A new study found the States With the Best and Worst Roads in America in 2024.
The study conducted by Johnfoy.com found that Minnesota leads the nation in road quality with a score of 80, boasting a low fatality rate of 0.77 per 100 million miles driven. It maintains rural roads well (2.82% rough) and urban roads even better (3.42% rough), with efficient spending ($38.61 per mile and $966.74 per capita).
Conversely, New Mexico ranks 50th with a score of 50, marked by a high fatality rate (1.74 per 100 million miles) and substantial rough road percentages (15.11% rural, 22.78% urban). Low spending per mile ($24.39) underscores critical infrastructure challenges.
This report by Johnfoy.com ranks US states based on road quality using data like fatalities per 100 million miles driven, rural and urban road conditions, and spending metrics. Each criterion was weighted to calculate a final score from 50 to 80, emphasizing safety and infrastructure investment. However, the study’s scope excludes factors such as traffic congestion and weather conditions, offering a focused but limited view of road quality nationwide.
Key Findings
- Fatalities and Safety: States like New Mexico (1.74), Louisiana (1.60), and Mississippi (1.76) show higher fatalities per 100 million miles driven, indicating significant road safety challenges.
- Rural vs. Urban Road Conditions: Minnesota and Delaware maintain rural roads well (Minnesota: 2.82% rough, Delaware: 1.38% rough) but struggle with urban areas (Minnesota: 3.42% rough, Delaware: 11.38% rough), impacting overall road quality.
- Spending: Wyoming spends $42.44 per mile and has a high per capita expenditure ($2,200.48), contributing to better road conditions despite urban challenges (12.46% rough).
- Regional Challenges: Colorado and Rhode Island face challenges due to terrain and urban density. Colorado spends $55.75 per mile but deals with high percentages of rough roads in rural (11.22%) and urban areas (18.92%).
- Impact of Investment: Indiana and Maryland balance road quality with responsible spending ($52.38 per mile and $745.30 per capita for Indiana). Efficient resource management is evident in maintaining rural (Indiana: 2.40% rough) and urban roads (Indiana: 5.30% rough).
- Investment Disparities: States with lower rankings like Mississippi ($21.72 per mile, $574.25 per capita) have higher percentages of rough roads (rural: 9.17%, urban: 16.32%), highlighting infrastructure challenges.
10 States With the Best Roads in America
| Rank | State | Final Score | Fatalities Per 100 Million Miles Driven (Vmt) | Rural Rough (Poor and Very Poor) Road Percentage | Urban Rough (Poor and Very Poor) Road Percentage | Disbursement Per Mile (Thousands Usd) | Highway Disbursement Per Capita (Usd) |
| 1 | Minnesota | 80 | 0.77 | 2.82% | 3.42% | 38.61 | 966.74 |
| 2 | Delaware | 76.6 | 1.64 | 1.38% | 11.38% | 270.12 | 1741.17 |
| 3 | Utah | 76.2 | 0.93 | 2.82% | 6.17% | 54.03 | 783.42 |
| 4 | Indiana | 75.5 | 0.99 | 2.40% | 5.30% | 52.38 | 745.3 |
| 5 | New Jersey | 75 | 0.91 | 4.57% | 21.98% | 188.63 | 790.02 |
| 6 | Wyoming | 73.7 | 1.44 | 1.35% | 12.46% | 42.44 | 2200.48 |
| 7 | Maryland | 73.7 | 0.99 | 1.85% | 20.98% | 140.31 | 741.94 |
| 8 | North Dakota | 73.4 | 1.07 | 1.52% | 14.61% | 12.16 | 1378.88 |
| 9 | Vermont | 72.6 | 1.07 | 7.67% | 11.76% | 62.39 | 1365.28 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 72.5 | 1.1 | 6.28% | 5.53% | 70.52 | 818.39 |
1. Minnesota:
Minnesota leads the nation in road quality with a score of 80, boasting a low fatality rate of 0.77 per 100 million miles driven. It maintains rural roads well (2.82% rough) and urban roads even better (3.42% rough), with efficient spending ($38.61 per mile and $966.74 per capita).
2. Delaware:
Delaware secures second place with a score of 76.6, emphasizing smooth rural roads (1.38% rough) but needing improvement in urban areas (11.38% rough). It invests heavily in roads ($270.12 per mile and $1,741.17 per capita), prioritizing high-quality infrastructure.
3. Utah:
Utah ranks third at 76.2, excelling in rural road maintenance (2.82% rough) while facing challenges in urban areas (6.17% rough). It achieves balance with moderate spending ($54.03 per mile and $783.42 per capita), emphasizing safety and efficient resource use.
4. Indiana:
Indiana scores 75.5, highlighting a strong safety record (0.99 fatalities per 100 million miles) and well-maintained rural (2.40% rough) and urban (5.30% rough) roads. It balances quality with responsible spending ($52.38 per mile and $745.30 per capita).
5. New Jersey:
New Jersey ranks fifth with a score of 75, emphasizing road safety (0.91 fatalities per 100 million miles) despite urban road challenges (21.98% rough). It invests significantly ($188.63 per mile and $790.02 per capita) to support its bustling economy.
