Infrastructure
The States with the Worst Highways: Every State Ranked
Published:
It is no secret that America’s infrastructure is in decline. Bridges and roadways across the nation are in dire need of repair. The 1950’s Federal-Aid Highway Act saw the building of multiple highways throughout the United States. However, seven decades later, these structures have not withstood the test of time. Many of these crumbling roadways, along with their reconstruction, have caused issues for travelers. A recent example of this is the rebuilding of Omaha’s North Freeway. With the 2024 Men’s College Baseball World Series in full swing, this much-needed highway project will likely result in heavy traffic.
Each state faces its own particular struggles with maintaining roadways. For example, in northern states where winters are freezing, potholes are much more common. In order to rank all 50 states, 24/7 Wall St. used data from the Libertarian Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report. This report accessed states based on highway system budgets and performance, across 13 categories. These include deficient bridges, traffic fatalities, spending, administrative costs, and pavement conditions.
More specifically, 24/7 Wall St. utilized the Reason Foundations 27th Annual Highway Report to determine the states with the worst highways. This ranking covers all 50 states, including multiple measures. Additionally, we added disbursement categories.
The multitude of categories considered include terrain, truck volumes, budgets, cost differences, climate, urbanization, maintenance policies, and age of highway.
Among the five highest-ranking states are southern locations like Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Connecticut and Virginia are also in the top five. Conversely, the lowest-ranking states are spread out across the nation and include California, New York, Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington.
Why We Are Covering This
As climate change wreaks further havoc year after year, it becomes apparent that America’s infrastructure is not built to handle excessive heat, flooding, and other climate-related issues. San Francisco, which is projected to grow 37% wetter by the year 2100, is currently incapable of withstanding future climate damage. As flooding becomes more problematic, city officials realize infrastructure will crumble under worsening conditions.
Virginia — overall rank: 1
Virginia’s worst ranking category is other fatality rate (rank:29). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $34,870, which is the 8th lowest. Virginia’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 2.57% (rank:19), while its rural mileage is 0.35% (rank:5). The state’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 3.79% (rank:10). The state-control highway miles stand at 128,989, which is the 3rd highest.
North Carolina — overall rank: 2
North Carolina’s worst ranking category is other fatality rate (rank:39). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $41,126, which is the 15th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 2.27% (rank:15), while its rural mileage is 0.77% (rank:15). North Carolina’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 7.02% (rank:30). The state-control highway miles stand at 173,653, which is the 2nd highest.
Tennessee — overall rank: 3
Tennessee’s worst ranking category is urban fatality rate (rank:47). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $48,910, which is the 16th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 1.66% (rank:10), while its rural mileage is 0.67% (rank:12). Tennessee’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 4.14% (rank 11). The state-control highway miles stand at 37,746, which is the 17th highest.
Georgia — overall rank: 4
Georgia’s worst ranking category is urbanized area congestion (rank:40). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $66,805, which is the 20th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 1.36% (rank:5), while its rural mileage is 0.91% (rank:18). Georgia’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 2.13% (rank:6). The state-control highway miles stand at 49,497, which is the 11th highest.
Connecticut — overall rank: 5
Connecticut’s worst ranking category is urbanized area congestion (rank:42). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $205,881, which is the 8th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 1.57% (rank:8), while its rural mileage is 0.73% (rank:13). Connecticut’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 5.30% (rank:22). The state-control highway miles stand at 9,827, which is the 7th lowest.
South Carolina — overall rank: 6
South Carolina’s worst ranking category is rural fatality rate (rank:50). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $27,474, which is the 3rd lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 1.13% (rank:3), while its rural mileage is 0.95% (rank:19). South Carolina’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 5.31% (rank:23). The state-control highway miles stand at 90,552, which is the 4th highest.
Kentucky — overall rank: 7
Kentucky’s worst ranking category is other fatality rate (rank:48). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $36,139, which is the 11th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 2.32% (rank:16), while its rural mileage is 0.80% (rank:16). Kentucky’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 6.87% (rank:26). The state-control highway miles stand at 62,346, which is the 8th highest.
Florida — overall rank: 8
Florida’s worst ranking category is urban fatality rate (rank:49). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $241,859, which is the 4th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 1.59% (rank:9), while its rural mileage is 0.15% (rank:1). Florida’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 3.62% (rank:8). The state-control highway miles stand at 45,013, which is the 12th highest.
North Dakota — overall rank: 9
North Dakota’s worst ranking category is structurally deficient bridges (rank:43). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $26,932, which is the 2nd lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 0.98% (rank:2), while its rural mileage is 0.38% (rank:7). North Dakota’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 11.23% (rank:43). The state-control highway miles stand at 17,245, which is the 15th lowest.
