U.S. States With the Worst Roads

Photo Credit: Ronstik / Shutterstock

Roadways are a vital component of infrastructure in the United States. The vast majority of goods are transported by truck, highlighting the economy’s need for reliable roadways to connect supply chains and move goods and services efficiently across borders. Most commuters use roads daily to get to work, and individuals also rely on roadways for crucial access to resources including employment, social, health, and education services.

However, many highways, major roads, and bridges remain in need of urgent repair. Hazardous road conditions continue to negatively impact the economy, contribute to traffic congestion, and threaten driver safety. While the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) dedicated a historic $110 billion to roads and bridges—spurring over 62,000 transportation projects nationwide by 2026—the work is far from over. Recent congressional reports underscore the necessity of extending these funding measures, as their scheduled expiration in October 2026 threatens essential investments in road safety enhancements, economic growth initiatives, and projects designed to lower shipping costs, highlighting that reversing decades of deferred maintenance requires a sustained, long-term commitment.

Researchers at Construction Coverage—a publication covering construction trends, infrastructure, and industry research—analyzed data from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to evaluate the condition of roadways across the country.

Here are the key takeaways from the analysis:

  • Highway and street construction spending has surged. In large part due to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, road construction spending rose to roughly $150 billion annually, an increase of approximately 25%.
  • A staggering 13.1% of major U.S. roadways are in poor condition. Even with increased investment, more than one in every eight miles of major roadways are in disrepair.
  • Rhode Island leads the nation, with 36.2% of its major roadways rated in poor condition. Despite making incremental improvements in recent years, the state’s share of poor roads remains nearly seven percentage points higher than any other state.
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U.S. States With the Worst Roads
U.S. States With the Worst Roads
The U.S. has dramatically increased infrastructure spending since the bipartisan infrastructure law passed in 2021—but many Americans are still driving on deteriorating roads. A new analysis from Construction Coverage finds that highway and street construction spending surged roughly 25% in recent years, reaching nearly $150 billion annually—yet more than 1 in 8 major U.S. roads are still classified as being in poor condition nationwide. The report ranks every state based on the share of major roads in poor condition using the latest federal roadway data and reveals a stark regional divide in infrastructure quality. 1 min