What state has the best roads?

Which state in the United States has the best roads, and which state contains the worst roads?

It can be hard to determine which state has the best roads in the United States because various sources use different metrics. Some lists compare state road conditions based on public opinion and commute times. Other lists will use aggregate data regarding road conditions.

When weighing this topic, we should consider all those factors and more. Also, we should inquire about how road conditions can affect car insurance rates. Can you obtain cheap car insurance in a state with poor road conditions?

Read on to learn more about which state has the best roads in the United States and the data you can use to compare state roads and infrastructure. And if you want to see rates from top car insurance companies in your area, enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool above.

Which state has the best roads in the United States?

How can you determine if a state’s roads are in good condition?

Previously, we mentioned the top 10 states with the best roads in the U.S., and Kansas topped the list. Here’s the list again:

1. Kansas
2. Alabama
3. North Dakota
4. Kentucky
5. Florida
6. Idaho
7. New Hampshire
8. Georgia
9. Nevada
10. Vermont

The rankings derive from a 2021 Consumer Affairs study. In the past five to six years, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming have garnered high rankings as well.

How do many studies create their rankings? In most cases, classifications rely on professional analyses of roads and bridges. The Consumer Affairs piece examined the following:

• Resident ratings
• The roughness of rural and urban turnpikes
• State spending per capita

But is that all we should use to compare state road conditions? Let’s delve deeper into the areas we should measure to determine which states have the best and worst roads in America.

Roughness of Roads

In our review of states with the best roads, we shared data from Consumer Affairs.

Worst Road Condition Ranks by State

As you can see, Rhode Island has the worst overall road conditions since it leads all states in the roughness index on two fronts. New York rounds out the list of the top 10 states with the worst roads, and Montana is one of the 20 states with the worst roads.

Fatal Accidents and Injuries Due to Road Conditions

Most car accidents may happen as a result of driving behaviors, but a road’s condition is still a factor. According to the National Institutes of Health, at least 1.3% of fatal crashes occur due to poor road conditions.

Also, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more fatal accidents occur on rural roads:

“While one-fifth of Americans live in rural areas, rural America’s traffic fatalities are disproportionately high, totaling   46% of fatalities in 2018. Further, of the nation’s bridges that are posted for weight limits, 90% are in rural areas.”

Over 70% of the “road miles” in the United States derive from rural areas. And more one-car accidents tend to occur in rural areas, thus presenting a challenge for anyone who wants to increase road safety.

Roads Per Square Mile/Per Capita

What state has the most roads per square mile? Texas has the most roads per capita and, therefore, the most road miles in the United States. And according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, approximately 78% of Texas’ road miles are acceptable for drivers to use.

State Expenditures

Of course, we should examine how much states spend on their roads per capita and compare that to the amount that states spend on roads. And we can match that against the number of turnpikes and road miles that states contain.

How much is your state spending on highways?

State and Local Expenditures on Highways Per Capita (2004-2019)

This data originates from the Tax Policy Center.

Driver Costs

Additionally, we should determine how road conditions cost drivers. Here is some information that we shared previously:

Driver's Road Repair Cost by State

Motorists help supply state revenue, thus adding to state budgets.

How can road conditions affect your car insurance rates?

While your location can impact your car insurance rates, car insurance companies will not factor in road conditions. The companies weigh risk on driver behaviors and trends, and people living in highly populated areas are more likely to become involved in car accidents.

However, if you have comprehensive car insurance coverage on your policy, you might have road condition coverage if your car takes on damage due to a pothole. But keep in mind that filing a claim might affect your future rates.

Beyond that, if you maintain a clean driving record, your rates will remain low. Also, you may earn car insurance discounts for good driving if your insurance company offers them.

Hopefully, this information about which state has the best roads is enlightening. And if you are ready to view rates from top companies in your area, enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool below.