Navigating the Potholes: States With the Worst Road Infrastructure
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Buckle up as we hit the road and explore the states with the worst road and bridge infrastructure. Using the most recently available data from the Department of Transportation, we've put together a definitive list of states that are, shall we say, hitting roadblocks in their infrastructure efforts.
From Rhode Island's archaic aesthetic to California's sprawling land and seismic activity, the factors affecting each of these ten states' struggling infrastructure are varied and diverse. You might say these states are "stuck in the slow lane" regarding remediation.
But first, before we dive into state-by-state specifics, let's explore the national outlook on infrastructure.
National Outlook on US Infrastructure
According to national statistics, 81% of US road miles are acceptable. The 19% of roads in unacceptable condition equates to just under 156,000 of almost a million miles of road.
With a whopping 618,253 bridges spanning the country, you might be surprised to learn that only 5% of them are in poor condition, but that's still 30,912 potholed, structurally questionable, and bumpy bridges throughout the country.
The 10 States With the Worst Infrastructure
Here are the states with the worst roads and bridges ranked.
| Rank | State | Poor Bridge Condition % | Unacceptable Road Condition % |
|---|---|---|---|
| -- | United States | 5.0% | 19% |
| 1 | Rhode Island | 17.1% | 48% |
| 2 | West Virginia | 15.0% | 31% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 10.8% | 28% |
| 4 | New Jersey | 6.9% | 45% |
| 5 | New York | 10.7% | 26% |
| 6 | Washington | 7.7% | 28% |
| 7 | Connecticut | 7.2% | 33% |
| 8 | Missouri | 8.2% | 24% |
| 9 | California | 6.3% | 33% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 6.9% | 28% |
| 11 | Illinois | 12.0% | 20% |
| 12 | Maine | 10.3% | 21% |
| 13 | Louisiana | 7.6% | 23% |
| 14 | Michigan | 7.9% | 21% |
| 15 | New Mexico | 4.2% | 34% |
| 16 | South Dakota | 9.2% | 14% |
| 17 | Alaska | 6.9% | 19% |
| 18 | Wisconsin | 4.5% | 25% |
| 19 | Hawaii | 2.7% | 40% |
| 20 | Mississippi | 3.8% | 26% |
| 21 | New Hampshire | 6.5% | 18% |
| 22 | Iowa | 10.0% | 9% |
| 23 | Maryland | 3.1% | 28% |
| 24 | Montana | 6.5% | 13% |
| 25 | Colorado | 3.6% | 22% |
| 26 | Vermont | 3.9% | 19% |
| 27 | North Carolina | 5.5% | 10% |
| 28 | Indiana | 3.4% | 18% |
| 29 | Wyoming | 7.4% | 6% |
| 30 | Arizona | 1.1% | 23% |
| 31 | Texas | 1.3% | 22% |
| 32 | Minnesota | 5.0% | 9% |
| 33 | Ohio | 3.1% | 16% |
| 34 | Arkansas | 5.1% | 8% |
| 35 | Virginia | 3.3% | 13% |
| 36 | North Dakota | 5.6% | 6% |
| 37 | Idaho | 3.9% | 10% |
| 38 | South Carolina | 4.7% | 8% |
| 39 | Kentucky | 4.8% | 7% |
| 40 | Delaware | 2.7% | 16% |
| 41 | Utah | 0.8% | 20% |
| 42 | Kansas | 3.2% | 11% |
| 43 | Nebraska | 4.7% | 7% |
| 44 | Tennessee | 5.2% | 5% |
| 45 | Oregon | 3.1% | 11% |
| 46 | Oklahoma | 4.2% | 6% |
| 47 | Nevada | 1.0% | 14% |
| 48 | Florida | 1.6% | 12% |
| 49 | Alabama | 1.4% | 9% |
| 50 | Georgia | 1.0% | 7% |
#1 – Rhode Island
Despite its small size, Rhode Island leads the nation with a staggering 17.1% of its bridges in poor condition. With just over half of its roads deemed acceptable, this state faces an uphill battle in infrastructure management.
The high percentages indicate aged infrastructure, weather conditions' effects on maintenance, or state budget constraints.
#2 – West Virginia
Mountainous terrains and challenging weather patterns might play a part in the 15.0% of bridges in bad shape in West Virginia. The state's roads fare slightly better, with 69% being acceptable.
#3 – Massachusetts
10.8% of this state's bridges are in poor condition, and only 72% of its roads are up to par. Massachusetts, particularly in areas like Boston, has some of the oldest infrastructure in the country.
Cold winters with freeze-thaw cycles can also exacerbate road and bridge deterioration.
#4 – New Jersey
The Garden State currently sees 6.9% of its bridges needing repair. With a road network where only 55% is deemed acceptable, infrastructure is a pressing concern for this densely populated state.
Because New Jersey is essentially squeezed between New York and Philadelphia, it sees significantly high traffic volume. This, coupled with harsh northeastern winters, can lead to quicker degradation.
The state's dense population might also stress infrastructure.
#5 – New York
The Empire State is familiar with stressed infrastructure, with 10.7% of bridges in poor shape and 74% of its roads meeting the acceptable mark.
NYC experiences heavy traffic, which can strain roads and bridges. Furthermore, salt and snow from harsh winters can degrade roads.
#6 – Washington
With 7.7% of its bridges needing attention and 72% of its roads deemed acceptable, Washington ranks the 6th worst on our list.
The state, especially its western part, experiences heavy rainfall, which erodes road quality. The state's mountainous regions might also be challenging for infrastructure maintenance.
#7 – Connecticut
7.2% of Connecticut's bridges need to be in better shape. Meanwhile, 67% of its roads stand at an acceptable level.
Like many New England states, Connecticut's infrastructure is older and exposed to northeastern weather patterns. The state's budgetary challenges in recent years could also impact maintenance.
#8 – Missouri
The Show-Me State, positioned in the heartland, needs infrastructure upgrades, with 8.2% of its bridges in poor condition and 76% of its roads deemed acceptable.
The state has one of the largest highway systems in the US, a challenge to maintain. Seasonal weather extremes could also play a role in degrading its roads and bridges.
#9 – California
6.3% of California's bridges are in a deteriorated state. The state's vast road network sees 67% in acceptable shape.
California's vast size, seismic activity, diverse climates, and high traffic volumes in urban areas can strain infrastructure. Wildfires and related damages might also play a part.
#10 – Pennsylvania
6.9% of Pennsylvania's bridges are in poor condition, while 72% of its roads are up to the mark.
Pennsylvania's older infrastructure, combined with harsh winters and a history of industrial activity, could be factors in its infrastructure challenges.
Conclusion
As we've explored the states with the worst road and bridge infrastructure, it's clear they face diverse challenges. Aging infrastructure, harsh weather, and high traffic volumes are common issues. To promote economic growth and safety, these states must prioritize infrastructure improvement. Whether it's commercial real estate development, construction, or daily commutes, better infrastructure is the key to success.
Methodology
To calculate which states have the worst infrastructure, the data team at MyEListing collected national and state data from the Bureau of Transporation Statistics' Road Condition and Bridge Condition data reports.
Next, they ranked each state by two different factors: 1) The percentage of the state's total road miles in “unacceptable” condition, and 2) the percentage of the state's total bridge area in “poor” condition.
Lastly, they took each state's average ranking of these two ranking factors to create the final report.
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