heavy commercial traffic adds to the problem of deteriorating road quality in California. The high load on the infrastructure results in frequent and expensive road maintenance that ultimately raises the cost of vehicle ownership for many locals.
California has an extensive highway network, making infrastructure maintenance extremely costly. Even though California spent the second-largest amount on road maintenance nationwide, the sum per lane mile equals $19,980, putting the state in the 42nd position. The increased number of traffic jams, extensive infrastructure, and moderate investment in road maintenance explain the poor road quality in California.
