Driving Success: The States Setting the Gold Standard in Road Infrastructure
Not all American roads are a smooth ride.
According to a new LendingTree study, Louisiana has the worst road infrastructure, particularly when it comes to alternative fuel stations and acceptable roads.
After reviewing our findings, stick around for tips on utilizing car insurance to minimize the financial risks of driving on roads with poor infrastructure.
Key findings
- Oregon, Nevada, Vermont and Delaware have the best road infrastructure. Oregon is the only state in the top 20 across each of the four metrics analyzed, carried by being eighth for its alternative fuel station rate.
- Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and New Mexico have the worst road infrastructure. Louisiana finishes in the bottom half in every category, including having the lowest alternative fuel station rate of any state.
- New Jersey saw a massive increase in its percentage of acceptable roads. Even though the state’s percentage of acceptable roads in 2022 was 30th across the U.S. at 81.5%, that’s up a significant 37.6 percentage points from 43.9% in 2013.
- Another Northeast state — Connecticut — saw the only double-digit decrease in its percentage of poor bridge area. The Constitution State significantly improved its rate from 18.2% in 2014 to 6.9% in 2023 — a drop of 11.3 percentage points. That said, the state only ranked 37th in the U.S. for bridge quality in 2023.
- D.C. is the only state to cut its highway vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per 1,000 drivers by more than a fifth. D.C. saw a sizable 23.0% decrease from 8.7 VMT per 1,000 drivers in 2013 to 6.7 in 2022. That 2022 figure stands out because it’s also the lowest across the U.S.
Oregon has best road infrastructure
The Beaver State has the best road infrastructure. Most notably, Oregon is the only state in the top 20 across each of the four metrics analyzed. Its highest ranking is eighth, with an alternative fuel station rate of 6.7 per 10,000 residents. (The average across the 50 states and D.C. is 4.6.)
This is particularly important as drivers utilize more environmentally friendly options, like electric vehicles, increasing the need for alternative fueling stations. Notably, Oregon also has the eighth-best electric vehicle infrastructure, according to an April 2024 LendingTree study.
States with the best road infrastructure
| Rank | State | % of acceptable roads | % of poor bridge area | Alternative fuel stations per 10,000 residents | Highway VMT per 1,000 drivers | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | 88.8% | 3.3% | 6.7 | 11.8 | 13.8 |
| 2 | Nevada | 85.5% | 0.8% | 5.1 | 12.5 | 14.0 |
| 3 | Vermont | 91.5% | 4.0% | 14.7 | 14.9 | 17.0 |
| 4 | Delaware | 83.7% | 2.5% | 4.0 | 11.5 | 17.5 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and U.S. Census Bureau data.
Nevada closely follows in second. In particular, Nevada has the smallest percentage of poor bridge area, at just 0.8%. (The average across the 50 states and D.C. is 5.6%.) However, it ranks 22nd for acceptable road quality, with 85.5% of roads being acceptable — above the national average of 81.5%. Vermont trails in third, landing toward the top mainly due to its No. 2 finish in alternative fuel stations per 10,000 residents. Delaware ranks fourth. It finishes eighth in bridge area quality, with just 2.5% of bridge areas deemed poor.
What’s an acceptable road or bridge? States use the International Roughness Index (IRI) or the Present Serviceability Index (PSI) to determine the roughness or serviceability of a road — whether it has cracks, potholes, etc. A score of “fair” or “good” is considered acceptable. For bridges, states rate the conditions of the deck, superstructure, substructure and culvert. Its lowest rating determines its classification.
Louisiana has worst road infrastructure
Don’t count on country roads to take you home. Louisiana has the worst road infrastructure, finishing in the bottom half in every category. Most notably, it has the lowest alternative fuel station rate of any state, at 1.4 per 10,000 residents. It also ranks as the eighth-worst state for road quality, with just 71.5% of roads deemed acceptable.
