New York's roads and bridges are among the nation's worst

New York’s roads and bridges rank among the worst in the nation, according to a study by LendingTree using Federal Highway Administration data and the World Bank’s International Roughness Index. The state placed eighth nationwide for poor road conditions, with 1,705 miles (15.8%) of evaluated roads rated as deteriorating, compared to the national average of 8.9%. Rhode Island, California, and Massachusetts had the highest percentages of poor roads at 31.5%, 27%, and 24.5%, respectively. New York also ranked second for bridge deterioration, with 12.3% of its bridge area—1.65 million square feet—classified as poor, trailing only West Virginia at 12.9%. Rhode Island followed at 12%. Between 2020 and 2025, New York’s bridge conditions worsened by 28.1%, despite slight nationwide improvements, where poor bridge area dropped from 5.2% to 4.9%. Utah and Maine also saw significant increases in deterioration, at 200% and 26%, respectively. The study highlights aging infrastructure as a key factor, with experts noting that older roads and bridges may lack modern safety features or capacity. Funding challenges further delay repairs, as federal aid often requires matching local funds, leaving many municipalities struggling to allocate resources. Nationally, road conditions improved marginally, with poor road mileage decreasing from 9.2% in 2019 to 8.9% in 2024. However, New York’s rankings underscore persistent infrastructure gaps, particularly in bridges, where deterioration outpaced the national trend. LendingTree recommends drivers maintain collision and comprehensive insurance to protect vehicles from pothole damage, document incidents with photos, and report hazards to local authorities. Such documentation may aid insurance claims or reimbursement requests for maintenance-related damages.