6. Wyoming:
Wyoming secures sixth place at 73.7, excelling in rural road maintenance (1.35% rough) but facing higher challenges in urban areas (12.46% rough). It balances spending efficiently ($42.44 per mile) with high per capita investment ($2,200.48).
7. Maryland:
Maryland ranks seventh with a score of 73.7, focusing on road safety (0.99 fatalities per 100 million miles) and maintaining rural roads well (1.85% rough). Urban areas pose challenges (20.98% rough) despite substantial spending ($140.31 per mile and $741.94 per capita).
8. North Dakota:
North Dakota scores 73.4, prioritizing well-maintained rural (1.52% rough) and urban (14.61% rough) roads despite harsh conditions. It efficiently manages resources ($12.16 per mile) with high per capita spending ($1,378.88).
9. Vermont:
Vermont secures ninth place at 72.6, focusing on road quality amidst challenging terrain. It maintains roads with moderate roughness (7.67% rural, 11.76% urban) and invests responsibly ($62.39 per mile and $1,365.28 per capita).
10. New Hampshire:
New Hampshire rounds out the top 10 with a score of 72.5, emphasizing reliability across diverse landscapes. It maintains roads well (6.28% rural, 5.53% urban rough) with balanced spending ($70.52 per mile and $818.39 per capita), ensuring efficient infrastructure support.
10 States With the Worst Roads in America
| Rank | State | Final Score | Fatalities Per 100 Million Miles Driven (Vmt) | Rural Rough (Poor and Very Poor) Road Percentage | Urban Rough (Poor and Very Poor) Road Percentage | Disbursement Per Mile (Thousands Usd) | Highway Disbursement Per Capita (Usd) |
| 50 | New Mexico | 50 | 1.74 | 15.11% | 22.78% | 24.39 | 834.23 |
| 49 | Louisiana | 51.4 | 1.6 | 11.36% | 28.17% | 36.27 | 521.22 |
| 48 | Mississippi | 53.8 | 1.76 | 9.17% | 16.32% | 21.72 | 574.25 |
| 47 | California | 55.9 | 1.4 | 8.37% | 40.02% | 127.08 | 592.92 |
| 46 | Arizona | 57.2 | 1.71 | 7.07% | 12.84% | 45.2 | 457.53 |
| 45 | South Carolina | 59.8 | 1.85 | 3.17% | 8.09% | 45.02 | 658.29 |
| 44 | Colorado | 59.8 | 1.42 | 11.22% | 18.92% | 55.75 | 854.87 |
| 43 | Rhode Island | 60.5 | 0.69 | 22.56% | 36.80% | 119.57 | 716.4 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | 60.9 | 1.59 | 6.64% | 15.44% | 34.89 | 1001.91 |
| 41 | Arkansas | 61.1 | 1.67 | 5.01% | 13.87% | 31.31 | 1030.86 |
1. New Mexico:
New Mexico ranks last with a score of 50, marked by a high fatality rate (1.74 per 100 million miles) and substantial rough road percentages (15.11% rural, 22.78% urban). Low spending per mile ($24.39) underscores critical infrastructure challenges.
2. Louisiana:
Louisiana scores 51.4, highlighted by a fatality rate of 1.60 and significant rural (11.36%) and urban (28.17%) rough roads. Limited spending per mile ($36.27) reflects ongoing maintenance issues.
3. Mississippi:
Mississippi ranks 48th with a score of 53.8, citing a fatality rate of 1.76 and notable rural (9.17%) and urban (16.32%) rough road percentages. Low spending per mile ($21.72) suggests infrastructure underinvestment.
4. California:
California scores 55.9, facing challenges despite high spending per mile ($127.08). It grapples with urban road conditions (40.02% rough) and rural road maintenance post-wildfires (8.37%).
5. Arizona:
Arizona ranks 46th with a score of 57.2, noting a fatality rate of 1.71 and moderate rough road percentages (7.07% rural, 12.84% urban). Relatively low per capita spending ($457.53) indicates room for improvement.
6. South Carolina:
South Carolina scores 59.8, highlighted by a higher fatality rate (1.85) and modest rough road conditions (3.17% rural, 8.09% urban). Adequate spending per mile ($45.02) supports ongoing maintenance needs.
7. Colorado:
Colorado ranks 44th with a score of 59.8, balancing rural (11.22%) and urban (18.92%) rough roads amidst higher spending per mile ($55.75). Its mountainous terrain poses unique infrastructure challenges.
8. Rhode Island:
Rhode Island scores 60.5, noted for significant rural (22.56%) and urban (36.80%) rough roads despite a lower fatality rate (0.69). Strategic spending per mile ($119.57) aims to address critical road infrastructure needs.
9. Oklahoma:
Oklahoma scores 60.9, with a fatality rate of 1.59 and notable rough road conditions (6.64% rural, 15.44% urban). Higher per capita spending ($1,001.91) reflects ongoing efforts to improve road safety and maintenance.
10. Arkansas:
Arkansas ranks 41st with a score of 61.1, balancing rural (5.01%) and urban (13.87%) rough road challenges. Significant per capita spending ($1,030.86) targets infrastructure improvements across diverse terrains.
These rankings highlight each state’s road quality challenges, emphasizing the need for increased investment and strategic maintenance to enhance safety and efficiency for residents and visitors alike.