America’s Pothole Problem Is Becoming a Multibillion-Dollar Safety and Infrastructure Crisis
A pothole may appear to be a minor road defect, but the national cost tells a different story.
A study by CR Legal Team found that deteriorating roads are forcing American drivers to absorb billions of dollars in repair bills, higher operating expenses and lost time each year. The problem also extends into crash risk, public spending, rural road safety and the growing maintenance demands created by heavier electric vehicles.
Across nearly 4 million miles of U.S. roadway, estimates suggest there are more than 55 million potholes, or roughly 13 for every mile of road. Nearly 40% of major roads remain in poor or mediocre condition, while approximately 174,740 miles of highway are classified as poor.
The consequences are visible at both the household and government level. Drivers pay an estimated $26.5 billion annually for pothole-related repairs, while states face a projected road funding gap of approximately $684 billion over the next decade.
Key Findings
- More than 55 million potholes may exist across U.S. roads.
- The country averages approximately 13 potholes per road mile.
- Nearly 40% of major roads are in poor or mediocre condition.
- About 174,740 highway miles are classified as poor.
- Pothole repairs cost drivers an estimated $26.5 billion per year.
- Approximately 44 million drivers paid for pothole damage in 2022.
- A typical pothole repair costs between $406 and $600.
- Poor road conditions cost the average driver approximately $571 annually.
- Washington, D.C., drivers face the highest annual cost at about $1,100.
- Rhode Island follows at $845 per driver.
- Evasive maneuvers tied to road hazards contribute to an estimated 53,000 crashes annually.
- The national roadway funding gap is projected at approximately $684 billion.
Potholes Are Producing a Growing Repair Burden
The number of motorists paying for pothole-related damage has increased sharply.
Approximately 28 million drivers reported paying for repairs in one year. By 2022, that figure had risen to 44 million.
| Measure | Total |
|---|---|
| Drivers paying for pothole damage in earlier year | 28 million |
| Drivers paying in 2022 | 44 million |
| Increase | 16 million |
| Estimated annual national repair cost | $26.5 billion |
The jump from 28 million to 44 million represents an increase of more than 57%.
A separate survey also found a 57% year-over-year rise in drivers experiencing pothole damage serious enough to require repairs.
The average repair bill ranges from $406 to $600, but the cost can rise considerably when more than one vehicle system is affected.
Common forms of damage include:
- Tire blowouts
- Bent or cracked wheels
- Suspension damage
- Steering problems
- Wheel alignment issues
- Undercarriage damage
A single pothole can damage multiple vehicles in a short period. In April 2026, a pothole on Interstate 40 near Nashville reportedly damaged more than 20 vehicles within several hours. Some motorists faced repair bills approaching $1,000.
Drivers Can Pay for Pothole Damage More Than Once
Pothole damage is not always a one-time expense.
Some motorists experience damage up to three times within five years. Repeated exposure can produce cumulative costs through tires, wheels, suspension components and alignments.
Drivers ages 35 to 44 appear to be particularly affected. About 31% in that age group reported paying for pothole-related repairs.
AAA also recorded approximately 1.8 million roadside assistance calls involving damaged tires during one winter and spring season. Tire damage represented roughly 11% of all calls.
The financial consequences are especially difficult for households with limited savings. A repair bill of $500 can become a major unexpected expense when it involves a vehicle needed for work, school or family transportation.
Poor Roads Cost More Than the Repair Bill
Potholes contribute to expenses even when they do not cause immediate mechanical damage.
Poor road conditions increase:
- Fuel consumption
- Tire wear
- Suspension wear
- Travel time
- Congestion delays
- Maintenance frequency
The average driver pays an estimated $571 annually because of poor road conditions.
Annual cost per driver
| Location | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $1,100 |
| Rhode Island | $845 |
| National average | $571 |
| Wyoming | $295 |
| Oregon | $256 |
| Tennessee | $209 |
Washington, D.C., drivers face annual costs approximately 426% higher than Tennessee drivers.
The difference is substantial over time. At current levels, a Washington, D.C., motorist would pay about $5,500 over five years, compared with approximately $1,045 in Tennessee.
Some national estimates place total annual costs even higher when congestion, lost productivity and added vehicle operating expenses are included. Under those broader calculations, deteriorated and congested roads cost the average motorist more than $1,400 per year.
The United States Has Tens of Thousands of Miles of Poor Highway
Approximately 174,740 miles of U.S. highway are classified as poor.
That works out to an average of roughly 3,426 poor-condition highway miles per state.
The scale of the problem varies significantly by location. California and several Northeastern states report some of the highest shares of roads in poor condition, while states in the South and Mountain West tend to perform better.
States identified as having some of the best road conditions include:
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Nevada
- Kansas
- North Dakota
- South Dakota
- Wyoming
Texas, however, had the largest number of highway miles in poor condition, with approximately 19,400 miles requiring repair.
| Texas Road Measure | Total |
|---|---|
| Highway miles needing repair | 19,400 |
| Federal highway aid | $26.9 billion |
| Average federal aid per state | $5.4 billion |
Texas received nearly five times the average state allocation for federal highway programs.