States with the worst road infrastructure
| Rank | State | % of acceptable roads | % of poor bridge area | Alternative fuel stations per 10,000 residents | Highway VMT per 1,000 drivers | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana | 71.5% | 6.3% | 1.4 | 16.6 | 42.3 |
| 2 | Mississippi | 70.0% | 3.1% | 2.0 | 19.5 | 38.0 |
| 3 | Missouri | 74.8% | 7.9% | 4.3 | 18.5 | 36.3 |
| 3 | New Mexico | 66.8% | 4.5% | 3.3 | 17.8 | 36.3 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BTS and U.S. Census Bureau data.
Mississippi ranks next. While it finishes 10th-best for its small percentage of poor bridge area, it finishes in the bottom six in the rest of the metrics. It’s third-to-last for its highway VMT rate (19.5 per 1,000 drivers), tied for fourth-to-last for its alternative fuel station rate (2.0 per 10,000 residents) and sixth-to-last for its percentage of acceptable roads (70.0%).
Missouri ties with New Mexico in third. Most notably, Missouri finishes in the bottom half in every metric except alternative fuel stations, where it ranks 18th. (It has the fourth-worst VMT rate, at 18.5 per 1,000 drivers.) Meanwhile, New Mexico has the fourth-worst road quality, with only 66.8% of roads deemed acceptable.
LendingTree auto insurance expert and licensed insurance agent Rob Bhatt says it’s important to exercise safe and responsible driving practices in any environment, particularly those with poor road quality.
Full rankings
States with the best/worst road infrastructure
| Rank | State | % of acceptable roads | % of poor bridge area | Alternative fuel stations per 10,000 residents | Highway VMT per 1,000 drivers | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oregon | 88.8% | 3.3% | 6.7 | 11.8 | 13.8 |
| 2 | Nevada | 85.5% | 0.8% | 5.1 | 12.5 | 14.0 |
| 3 | Vermont | 91.5% | 4.0% | 14.7 | 14.9 | 17.0 |
| 4 | Delaware | 83.7% | 2.5% | 4.0 | 11.5 | 17.5 |
| 5 | Kansas | 95.6% | 3.2% | 4.2 | 15.3 | 18.3 |
| 6 | Colorado | 76.4% | 3.8% | 8.2 | 12.0 | 18.5 |
| 7 | Florida | 85.9% | 1.5% | 3.8 | 13.8 | 18.8 |
| 8 | Hawaii | 61.3% | 3.1% | 6.5 | 11.0 | 19.0 |
| 9 | Arizona | 74.8% | 1.0% | 4.2 | 13.0 | 19.8 |
| 10 | Utah | 82.9% | 1.5% | 5.8 | 15.2 | 20.0 |
| 10 | Maryland | 70.3% | 2.8% | 7.1 | 12.9 | 20.0 |
| 12 | Georgia | 92.0% | 1.0% | 4.1 | 17.5 | 20.3 |
| 13 | Virginia | 82.3% | 3.1% | 4.4 | 14.1 | 20.8 |
| 13 | District of Columbia | 10.7% | 5.7% | 14.9 | 6.7 | 20.8 |
| 15 | Minnesota | 91.8% | 5.0% | 4.3 | 14.0 | 21.0 |
| 16 | California | 76.0% | 6.9% | 11.8 | 11.4 | 21.8 |
| 17 | Idaho | 95.5% | 3.6% | 2.3 | 13.8 | 22.3 |
| 18 | Nebraska | 92.4% | 4.7% | 3.3 | 14.7 | 22.8 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 84.0% | 6.7% | 3.6 | 11.3 | 23.8 |
| 20 | Ohio | 85.3% | 3.5% | 2.8 | 13.2 | 24.3 |
| 21 | Alabama | 98.3% | 1.3% | 2.0 | 17.5 | 24.5 |
| 21 | Washington | 71.9% | 7.7% | 6.2 | 9.8 | 24.5 |
| 23 | Oklahoma | 91.7% | 3.6% | 3.6 | 17.4 | 25.3 |
| 23 | New Jersey | 81.5% | 6.5% | 3.3 | 11.3 | 25.3 |
