More than 55 million potholes may be scattered across the United States, creating an estimated average of approximately 13 pavement defects for every mile of road. Those depressions are costing drivers billions in repairs, contributing to thousands of crashes and placing additional strain on public agencies responsible for maintaining nearly 4 million miles of roadway.
A nationwide analysis from CR Legal Team examined how deteriorating pavement affects drivers, taxpayers and roadway safety. The findings point to a widening gap between the condition of America’s roads and the money available to repair them.
Nearly 40% of major roads are considered to be in poor or mediocre condition. The American Society of Civil Engineers has assigned the nation’s roads a D+ grade, while 174,740 highway miles are classified as being in poor condition.
The Pothole Formation Cycle
Potholes typically develop through a combination of water, temperature fluctuations and traffic pressure.
The process occurs in several stages:
- Water enters an existing crack in the road.
- Falling temperatures cause the water to freeze and expand.
- The expanding ice pushes against the surrounding pavement.
- Warmer temperatures melt the ice and leave a hollow space.
- Passing vehicles place pressure on the weakened surface.
- The pavement collapses and forms a pothole.
- Additional rain and freezing temperatures enlarge the damaged area.
Heavy traffic accelerates the cycle. Trucks and other large vehicles place substantial pressure on already weakened pavement, while periods of heavy rain allow more moisture to enter road cracks.
Pothole-related roadside breakdowns reached a five-year high in July 2022. AAA reported a nearly 20% annual increase in tire-damage callouts during that period.
Drivers Are Absorbing Billions in Repair Costs
Approximately 44 million drivers paid for pothole damage in 2022, up from 28 million the year before. National repair costs are estimated at $26.5 billion annually.
| Pothole cost indicator | Estimated impact |
|---|---|
| Drivers paying for damage in 2022 | 44 million |
| Drivers paying for damage one year earlier | 28 million |
| Increase in affected drivers | 16 million |
| Typical repair cost | $406 to $600 |
| Annual national repair cost | $26.5 billion |
| Tire-related roadside calls | 1.8 million |
| Share of roadside calls involving tire damage | 11% |
A hard strike may cause immediate tire failure, but damage can also remain hidden. Bent wheels, suspension problems and alignment issues may become apparent only after the vehicle begins vibrating or pulling to one side.
The cost can multiply when several components are affected at once. A blown tire may also damage the wheel, suspension or undercarriage.
Heavier Electric Vehicles May Face Greater Tire Damage
Electric vehicles introduce another concern. EVs are generally 20% to 30% heavier than comparable gasoline vehicles because of their battery packs.
Many long-range battery systems weigh between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds. That weight increases the force transferred through the tire and wheel during a pothole impact.
EV tire data examined in the study indicate:
- EVs experience approximately twice as much tire trouble as combustion vehicles.
- EV tires may wear 15% to 30% faster, depending on the model and driving behavior.
- Michelin estimates EV tire wear can be approximately 20% faster.
- Low-profile tires provide less cushioning during deep pothole impacts.
- High vehicle weight increases the risk of wheel and sidewall damage.
The growth of EV ownership could increase the importance of pavement quality, particularly in urban areas where heavier vehicles repeatedly travel over aging streets.
A Pothole Strike Can Become a Crash
Potholes contribute to approximately 1% of roadway accidents. The risk can arise when a vehicle directly loses control or when a driver swerves to avoid the damaged area.
Pothole avoidance may cause drivers to cross lane markings, enter opposing traffic or leave the roadway. Motorists may also brake abruptly, increasing the chance of a rear-end collision.
Evasive maneuvers linked to road debris and roadway hazards are associated with approximately:
- 53,000 crashes each year
- 5,500 injuries
- 72 deaths
Cyclists and motorcyclists face disproportionate risk because their tires are narrower. A pavement gap that a passenger vehicle can cross may catch a bicycle tire or destabilize a motorcycle.
International crash data illustrate the potential severity. Defective road surfaces were linked to 118 cyclists being killed or seriously injured in the United Kingdom between 2017 and 2021, while one in five surveyed motorcyclists reported pothole-related motorcycle damage.
The Worst Deterioration Is Concentrated in Several States
Road quality differs substantially across the country. California, Rhode Island and Massachusetts are among the states with the highest shares of highway mileage in poor condition.
Between 2019 and 2024, Idaho recorded the greatest proportional increase in poorly rated roads.
| State | Five-year increase |
|---|---|
| Idaho | 68.6% |
| Oklahoma | 29.9% |
| California | 28.6% |
| New Mexico | 25.5% |
| Oregon | 25.0% |
| Virginia | 25.0% |
| Arizona | 25.0% |
| Louisiana | 18.4% |
| Florida | 14.3% |
| Mississippi | 14.0% |
| Colorado | 13.7% |
| Washington | 13.3% |
Minnesota, Indiana and South Dakota recorded some of the most significant improvements. Alabama, Georgia, Nevada, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming were also listed among states with comparatively favorable road conditions.
The Northeast continues to face elevated pothole exposure because of severe freeze-thaw cycles. Pothole damage is approximately 60% more common in the Northeast than in Southern and Western states.
Poor Roads Carry an Additional Annual Cost
Even motorists who avoid a major pothole strike still pay for poor roads through increased fuel consumption, tire wear, vehicle depreciation and traffic delays.
The average driver loses approximately $571 per year because of poor road conditions. Costs vary sharply by location.
| Location | Annual cost per motorist |
|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | $1,100 |
| Rhode Island | $845 |
| Wyoming | $295 |
| Oregon | $256 |
| Tennessee | $209 |
Poor roads and congestion together can push the average annual burden above $1,400 per motorist when lost time and broader vehicle operating costs are included.
Infrastructure Funding Still Falls Short
Federal infrastructure programs have committed hundreds of billions of dollars to transportation improvements. More than $591 billion has been set aside since late 2021, while transportation investment under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has been estimated at $454 billion between 2022 and 2026.
Even with that spending, the country faces an estimated $684 billion roadway funding gap over the next decade.
Most states cannot fully fund highway maintenance through transportation-specific revenue. Fuel taxes, registration fees and tolls are sufficient to cover highway spending only in Maryland and New Jersey, according to the study. Other states must rely on general tax revenue.
Rural communities face an added challenge. Only 19% of Americans live in rural areas, but those areas account for 47% of roadway fatalities. Aging roads, longer emergency response times and limited repair budgets may deepen the danger.
New detection technology could help cities locate pavement hazards sooner. Partnerships involving connected vehicles and navigation platforms may allow local agencies to identify potholes automatically, prioritize the most dangerous locations and intervene before small cracks become major failures.
For now, however, the national pothole problem remains a costly cycle. Governments pay to repair roads, taxpayers cover funding shortfalls and drivers absorb billions of dollars in damage while waiting for permanent improvements.
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