Idaho Recorded the Fastest Road Deterioration
Between 2019 and 2024, Idaho experienced the largest increase in road miles classified as poor.
| Rank | State | Increase in Poor-Condition Roads |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 68.6% |
| 2 | Oklahoma | 29.9% |
| 3 | California | 28.6% |
| 4 | New Mexico | 25.5% |
| 5 | Oregon | 25.0% |
| 6 | Virginia | 25.0% |
| 7 | Arizona | 25.0% |
| 8 | Louisiana | 18.4% |
| 9 | Florida | 14.3% |
| 10 | Mississippi | 14.0% |
| 11 | Colorado | 13.7% |
| 12 | Washington | 13.3% |
Idaho’s increase was more than twice Oklahoma’s and more than 40 percentage points higher than California’s.
Minnesota, Indiana and South Dakota recorded some of the strongest improvements during the same period.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles Drive Regional Damage
Potholes form when water enters small pavement cracks and freezes.
As the water expands, it pushes against the surrounding pavement. When temperatures rise, the ice melts and leaves weakened areas beneath the road surface. Repeated cycles eventually cause the pavement to collapse under traffic.
That process is especially common in the Northeast.
Regional findings include:
- Pothole damage is 60% more common in the Northeast than in the South and West.
- 64% of U.S. drivers report concern about potholes.
- Concern rises to 74% among Northeast drivers.
- Tire repair rates are significantly higher in colder regions.
Heavy rainfall can also accelerate road deterioration, particularly when it is followed by abrupt temperature changes.
Swerving to Avoid a Pothole Can Cause a More Serious Crash
Potholes are involved in approximately 1% of all road accidents.
The percentage appears small, but it still amounts to thousands of crashes.
Drivers face two immediate choices when encountering a pothole: strike it or swerve around it. Either response can create risk.
A direct impact may cause:
- Tire failure
- Wheel damage
- Loss of steering control
- Suspension failure
An evasive maneuver may cause:
- A sideswipe collision
- Lane departure
- A rollover
- A collision with oncoming traffic
- A crash into a guardrail or roadside object
Road debris and related evasive maneuvers contribute to an estimated:
| Outcome | Annual Total |
|---|---|
| Crashes | 53,000 |
| Injuries | 5,500 |
| Deaths | 72 |
Sudden steering becomes more dangerous at high speed. Approximately 40% of fatal rollover crashes involve excessive speed, while abrupt swerving is a leading rollover trigger on roads with limits of 55 mph or higher.
Poor Roads May Intensify Aggressive Driving
Damaged pavement can also influence driver behavior.
Motorists navigating repeated potholes, construction delays and congested repair zones may become frustrated and more likely to drive aggressively.
Reported aggressive behaviors include:
- Tailgating
- Sudden lane changes
- Cutting off other vehicles
- Excessive horn use
- Road rage confrontations
Aggressive driving is involved in approximately 54% of fatal crashes.
| Driver Behavior Measure | Finding |
|---|---|
| Drivers admitting aggressive behavior | 92% |
| Increase in cutting off vehicles since 2016 | 67% |
| Increase in angry honking | 47% |
| Increase in aggressive driving incidents, 2015 to 2024 | 30% |
| Fatal road rage shooting deaths in a recent year | 141 |
Louisiana ranked highest for road rage, followed by New Mexico and Montana.
Electric Vehicles Face Greater Tire and Wheel Exposure
Electric vehicles may face higher pothole-related risks because of their added weight.
An EV is typically 20% to 30% heavier than a similar gasoline-powered vehicle. Long-range battery packs may weigh between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds.
That additional mass increases the force of a pothole impact.
EV-related findings include:
- EVs experience roughly twice as much tire trouble as combustion vehicles.
- EV tires may wear 15% to 30% faster.
- Some manufacturers estimate tire wear is approximately 20% higher.
- Low-profile tires increase exposure to wheel and sidewall damage.
As more EVs enter the national vehicle fleet, poor pavement may create higher maintenance costs for owners and greater demand for tire replacement.
Cyclists and Motorcyclists Face More Severe Consequences
Potholes are particularly dangerous for people on two wheels.
A bicycle or motorcycle tire can become trapped in a crack or deflected by an uneven road surface. Riders have less protection and a smaller margin for error than drivers in passenger vehicles.
International data cited in the study found:
- 118 cyclists were killed or seriously injured because of defective road surfaces between 2017 and 2021.
- One in five motorcyclists reported damage after striking a pothole.
Although those figures are not U.S.-specific, they demonstrate how even relatively small road defects can produce severe outcomes for riders.
Infrastructure Spending Has Not Closed the Gap
Federal infrastructure programs have committed hundreds of billions of dollars to transportation.
| Funding Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Infrastructure funding since late 2021 | More than $591 billion |
| Transportation funding, 2022 to 2026 | Approximately $454 billion |
| Estimated road funding gap over the next decade | $684 billion |
Despite major federal spending, the projected shortfall remains larger than the transportation funding allocated between 2022 and 2026.
Only Maryland and New Jersey reportedly generate enough from fuel taxes, tolls and vehicle fees to cover highway spending. Other states rely on general tax revenue to make up the difference.
Cities are also directing substantial resources toward local repairs. Oklahoma City fills up to 90,000 potholes each year. Tacoma launched an initiative focused on repairing or preventing approximately 9,000. San Diego spent about $1.3 million repairing more than 30,000 potholes in a single year.
The CR Legal Team findings show that potholes are not simply a seasonal nuisance. They function as a recurring cost imposed on drivers, taxpayers and transportation agencies. With tens of millions of potholes, nearly 175,000 miles of poor highway and a $684 billion funding gap, the financial and safety burden is likely to remain long after individual potholes are filled.