| 23 | New York | 74.6% | 10.5% | 5.3 | 9.5 | 25.3 |
| 26 | Iowa | 92.0% | 10.1% | 4.2 | 13.9 | 25.5 |
| 27 | Connecticut | 66.9% | 6.9% | 5.2 | 11.3 | 26.5 |
| 27 | Massachusetts | 73.9% | 10.7% | 8.7 | 11.6 | 26.5 |
| 29 | Tennessee | 94.4% | 4.9% | 2.8 | 16.4 | 27.0 |
| 29 | North Dakota | 94.2% | 5.2% | 3.2 | 16.3 | 27.0 |
| 31 | Wyoming | 95.8% | 7.1% | 4.4 | 21.6 | 27.3 |
| 31 | Maine | 81.1% | 10.3% | 6.6 | 13.8 | 27.3 |
| 33 | North Carolina | 87.9% | 5.9% | 3.3 | 15.0 | 27.5 |
| 33 | Rhode Island | 62.8% | 15.3% | 7.5 | 9.9 | 27.5 |
| 35 | Indiana | 97.0% | 3.2% | 2.2 | 20.6 | 27.8 |
| 36 | Arkansas | 92.7% | 5.0% | 2.8 | 16.7 | 28.8 |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | 73.8% | 6.3% | 3.0 | 11.0 | 28.8 |
| 38 | Texas | 76.9% | 1.2% | 2.5 | 15.5 | 29.3 |
| 38 | Michigan | 84.1% | 8.1% | 3.2 | 12.3 | 29.3 |
| 40 | West Virginia | 92.9% | 15.2% | 2.5 | 13.3 | 30.5 |
| 41 | South Dakota | 87.5% | 9.6% | 3.3 | 15.0 | 31.0 |
| 42 | Montana | 89.4% | 6.3% | 2.6 | 15.5 | 31.5 |
| 43 | Kentucky | 91.5% | 4.9% | 1.7 | 16.1 | 31.8 |
| 44 | Alaska | 77.8% | 7.5% | 1.6 | 10.5 | 32.0 |
| 45 | South Carolina | 82.7% | 5.3% | 2.3 | 14.4 | 32.5 |
| 46 | Illinois | 79.3% | 11.4% | 3.0 | 12.2 | 33.0 |
| 47 | Wisconsin | 74.3% | 4.3% | 2.6 | 15.1 | 33.8 |
| 48 | New Mexico | 66.8% | 4.5% | 3.3 | 17.8 | 36.3 |
| 48 | Missouri | 74.8% | 7.9% | 4.3 | 18.5 | 36.3 |
| 50 | Mississippi | 70.0% | 3.1% | 2.0 | 19.5 | 38.0 |
| 51 | Louisiana | 71.5% | 6.3% | 1.4 | 16.6 | 42.3 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BTS and U.S. Census Bureau data.
New Jersey sees spike in acceptable roads
Separate from our rankings, it’s worth noting that New Jersey saw a massive increase in its percentage of acceptable roads. Its percentage of acceptable roads was just 43.9% in 2013, but it jumped 37.6 percentage points to 81.5% in 2022. (The U.S. average jumped 2.7 percentage points from 78.8% to 81.5%.)
According to the New Jersey Department of Transportation, road and bridge rehabilitation projects that started after 2013 include the Pulaski Skyway, the Route 3, Route 46, Valley Road and Notch/Rifle Camp Road interchange and the I-287/I-78, I-287/Routes 202/206 interchange.
Biggest increases (percentage points) in % of acceptable roads by state
| Rank | State | % of acceptable roads, 2013 | % of acceptable roads, 2022 | Change (percentage points) in % of acceptable roads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | 43.9% | 81.5% | 37.6 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | 67.6% | 91.7% | 24.1 |
| 3 | West Virginia | 70.9% | 92.9% | 22.0 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BTS data.
Oklahoma followed, with the percentage of acceptable roads jumping 24.1 percentage points from 67.6% in 2013 to 91.7% in 2022. West Virginia rounded out the top three, increasing 22.0 percentage points from 70.9% to 92.9%.
Bhatt says this is a cautiously good sign for drivers.
