Road conditions across the U.S.
Living in a city with well-maintained roads comes with a number of benefits, including lower vehicle costs, decreased accidents, and improved mobility.[1] But not all locales place the same level of care into their roadways, particularly in relation to the ongoing wear and tear from everyday drivers.
Where can you find better road conditions in the U.S. and the worst? We analyzed three sets of data to find the American cities with the best-maintained streets:
- Average congestion level: This percentage reveals the average amount of extra time spent in traffic due to congestion. A higher congestion level indicates more wear and tear on roads.
- Additional car maintenance costs:
- Road quality: This score rates each state based on rural and urban road conditions, as well as traffic fatalities.
Check out the best cities for well-maintained roads, plus the ones that ranked at the bottom of our list.
The 10 U.S. Cities with the Worst Maintained Roads
Drivers beware: here are the 10 cities with the worst quality roads in the U.S. (based on the same criteria as the above).
- Los Angeles and San Francisco, California (tied)
- San Jose, California
- Riverside, California
- New York, New York
- Miami, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Chicago, Illinois
- Charlotte, North Carolina
Damaged Caused by Bad Roads: Is It Covered?
Road conditions play a major role in vehicle safety and long-term performance. Potholes, uneven pavement, and poorly maintained streets can cause anything from minor tire damage to serious accidents. But when rough roads damage your car, what will your auto insurance actually cover?
Does Car Insurance Cover Wear and Tear From Bad Roads?
No. Standard car insurance does not cover wear and tear, even if poorly maintained roads cause the damage.
Wear and tear includes things like:
- Gradual suspension damage
- Tire wear
- Alignment issues
- Slow-developing cosmetic damage
Insurance is designed for sudden, unexpected events—not deterioration over time. If the damage happened slowly, insurers classify it as maintenance-related, meaning you’re responsible for the repairs.
What About Accidents Caused by Potholes?
This is where the rules change. If you hit a pothole and it causes sudden damage, insurance may help—depending on your coverage.
Collision Coverage
This is the primary coverage for pothole-related accidents. Collision insurance pays for damages when your car hits an object—including a pothole.
If a rock flies up from a pothole and cracks your windshield, it may cover: Bent rims, blown tires, broken suspension, body damage, and underbody damage.
You will still owe your collision deductible, and filing a claim may affect your premium.
Comprehensive Coverage
If you have comprehensive coverage, this might also be relevant for road hazards created by bad roads. This only applies if the damage wasn’t from hitting the pothole directly—for example, if a rock flies up from a pothole and cracks your windshield or a loose road object hits your vehicle.
Can You Get Reimbursed by the City or State?
In some regions, drivers can file a claim with the city, county, or state responsible for road maintenance. Success varies—many municipalities deny pothole claims unless you can prove the government knew about the pothole and failed to fix it within a reasonable timeline.
Because this is difficult to prove, insurance is definitely a better option for peace of mind if you live in an area with poorly maintained roads.
The quality of the roads can vary widely based on where you live. Maintaining proper coverage—and keeping an eye out for rough roads—can help minimize the hassle and cost of damage from badly maintained roads.
Methodology
The Zebra used three data points to analyze the top 50 MSAs by population related to road quality.