Utah — overall rank: 10
Utah’s worst ranking category is other disbursements ratio (rank:47). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $104,697, which is the 15th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 2.69% (rank:20), while its rural mileage is 0.30% (rank:4). Utah’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 2.06% (rank:5). The state-control highway miles stand at 16,023, which is the 14th lowest.
Missouri — overall rank: 11
Missouri’s worst ranking category is urban fatality rate (rank:42). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $27,773, which is the 5th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 3.03% (rank:24), while its rural mileage is 0.55% (rank:9). Missouri’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 9.02% (rank:39). The state-control highway miles stand at 77,693, which is the 6th highest.
Minnesota — overall rank: 12
Minnesota’s worst ranking category is maintenance disbursements ratio (rank:40). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $80,690, which is the 24th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 3.20% (rank:27), while its rural mileage is 0.89% (rank:17). Minnesota’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 4.58% (rank:12). The state-control highway miles stand at 29,176, which is the 22nd highest.
Arkansas — overall rank: 13
Arkansas’ worst ranking category is rural interstate pavement condition (rank:37). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $35,367, which is the 9th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 5.13% (rank:35), while its rural mileage is 2.65% (rank:37). Arkansas’ percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 5.25% (rank:20). The state-control highway miles stand at 38,078, which is the 16th highest.
New Hampshire — overall rank: 14
New Hampshire’s worst ranking category is admin disbursements ratio (rank:45). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $70,952, which is the 22nd lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 0.16% (rank:1), while its rural mileage is 0.35% (rank:6). New Hampshire’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 7.68% (rank:34). The state-control highway miles stand at 8,453, which is the 4th lowest.
Alabama — overall rank: 15
Alabama’s worst ranking category is admin disbursements ratio (rank:42). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $73,783, which is the 23rd lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 5.16% (rank:36), while its rural mileage is 1.49% (rank:28). Alabama’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 3.63% (rank:9). The state-control highway miles stand at 29,707, which is the 20th highest.
Wyoming — overall rank: 16
Wyoming’s worst ranking category is urban fatality rate (rank:44). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $35,737, which is the 10th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 6.70% (rank:41), while its rural mileage is 1.58% (rank:31). Wyoming’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 7.39% (rank:32). The state-control highway miles stand at 15,792, which is the 13th lowest.
Ohio — overall rank: 17
Ohio’s worst ranking category is urban other principal arterial pavement condition (rank:39). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $80,329, which is the 25th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 4.56% (rank:32), while its rural mileage is 2.17% (rank:33). Ohio’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 4.91% (rank:16). The state-control highway miles stand at 49,681, which is the 10th highest.
Mississippi — overall rank: 18
Mississippi’s worst ranking category is other fatality rate (rank:49). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $36,425, which is the 13th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 3.13% (rank:26), while its rural mileage is 1.49% (rank:29). Mississippi’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 6.99% (rank:29). The state-control highway miles stand at 28,310, which is the 24th highest.
Texas — overall rank: 19
Texas’ worst ranking category is urbanized are congestion (rank:47). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $74,921, which is the 24th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 3.97% (rank:30), while its rural mileage is 1.24% (rank:22). Texas’ percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 1.43% (rank:3). The state-control highway miles stand at 198,465 which is the highest.
Massachusetts — overall rank: 20
Massachusetts’ worst ranking category is urbanized area congestion (rank:48). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $346,370, which is the 3rd highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 2.99% (rank:23), while its rural mileage is 1.04% (rank:20). Massachusetts’ percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 8.69% (rank:37). The state-control highway miles stand at 9,556, which is the 6th lowest.
Nevada — overall rank: 21
Nevada’s worst ranking category is rural fatality rate (rank:48). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $90,024, which is the 20th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 2.48% (rank:17), while its rural mileage is 0.18% (rank:2). Nevada’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 1.40% (rank:2). The state-control highway miles stand at 13,509, which is the 11th lowest.
Kansas — overall rank: 22
Kansas’ worst ranking category is other disbursement ratio (rank:48). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $50,211, which is the 18th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 3.08% (rank:25), while its rural mileage is 0.74% (rank:14). Kansas’ percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 5.12% (rank:17). The state-control highway miles stand at 24,037, which is the 24th lowest.