“Improved roads tend to be safer,” he says. “This can reduce accident rates, which, in turn, can reduce the financial pressures that lead insurance companies to raise their rates. That said, you likely wouldn’t see an immediate impact. Insurance rates have gone up pretty quickly over the past few years for a combination of reasons, including a spike in accident rates and inflation. There are signs that all trends are cooling, which may allow insurance rates to stabilize for a while.”
Full rankings
Biggest increases/decreases (percentage points) in % of acceptable roads by state
| Rank | State | % of acceptable roads, 2013 | % of acceptable roads, 2022 | Change (percentage points) in % of acceptable roads |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | 43.9% | 81.5% | 37.6 |
| 2 | Oklahoma | 67.6% | 91.7% | 24.1 |
| 3 | West Virginia | 70.9% | 92.9% | 22.0 |
| 4 | Vermont | 74.7% | 91.5% | 16.8 |
| 5 | California | 60.1% | 76.0% | 15.9 |
| 6 | Arkansas | 77.1% | 92.7% | 15.6 |
| 7 | Indiana | 82.7% | 97.0% | 14.3 |
| 8 | Connecticut | 53.7% | 66.9% | 13.2 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 73.1% | 84.0% | 10.9 |
| 10 | Alabama | 89.1% | 98.3% | 9.2 |
| 11 | Iowa | 83.4% | 92.0% | 8.6 |
| 12 | Maine | 73.0% | 81.1% | 8.1 |
| 13 | Kansas | 89.4% | 95.6% | 6.2 |
| 14 | Georgia | 86.7% | 92.0% | 5.3 |
| 15 | Hawaii | 56.8% | 61.3% | 4.5 |
| 15 | District of Columbia | 6.2% | 10.7% | 4.5 |
| 17 | Wyoming | 91.8% | 95.8% | 4.0 |
| 18 | Washington | 68.4% | 71.9% | 3.5 |
| 19 | New York | 71.2% | 74.6% | 3.4 |
| 20 | Virginia | 79.4% | 82.3% | 2.9 |
| 20 | Illinois | 76.4% | 79.3% | 2.9 |
| 22 | Florida | 83.4% | 85.9% | 2.5 |
| 23 | Tennessee | 92.6% | 94.4% | 1.8 |
| 24 | Idaho | 94.9% | 95.5% | 0.6 |
| 24 | Minnesota | 91.2% | 91.8% | 0.6 |
| 26 | Kentucky | 91.0% | 91.5% | 0.5 |
| 26 | Delaware | 83.2% | 83.7% | 0.5 |
| 26 | Utah | 82.4% | 82.9% | 0.5 |
| 29 | Montana | 89.4% | 89.4% | 0.0 |
| 30 | Colorado | 76.5% | 76.4% | -0.1 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | 74.5% | 74.3% | -0.2 |
| 32 | North Dakota | 94.6% | 94.2% | -0.4 |
| 33 | Oregon | 89.5% | 88.8% | -0.7 |
| 34 | North Carolina | 89.2% | 87.9% | -1.3 |
| 34 | Ohio | 86.6% | 85.3% | -1.3 |
| 36 | Alaska | 79.3% | 77.8% | -1.5 |
| 37 | Rhode Island | 64.6% | 62.8% | -1.8 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | 75.9% | 73.8% | -2.1 |
| 39 | Massachusetts | 76.7% | 73.9% | -2.8 |
| 39 | Nebraska | 95.2% | 92.4% | -2.8 |
| 41 | Missouri | 77.9% | 74.8% | -3.1 |
| 42 | Mississippi | 73.4% | 70.0% | -3.4 |
| 43 | Louisiana | 75.2% | 71.5% | -3.7 |
| 44 | South Carolina | 86.8% | 82.7% | -4.1 |
| 45 | Maryland | 76.2% | 70.3% | -5.9 |
| 46 | Michigan | 92.0% | 84.1% | -7.9 |
| 47 | South Dakota | 95.8% | 87.5% | -8.3 |
| 48 | New Mexico | 75.2% | 66.8% | -8.4 |
| 49 | Nevada | 95.7% | 85.5% | -10.2 |
| 50 | Arizona | 92.1% | 74.8% | -17.3 |
| 51 | Texas | 94.7% | 76.9% | -17.8 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BTS data.
