The roads in these states are the roughest in America

(MoneyGeek) – State and local governments spend billions of dollars each year maintaining roads, but will they make better roads for taxpayers?

money geek Analyze data from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Census Bureau to take a closer look at U.S. urban road infrastructure, find out which states have the best and worst roads, and more state spending leads to better roads. decided whether

Our findings suggest that taxpayers are not necessarily getting their money’s worth. At best, they get enough road investment to maintain the current state of the roads, but not enough to improve them.

– About one-tenth of US roads are in poor condition, urban roads are even worse, and one-fifth are in poor condition.

– California and Rhode Island are the states with the worst road conditions, with 44% and 41% of roads in poor condition respectively.

– New Hampshire and Alabama have the best roads in the US and the lowest capital expenditures per mile ($9.82 and $6.44 respectively).

Comparison of bad roads and infrastructure spending by state

MoneyGeek analyzed overall road quality and investment levels per lane mile across all states and found that more spending on roads does not necessarily lead to better roads.

Road Roughness Index is a weighted average of observed measurements of a state’s International Roughness Index (IRI). The higher the score, the rougher the road. According to the Federal Highway Administration, an IRI measurement below 95 indicates good road condition, between 95 and 170 is acceptable, and above 170 indicates poor condition.

For example, a Roughness Index score of 160 for California means that road conditions in the state are acceptable on average.In fact, 44% of California’s roads are in poor condition, more than any other state in the United States.

These 10 states have the roughest roads in America

10. New Jersey

Average road roughness score (high = bad): 123
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 26%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 44%
Total highway spending: $6.9 billion
Spend per lane mile: $30.39

9. Michigan

Average Road Roughness Score: 128
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 24%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 38%
Total highway spending: $7.8 billion
Spend per lane mile: $7.74

8. Louisiana

Average Road Roughness Score: 128
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 26%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 36%
Total highway spending: $3.5 billion
Spend per lane mile: $9.66

7. Massachusetts

Average Road Roughness Score: 131
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 31%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 37%
Total highway spending: $5 billion
Spend per lane mile: $21.03

6. Hawaii

Average Road Roughness Score: 134
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 25%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 28%
Total highway spending: $1 billion
Spend per lane mile: $28.87

5. New York

Average Road Roughness Score: 137
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 30%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 34%
Total highway spending: $16.6 billion
Spend per lane mile: $24.84

4. Wisconsin

Average Road Roughness Score: 139
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 28%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 25%
Total highway spending: $7.5 billion
Spend per lane mile: $11.32

3. Nebraska

Average Road Roughness Score: 141
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 33%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 33%
Total highway spending: $3 billion
Spend per lane mile: $5.66

2. Rhode Island

Average Road Roughness Score: 149
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 41%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 27%
Total highway spending: $1.3 billion
Spend per lane mile: $42.37

1. California

Average Road Roughness Score: 160
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 44%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 22%
Total highway spending: $32 billion
Spend per lane mile: $23.16

5 states with the best roads

Every state in the country has bad roads and good roads. The next five states, he said, have the best average road conditions, led by New Hampshire.

5. Minnesota

Average Road Roughness Score: 82
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 4%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 68%
Total Expressway Spend: $8.6
Spend per lane mile: $10.85

4. Florida

Average Road Roughness Score: 79
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 5%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 71%
Total highway spending: $20.4 billion
Spend per lane mile: $29.37

3. Georgia

Average Road Roughness Score: 77
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 5%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 72%
Total highway spending: $8 billion
Spend per lane mile: $10.88

2. Alabama

Average Road Roughness Score: 74
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 5%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 75%
Total highway spending: $4 billion
Spend per lane mile: $6.44

1. New Hampshire

Average Road Roughness Score: 71.9
Percentage of roads in poor condition: 7%
Percentage of roads in good condition: 74%
Total highway spending: $1.1 billion

Who pays for road costs?

This analysis of all 50 states shows that states generally spend in proportion to vehicle miles driven. However, there are exceptions. New York and Pennsylvania both spend more than their vehicle mileage, while California spends less.

Regardless of how much money you spend on road conditions, data suggests that states use the available funds to maintain them.In addition, the analysis found that the most tax favorable states Road quality was pretty good in the US. They are trying to keep the roads in good condition, just like states with high taxes.

Three-fourths of the expenditure on maintaining and repairing roads and highways comes from state and local governments.according to urban instituteThe average state spends about 8% of its budget on roads. The proportion of investments has not changed much over time. 8% of the combined state and local budget was spent on roads and highways in 1977, compared to 6% in 2017. The most dangerous type of road in the United Statesand account for 33% of all traffic fatalities.

Through the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), the federal government provides grants to states to maintain and improve the interstate highway system. Funded by transport-related taxes such as gas and diesel taxes, the HTF spends more than it earns. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the fund hit a $16 billion deficit in 2020. CBO forecast The fund, which has relied on transfers from the general tax fund since 2008, is projected to run dry by 2023.

Why are well-maintained roads important?

Quality roads and highways are vital to the entire U.S. economy. Most consumer goods travel along the country’s highways, and investments in road improvements have historically boosted economic growth. Improved roads reduce maintenance costs and gas bills, thus lowering the cost of delivering goods. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed in late 2021, is expected to spur economic growth as it funds infrastructure projects, including repairing collapsed roads.

For consumers, poor road conditions translate directly into higher vehicle repair and maintenance costs.they may have Finding cheap car insurance is hard because the complaints will increase. State drivers with poor road conditions who do not want to be compensated for damage caused by potholes should purchase. full cover car insurance. Full Coverage Included comprehensive and collision insurance This is a clause that covers damage to your vehicle. Compulsory automobile liability insurance This only covers damages you inflict on others in an accident caused by your own negligence. Adding comprehensive collision insurance can add hundreds of dollars to a driver’s cost each year, Affordable full coverage option And the coverage you get is well worth it.

methodology

MoneyGeek measures urban and suburban road conditions and highways by comparing each state’s urban and suburban highway roughness measurements with state and local (city and county) government spending on highway systems. Decided to rank states on road infrastructure spending. We used the following metrics to establish our final scores and rankings:

– Road Roughness Index: Creates a composite roughness score for all major urban roads in each state by weighting each category of measured pavement roughness and aggregating this information across the state system. bottom.

– Percentage of bad and good conditions: Each category of measured pavement roughness was assigned to a larger group and lane miles were compared statewide by the high and low pavement roughness groups.

Capital Expenditure per Lane Mile: This value is calculated as the state’s total expenditure on highway capital expenditure divided by the total lane miles for each state’s functional road system.

– Total Highway Expenditure: This value is calculated as the state’s total expenditure for both capital expenditures and other highway expenditures.

sauce

Congressional Budget Office. “budget and economic data” Accessed 21 October 2021.

City Research Institute. “highway and road spending’ Accessed 21 September 2022.

US Census. “2020 State and Local Government Finance Historical Datasets and Tables” Accessed 13 September 2022.

US Department of Transportation. “Highway Statistics 2020 – Functional System Length – 2020” Accessed 13 September 2022.

US Department of Transportation. “Highway Statistics 2020 – Annual Vehicle Mileage” Accessed 13 September 2022.

US Department of Transportation. “Highway Statistics 2020 – Functional System Lane Length” Accessed 13 September 2022.

this story originally appeared money geek Independently reviewed to meet journalism standards.