Indiana — overall rank: 23
Indiana’s worst ranking category is maintenance disbursement ratio (rank:48). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $95, 146, which is the 18th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 4.24% (rank:31), while its rural mileage is 2.76% (rank:39). Indiana’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 5.60% (rank:24). The state-control highway miles stand at 28,445, which is the 23rd highest.
Maryland — overall rank: 24
Maryland’s worst ranking category is urban interstate pavement condition (rank:42). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $213,604, which is the 6th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 6.94% (rank:42), while its rural mileage is 1.24% (rank:23). Maryland’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 4.65% (rank:14). The state-control highway miles stand at 14,928, which is the 12th lowest.
Montana — overall rank: 25
Montana’s worst ranking category is rural fatality rate (rank:47). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $31,102, which is the 6th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 1.74% (rank:13), while its rural mileage is 1.32% (rank:25). Montana’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 6.93% (rank:28). The state-control highway miles stand at 25,211, which is the 25th lowest.
Nebraska — overall rank: 26
Nebraska’s worst ranking category is urban other principal arterial pavement condition (rank:48). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $36,202, which is the 12th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 3.85% (rank:29), while its rural mileage is 0.62% (rank:10). Nebraska’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 8.34% (rank:36). The state-control highway miles stand at 22,541, which is the 21st lowest.
Michigan — overall rank: 27
Michigan’s worst ranking category is urban interstate pavement condition (rank:43). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $92,566, which is the 19th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 7.79% (rank:43), while its rural mileage is 3.00% (rank:41). Michigan’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 10.99% (rank:42). The state-control highway miles stand at 27,366, which is the 25th highest.
South Dakota — overall rank: 28
South Dakota’s worst ranking category is structurally deficient bridges (rank:47). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $27,628, which is the 4th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 1.14% (rank:4), while its rural mileage is 0.44% (rank:8). South Dakota’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 17.30% (rank:47). The state-control highway miles stand at 17,955, which is the 17th lowest.
Illinois — overall rank: 29
Illinois’ worst ranking category is other urbanized area congestion (rank:45). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $123,480, which is the 12th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 4.82% (rank:34), while its rural mileage is 1.34% (rank:26). Illinois’ percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 8.96% (rank:38). The state-control highway miles stand at 42,169, which is the 13th highest.
Arizona — overall rank: 30
Arizona’s worst ranking category is urban fatality rate (rank:48). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $107,607, which is the 14th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 2.13% (rank:14), while its rural mileage is 2.22% (rank:34). Arizona’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 1.38% (rank:1). The state-control highway miles stand at 20,046, which is the 20th lowest.
Iowa — overall rank: 31
Iowa’s worst ranking category is structurally deficient bridges (rank:49). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $63.391, which is the 19th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 4.72% (rank:33), while its rural mileage is 1.55% (rank:30). Iowa’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 18.87% (rank:49). The state-control highway miles stand at 22.918, which is the 22nd lowest.
Maine — overall rank: 32
Maine’s worst ranking category is rural other principal arterial condition (rank:47). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $49,234, which is the 17th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 1.43% (rank:7), while its rural mileage is 1.39% (rank:27). Maine’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 12.64% (rank:44). The state-control highway miles stand at 17,467, which is the 16th lowest.
Wisconsin — overall rank: 33
Wisconsin’s worst ranking category is urban other principal arterial pavement condition (rank:43). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $85,189, which is the 22nd highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 5.23% (rank:37), while its rural mileage is 2.63% (rank:36). Wisconsin’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 6.90% (rank:27). The state-control highway miles stand at 29,806, which is the 19th highest.
Idaho — overall rank: 34
Idaho’s worst ranking category is capital and bridge disbursements ratio (rank:48). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $68,714, which is the 21st lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 1.66% (rank:11), while its rural mileage is 2.08% (rank:32). Idaho’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 5.22% (rank:19). The state-control highway miles stand at 12.272, which is the 10th lowest.
Delaware — overall rank: 35
Delaware’s worst ranking category is admin disbursements ratio (rank:49). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $148,392, which is the 11th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 8.67% (rank:44). Delaware’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 1.94% (rank:4). The state-control highway miles stand at 11,998, which is the 9th lowest.
New Mexico — overall rank: 36
New Mexico’s worst ranking category is urban fatality rate (rank:50). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $33,130, which is the 7th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 3.57% (rank:28), while its rural mileage is 2.81% (rank:40). New Mexico’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 5.17% (rank:18). The state-control highway miles stand at 29,430, which is the 21st highest.