Connecticut improves poor bridge area most
Connecticut saw the biggest decrease in its percentage of poor bridge area. Here, the percentage of poor bridge area fell 11.3 percentage points from 18.2% in 2014 to 6.9% in 2023. That makes it the only state with a double-digit drop. (The average across the U.S. dropped 1.7 percentage points in the same period, from 7.3% to 5.6%.)
Still, Connecticut’s bridge quality in 2023 ranked 37th by state.
Biggest decreases (percentage points) in % of poor bridge area by state
| Rank | State | % of poor bridge area, 2014 | % of poor bridge area, 2023 | Change (percentage points) in % of poor bridge area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | 18.2% | 6.9% | -11.3 |
| 2 | Wyoming | 15.4% | 7.1% | -8.3 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 10.1% | 3.6% | -6.5 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 12.8% | 6.3% | -6.5 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BTS data.
Wyoming ranked second, with its percentage of poor bridge area falling 8.3 percentage points from 15.4% to 7.1%. Oklahoma and Pennsylvania tied for third, with drops of 6.5 percentage points.
Full rankings
Biggest decreases/increases (percentage points) in % of poor bridge area by state
| Rank | State | % of poor bridge area, 2014 | % of poor bridge area, 2023 | Change (percentage points) in % of poor bridge area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | 18.2% | 6.9% | -11.3 |
| 2 | Wyoming | 15.4% | 7.1% | -8.3 |
| 3 | Oklahoma | 10.1% | 3.6% | -6.5 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | 12.8% | 6.3% | -6.5 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 20.7% | 15.3% | -5.4 |
| 6 | North Carolina | 10.7% | 5.9% | -4.8 |
| 7 | Indiana | 7.9% | 3.2% | -4.7 |
| 8 | California | 11.2% | 6.9% | -4.3 |
| 9 | Idaho | 7.1% | 3.6% | -3.5 |
| 10 | Alaska | 10.7% | 7.5% | -3.2 |
| 10 | Delaware | 5.7% | 2.5% | -3.2 |
| 12 | Arizona | 3.9% | 1.0% | -2.9 |
| 13 | Louisiana | 9.1% | 6.3% | -2.8 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | 12.8% | 10.7% | -2.1 |
| 14 | New Jersey | 8.6% | 6.5% | -2.1 |
| 16 | Ohio | 5.5% | 3.5% | -2.0 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 8.6% | 6.7% | -1.9 |
| 17 | New York | 12.4% | 10.5% | -1.9 |
| 19 | Georgia | 2.8% | 1.0% | -1.8 |
| 19 | Virginia | 4.9% | 3.1% | -1.8 |
| 19 | South Carolina | 7.1% | 5.3% | -1.8 |
| 22 | Nebraska | 6.4% | 4.7% | -1.7 |
| 23 | Alabama | 2.9% | 1.3% | -1.6 |
| 23 | Mississippi | 4.7% | 3.1% | -1.6 |
| 25 | New Mexico | 6.0% | 4.5% | -1.5 |
| 26 | District of Columbia | 7.1% | 5.7% | -1.4 |
| 27 | Vermont | 5.3% | 4.0% | -1.3 |
| 27 | South Dakota | 10.9% | 9.6% | -1.3 |
| 29 | Colorado | 4.7% | 3.8% | -0.9 |
| 30 | Montana | 7.1% | 6.3% | -0.8 |
| 31 | Michigan | 8.8% | 8.1% | -0.7 |
| 31 | Florida | 2.2% | 1.5% | -0.7 |
| 31 | Maryland | 3.5% | 2.8% | -0.7 |
| 31 | Oregon | 4.0% | 3.3% | -0.7 |
| 35 | Iowa | 10.6% | 10.1% | -0.5 |
| 36 | Texas | 1.5% | 1.2% | -0.3 |
| 37 | Arkansas | 5.2% | 5.0% | -0.2 |
| 37 | Missouri | 8.1% | 7.9% | -0.2 |
| 37 | Washington | 7.9% | 7.7% | -0.2 |
| 40 | Nevada | 0.9% | 0.8% | -0.1 |
| 40 | Kansas | 3.3% | 3.2% | -0.1 |
| 40 | North Dakota | 5.3% | 5.2% | -0.1 |
| 43 | Utah | 1.5% | 1.5% | 0.0 |
| 43 | Tennessee | 4.9% | 4.9% | 0.0 |
| 45 | Wisconsin | 4.2% | 4.3% | 0.1 |
| 46 | Minnesota | 4.8% | 5.0% | 0.2 |
| 46 | Kentucky | 4.7% | 4.9% | 0.2 |
| 48 | Maine | 9.4% | 10.3% | 0.9 |
| 49 | Illinois | 9.7% | 11.4% | 1.7 |
| 50 | Hawaii | 1.3% | 3.1% | 1.8 |
| 51 | West Virginia | 7.4% | 15.2% | 7.8 |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BTS data.
