10 States With the Worst Highways in America
Thanks to robust economic growth, Texas is one of the top 10 U.S. states for growth in total vehicle miles driven, which have increased 24 percent since 2000. TRIP projects that vehicle travel in the state will continue to grow, increasing another 25 percent in the next 15 years. The Lone Star State ranks among the worst in the country for traffic fatalities.
*Ranking based on 2016 data from TRIP, a national transportation research group.
© Reuters / STR New
Highways in Massachusetts are the sixth most congested in the country, with 62 percent of urban interstates experiencing congestion during rush hour. Six percent of bridges in Massachusetts are considered structurally deficient. A 2014 report by TRIP found that congestion delays, traffic crashes and other issues cost Boston drivers an average of $1,913 a year.
Wikimedia / Anthony Citrano
Nevada has the third highest rate of interstate pavements in poor or mediocre condition, with 28 percent of highways meeting that description. Part of the reason for the deterioration is increased use. Vehicle travel on Nevada’s roads increased 43 percent from 2000 to 2014, the second highest rate of growth in the country.
© Flickr / Doug Kerr
More than 60 percent of Delaware’s roads are congested during rush hour, ranking fourth worst in America. The state also ranks poorly when it comes to the condition of its highways, with 24 percent of its interstates in poor or mediocre condition. Driving on roads in need of repair costs Delaware drivers an average $355 each in extra repair and operating costs.
© Flickr / Mike Mahaffie
Nearly three-quarters of New Jersey’s urban interstates are congested during rush hour, the third-highest rate in the nation. The state also has the ninth-highest rate of travel density in the U.S., with more than 14,000 vehicles per lane mile each day. Traffic on New Jersey interstates increased 21 percent since 2000, the 10th highest-rate of growth in the country.
© Flickr / Bill Benzon
Interstates in Connecticut are have the third highest rate of vehicle travel per lane mile, and have the eight-worst traffic in the country, with 60 percent of urban interstates congested during rush hour. With seven percent of its bridges classified as structurally deficient, the state ranks fifth worst on that measure. Fourteen percent of its interstate pavements are in poor or mediocre condition.
Wikimedia
Traffic moves slowly on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles, California July 14, 2011. "Carmageddon" is the name Los Angeles residents are giving the likely epic traffic tie-up that will result when a 10-mile (16-km) stretch of the 405 Freeway is closed for construction, including the demolition of the bridge, from Friday night to Monday morning between two of the nation's busiest interchanges. REUTERS/Eric Thayer (UNITED STATES - Tags: TRANSPORT) - RTR2OW6D
© Reuters / Eric Thayer
Traffic on Louisiana’s interstates increased 43 percent from 2000 to 2014, the fastest rate in the nation. The heavier use has led to increased deterioration, according to TRIP. More than a quarter of roads in the Pelican State are in poor or mediocre condition, the fourth highest rate in the nation.
© Reuters
Hawaii’s urban interstates are among the busiest in the country, and they’re also among those with the most traffic. Sixty percent of urban highways in the Aloha state are congested during rush hour. Hawaii’s interstates rank worst in the country for pavement condition, with 57 percent in poor or mediocre conditions.
Flickr / kanuck
A big part of the reason that the roads in Colorado are deteriorating is increased use. The state is among the top 10 seeing the greatest increase in vehicle miles driven from 2000 to 2014. More than 20 percent of Colorado’s interstate highways have pavement in poor or mediocre condition, making the state the sixth-worst in the country by that measure.
© Flickr / Doug Kerr