Oregon — overall rank: 37
Oregon’s worst ranking category is other disbursements ratio (rank:49). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $108,401, which is the 13th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 2.88% (rank:21), while its rural mileage is 0.66% (rank:11). oregon’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 4.64% (rank:13). The state-control highway miles stand at 18,460, which is the 18th lowest.
Vermont — overall rank: 38
Vermont’s worst ranking category is admin disbursements ratio (rank:50). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $78,884, which is the 25th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 1.37% (rank:6), while its rural mileage is 1.14% (rank:21). Vermont’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 2.40% (rank:7). The state-control highway miles stand at 5,998, which is the 3rd lowest.
West Virginia — overall rank: 39
West Virginia’s worst ranking category is structurally deficient bridges (rank:50). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $20,882, which is the lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 8.99% (rank:45), while its rural mileage is 3.44% (rank:44). West Virginia’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 20.37% (rank:50). The state-control highway miles stand at 71,054, which is the 7th highest.
Louisiana — overall rank: 40
Louisiana’s worst ranking category is urban interstate pavement condition (rank:49). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $40,641, which is the 14th lowest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 11.99% (rank:49), while its rural mileage is 3.07% (rank:43). Louisiana’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 12.76% (rank:45). The state-control highway miles stand at 40,154, which is the 14th highest.
Pennsylvania — overall rank: 41
Pennsylvania’s worst ranking category is structurally deficient bridges (rank:42). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $102,258, which is the 16th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 6.13% (rank:39), while its rural mileage is 3.03% (rank:42). Pennsylvania’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 13.80% (rank:46). The state-control highway miles stand at 88,322, which is the 5th highest.
Rhode Island — overall rank: 42
Rhode Island’s worst ranking category is rural other principal arterial pavement condition (rank:49). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $220,035, which is the 5th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 2.49% (rank:18), while its rural mileage is 0.27% (rank:3). Rhode Island’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 17.46% (rank:48). The state-control highway miles stand at 2,870, which is the 2nd lowest.
Colorado — overall rank: 43
Colorado’s worst ranking category is rural interstate pavement condition (rank:47). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $84,343, which is the 23rd highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 6.64% (rank:40), while its rural mileage is 8.32% (rank:47). Colorado’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 5.29% (rank:21). The state-control highway miles stand at 23,022, which is the 23rd lowest.
New Jersey — overall rank: 44
New Jersey’s worst ranking category is urbanized area congestion (rank:50). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $1,137,815, which is the highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 9.32% (rank:46), while its rural mileage is 1.29% (rank:24). New Jersey’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 7.09% (rank:31). The state-control highway miles stand at 8,551, which is the 5th lowest.
Oklahoma — overall rank: 45
Oklahoma’s worst ranking category is maintainable disbursements ratio (rank:45). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $88,624, which is the 21st highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 5.42% (rank:38), while its rural mileage is 2.36% (rank:35). Oklahoma’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 9.89% (rank:41). The state-control highway miles stand at 30,407, which is the 18th highest.
Washington — overall rank: 46
Washington’s worst ranking category is capital and bridge disbursements ratio (rank:50). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $202,793, which is the 9th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 2.92% (rank:22), while its rural mileage is 4.10% (rank:45). Washington’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 4.80% (rank:15). The state-control highway miles stand at 18,450, which is the 19th lowest.
California — overall rank: 47
California’s worst ranking category is urban other principal arterial interstate pavement condition (rank:50). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $207,482, which is the 7th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 9.38% (rank:47), while its rural mileage is 4.52% (rank:46). California’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 5.80% (rank:25). The state-control highway miles stand at 52,004, which is the 9th highest.
Hawaii — overall rank: 48
Hawaii’s worst ranking category is urban interstate pavement condition (rank:50). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $155,395, which is the 10th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 25.88 (rank:50). Hawaii’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 7.49% (rank:33). The state-control highway miles stand at 2,477, which is the lowest.
New York — overall rank: 49
New York’s worst ranking category is other disbursement ratio (rank:50). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $374,937, which is the 2nd highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 9.39% (rank:48), while its rural mileage is 2.73% (rank:38). New York’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 9.52% (rank:40). The state-control highway miles stand at 38,157, which is the 15th highest.
Alaska — overall rank: 50
Alaska’s worst ranking category is rural other principal arterial pavement condition (rank:50). Its total disbursements per lane-mile is $98,583, which is the 17th highest. The state’s percent urban interstate mileage in poor condition is 1.69% (rank:12), while its rural mileage is 9.63% (rank:48). Alaska’s percentage of structurally deficient bridges is 8.21% (rank:35). The state-control highway miles stand at 11,754, which is the 8th lowest.
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