D.C. sees significant decrease in miles traveled per 1,000 drivers
The District of Columbia cut its highway vehicle miles traveled (VMT) rate the most, decreasing 23.0% from 8.7 VMT per 1,000 drivers in 2013 to 6.7 in 2022. As of 2022, it’s also the state with the lowest VMT rate across the U.S.
Note: VMT is often used to help determine emissions and energy consumption, but it also helps assess safety, as areas with low VMT rates have less frequent and less severe collisions.
Biggest decreases in highway VMT per 1,000 drivers by state
| Rank | State | Highway VMT traveled per 1,000 drivers, 2013 | Highway VMT per 1,000 drivers, 2022 | % change in highway VMT per 1,000 drivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 8.7 | 6.7 | -23.0% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 17.1 | 14.0 | -18.4% |
| 2 | West Virginia | 16.3 | 13.3 | -18.4% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BTS data.
That’s followed by Minnesota and West Virginia, with an 18.4% decrease for both states. (The average decrease across the U.S. was 2.3% in the same period.)
Bhatt says this is good, as accidents and insurance claims tend to drop when people drive less.
Meanwhile, Indiana, Alaska and Missouri saw the biggest increases in highway vehicle miles traveled per 1,000 drivers from 2013 to 2022. Indiana saw an 18.2% uptick in this category, with Alaska (14.7%) and Missouri (14.1%) following.
Full rankings
% decreases/increases in highway VMT per 1,000 drivers by state
| Rank | State | Highway VMT traveled per 1,000 drivers, 2013 | Highway VMT per 1,000 drivers, 2022 | % change in highway VMT per 1,000 drivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 8.7 | 6.7 | -23.0% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 17.1 | 14.0 | -18.4% |
| 2 | West Virginia | 16.3 | 13.3 | -18.4% |
| 4 | New York | 11.6 | 9.5 | -17.5% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 19.7 | 16.3 | -17.1% |
| 6 | California | 13.5 | 11.4 | -15.6% |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 19.8 | 17.4 | -12.2% |
| 8 | Delaware | 12.9 | 11.5 | -11.0% |
| 9 | Nevada | 14.0 | 12.5 | -10.9% |
| 10 | Michigan | 13.6 | 12.3 | -9.4% |
| 11 | Washington | 10.8 | 9.8 | -9.0% |
| 12 | Connecticut | 12.2 | 11.3 | -7.6% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 12.3 | 11.3 | -7.4% |
| 14 | New Hampshire | 12.2 | 11.3 | -7.0% |
| 15 | Ohio | 14.0 | 13.2 | -6.3% |
| 16 | Utah | 16.3 | 15.2 | -6.2% |
| 17 | Iowa | 14.8 | 13.9 | -5.9% |
| 18 | Maryland | 13.7 | 12.9 | -5.8% |
| 19 | Rhode Island | 10.4 | 9.9 | -4.6% |
| 20 | Illinois | 12.7 | 12.2 | -4.3% |
| 20 | Idaho | 14.4 | 13.8 | -4.3% |
| 22 | Oregon | 12.2 | 11.8 | -3.1% |
| 23 | North Carolina | 15.4 | 15.0 | -3.0% |
| 24 | Virginia | 14.4 | 14.1 | -2.5% |
| 25 | Wyoming | 22.1 | 21.6 | -2.3% |
| 26 | Florida | 14.1 | 13.8 | -2.1% |
| 27 | Texas | 15.8 | 15.5 | -1.9% |
| 28 | Colorado | 12.2 | 12.0 | -1.6% |
| 29 | Massachusetts | 11.8 | 11.6 | -1.4% |
| 30 | Pennsylvania | 11.1 | 11.0 | -1.2% |
| 31 | Montana | 15.7 | 15.5 | -1.1% |
| 31 | Maine | 14.0 | 13.8 | -1.1% |
| 33 | South Dakota | 15.1 | 15.0 | -1.0% |
