New York Ranked Seventh for Worst Road Quality

A new study indicates that 25 percent of New York road miles currently meet the criteria for poor condition.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Severe Weather

Isometric editorial illustration showing a fractured block of highway asphalt, symbolizing infrastructure degradation in New York state. — A recent study ranks New York seventh nationwide for road quality, with one-quarter of the state's assessed highway miles in poor condition. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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New York has been ranked seventh among all states for the worst road quality in the nation. Researchers determined this status after finding that one-quarter of the 27,200 miles of assessed roadway in the state are in poor condition.

Why it matters

The ranking reflects significant infrastructure challenges that impact daily travel across the state. These metrics provide a standardized look at road surface health relative to other states experiencing similar maintenance issues.

The study utilized the International Roughness Index, defining poor condition as a score of 170 or higher. Researchers evaluated a total of 27,200 miles of roadway across New York to calculate the ranking.

The details

The analysis combined pavement data, social media sentiment, and Google search volumes to assess road surfaces. New Yorkers perform approximately 1,900 Google searches for the term pothole every month, highlighting the frequency of driver concern regarding road quality.

Monthly: New Yorkers conduct approximately 1,900 pothole-related Google searches.

Seasonal Patterns

This state-level road quality assessment follows the established framework of the International Roughness Index. By comparing New York against states like Rhode Island and Hawaii, the study tracks how road degradation trends across varied regional environments.

Drivers encountering hazardous road conditions should report potholes to local transportation authorities to assist in state maintenance tracking. Being aware of these poor road metrics can help motorists exercise greater caution and prepare for potential vehicle wear.

The takeaway

Maintaining awareness of infrastructure data helps residents advocate for necessary local road repairs. Understanding how these measurements work can provide context for the persistent quality issues reported by daily commuters.