| 34 | Mississippi | 19.7 | 19.5 | -0.9% |
| 35 | Hawaii | 11.0 | 11.0 | -0.5% |
| 36 | Kansas | 15.0 | 15.3 | 2.0% |
| 37 | Arizona | 12.6 | 13.0 | 3.0% |
| 38 | Kentucky | 15.6 | 16.1 | 3.1% |
| 39 | New Mexico | 17.2 | 17.8 | 3.3% |
| 40 | Alabama | 16.9 | 17.5 | 4.0% |
| 41 | South Carolina | 13.9 | 14.4 | 4.1% |
| 42 | Nebraska | 14.1 | 14.7 | 4.4% |
| 43 | Arkansas | 16.0 | 16.7 | 4.6% |
| 44 | Georgia | 16.6 | 17.5 | 5.8% |
| 45 | Wisconsin | 14.3 | 15.1 | 6.1% |
| 46 | Tennessee | 15.4 | 16.4 | 6.5% |
| 47 | Vermont | 13.1 | 14.9 | 13.7% |
| 48 | Louisiana | 14.6 | 16.6 | 14.0% |
| 49 | Missouri | 16.2 | 18.5 | 14.1% |
| 50 | Alaska | 9.2 | 10.5 | 14.7% |
| 51 | Indiana | 17.4 | 20.6 | 18.2% |
Source: LendingTree analysis of BTS data.
Navigating poor road infrastructure: Top insurance tips
Poor road infrastructure can wear down a car over time, particularly if you’re dealing with potholes and cracks or traveling often and far. To help protect yourself financially, we offer the following advice:
- Consider coverage that protects against road damage. In areas with poor road infrastructure, consider comprehensive and collision coverage, which can cover damage from potholes or debris.
- Let your insurance know if you’re driving less than you used to. “A few companies offer a low-mileage discount if you drive less than 7,500 miles a year,” Bhatt says, “Some companies offer pay-per-mile insurance plans that can also save you a lot of money if you only drive a few thousand miles a year or have a car you rarely use.”
- Shop around. “If your current company doesn’t offer a low mileage discount, consider getting quotes from companies that do,” Bhatt says. “Quotes are free, no-obligation estimates, so there’s no harm in seeing if you can save money by switching to another company.”
Methodology
LendingTree researchers analyzed Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) data on various topics to create a ranking of states with the best road infrastructure.
A composite scoring system was used. The four categories — using the latest available information — were given equal weight. They were:
- Percentage of acceptable roads (2022)
- Percentage of poor bridge area (2023)
- Alternative fuel stations per 10,000 residents (2023)
- Highway vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per 1,000 drivers (2022)
Additionally, we calculated each state’s change in its percentage of acceptable roads (2013 to 2022), percentage of poor bridge area (2014 to 2023) and highway VMT per 1,000 drivers (2013 to 2022).
Alternative fuel stations per 10,000 residents were calculated by taking a state’s total of alternative fuel stations — electric, 85% ethanol, liquified petroleum gas, compressed natural gas, liquified natural gas, biodiesel and hydrogen — and dividing it by the population of the state, using the U.S. Census Bureau 2023 American Community Survey with one-year estimates.
A state’s highway vehicle miles traveled per 1,000 drivers was calculated by dividing the state’s highway vehicle miles traveled by the number of licensed drivers in a state.