Potholes Cost U.S. Drivers Billions as Poor Roads Add Hundreds of Dollars to Annual Vehicle Expenses

Potholes are often treated as a seasonal inconvenience, but the financial and safety consequences extend far beyond a rough commute.

A study by CR Legal Team found that deteriorating roads are contributing to billions of dollars in vehicle repairs, higher operating costs, traffic delays and public infrastructure expenses across the United States. The research examined pothole-related vehicle damage, roadway condition data, repair costs, driver complaints, infrastructure funding and the states where poor pavement imposes the greatest financial burden.

The findings show that nearly 40% of major U.S. roads are considered to be in poor or mediocre condition, while approximately 174,740 miles of highway are classified as poor. With an estimated 55 million potholes spread across nearly 4 million miles of road, the country may have roughly 13 potholes for every mile of roadway.

For drivers, the result is a recurring and expensive cycle. Potholes damage tires, wheels, steering systems and suspension components. Poor roads also increase fuel consumption, lengthen travel times and contribute to crashes when drivers lose control or swerve unexpectedly.

Key Findings

• Pothole-related repairs cost U.S. drivers an estimated $26.5 billion annually.
• About 44 million drivers paid for pothole damage in 2022.
• The number of affected drivers increased from 28 million the previous year.
• AAA estimates that a typical pothole repair costs between $406 and $600.
• Poor road conditions cost the average driver approximately $571 per year.
• Washington, D.C., drivers face the highest annual cost at about $1,100.
• Rhode Island follows at $845 per driver.
• Tennessee records one of the lowest annual costs at $209.
• Nearly 40% of major roads are rated poor or mediocre.
• The United States has an estimated 55 million potholes.
• There are approximately 174,740 miles of highway in poor condition.
• Evasive maneuvers related to road hazards contribute to an estimated 53,000 crashes annually.

Drivers Are Paying Billions for Pothole Damage

Pothole damage has become a recurring household expense.

AAA survey data found that approximately 44 million U.S. drivers paid for pothole-related repairs in 2022, up from 28 million the previous year. That represents an increase of more than 57% in the number of affected motorists.

Nationally, annual pothole-related repair costs are estimated at $26.5 billion.

Common repairs include:

• Tire replacement
• Bent or cracked wheel repair
• Suspension repair
• Steering system repair
• Wheel alignment
• Undercarriage repair

AAA estimates that the average repair bill ranges from $406 to $600 per incident. Some motorists experience repeated damage, with reports showing drivers may encounter pothole-related repairs as many as three times within five years.

The financial burden is not distributed evenly by age. Drivers between ages 35 and 44 appear to be the most affected, with 31% reporting that they have paid for pothole-related repairs.

Poor Roads Create Additional Annual Costs

Vehicle repairs represent only one part of the expense.

Poor pavement also causes added fuel use, vehicle wear, slower travel and traffic delays. Combined, these factors cost the average U.S. driver approximately $571 per year.

The difference between Washington, D.C., and Tennessee is $891 per driver per year. A driver in the district therefore faces costs more than five times higher than a driver in Tennessee.

Some broader estimates place the cost of deteriorated and congested roads even higher. Added vehicle expenses and lost time may cost the average motorist more than $1,400 annually when congestion and other roadway deficiencies are included.

America’s Roads Remain in Poor Condition

The American Society of Civil Engineers assigned U.S. roads a D+ grade, while nearly 40% of major roads remain in poor or mediocre condition.

The national roadway network stretches nearly 4 million miles. Estimates suggest it contains more than 55 million potholes, equal to approximately 13 for every mile of road.

Road quality varies sharply by state. California and several Northeastern states report some of the largest shares of highway miles in poor condition. Southern and Mountain West states generally report lower percentages, although road quality differs considerably within each region.

States identified as having some of the better road conditions include:

• Alabama
• Georgia
• Nevada
• Kansas
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Wyoming

Texas had approximately 19,400 miles of highway in need of repair, the largest total cited in the study. That total helped make Texas the largest recipient of federal highway aid, with approximately $26.9 billion allocated compared with an average of $5.4 billion per state.

Road Conditions Are Worsening Fastest in Idaho

Between 2019 and 2024, several states recorded large percentage increases in highway miles classified as poor.

Idaho’s increase was more than double Oklahoma’s and nearly two and a half times California’s.

Colorado and Washington also recorded increases above 13%, while Minnesota, Indiana and South Dakota showed some of the strongest improvements.

Potholes Can Trigger Crashes

Pothole incidents account for approximately 1% of all road crashes. Although that proportion appears small, it still represents thousands of collisions each year.

A pothole impact can cause:

• Tire blowouts
• Wheel failure
• Suspension damage
• Steering problems
• Sudden loss of control

The safety risk often increases when drivers attempt to avoid a pothole rather than strike it.

Evasive maneuvers associated with road debris and surface hazards contribute to an estimated:

Sudden swerving can force a driver into another lane, toward oncoming traffic or off the road. It may also trigger rollover crashes, particularly at higher speeds.

Approximately 40% of fatal rollover crashes involve excessive speed, while sudden steering remains a major rollover trigger on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or more.

Potholes Add to Driver Frustration and Aggressive Behavior

Poor roads can also affect driver behavior.

Drivers navigating damaged pavement may brake suddenly, change lanes aggressively or follow other vehicles too closely. These behaviors become more dangerous when combined with congestion and repair-related delays.

Aggressive driving is involved in approximately 54% of fatal crashes.

Recent behavior data shows:

• 92% of U.S. drivers admit to some form of aggressive driving.
• Cutting off other vehicles has increased 67% since 2016.
• Angry honking has increased 47%.
• Aggressive driving incidents rose 30% from 2015 to 2024.
• Fatal road rage shootings doubled, reaching 141 deaths in a recent year.

Louisiana ranked as the worst state for road rage, followed by New Mexico and Montana. Each also appears near the higher-risk end of some road-condition measures.

Electric Vehicles Face Added Pothole Risks

Electric vehicles may be especially vulnerable to pothole damage because of their additional weight.

Many EVs are 20% to 30% heavier than comparable gasoline-powered vehicles. Long-range battery packs can weigh between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds.

Roadside assistance data indicates that EVs experience roughly twice as much tire trouble as combustion vehicles. EV tires also wear 15% to 30% faster depending on vehicle type and driving style, with some tire manufacturers estimating average wear approximately 20% higher.

Low-profile tires and heavier battery packs can increase the force transferred to wheels, tires and suspension systems during a pothole impact.

Cyclists and Motorcyclists Face Greater Physical Danger

Potholes create more severe consequences for riders on two wheels.

Bicycle and motorcycle tires can become trapped in pavement gaps or lose stability when striking uneven surfaces. Even a small road defect can cause a rider to fall or lose control.

International figures cited in the study found that 118 cyclists were killed or seriously injured because of defective road surfaces between 2017 and 2021. One in five motorcyclists also reported damage after striking a pothole.

While those figures are not U.S.-specific, they illustrate why road defects present a disproportionate hazard to riders.

Infrastructure Spending Has Not Closed the Funding Gap

Federal infrastructure programs have directed substantial funding toward road improvements.

Since late 2021, more than $591 billion has been set aside for transportation systems, while the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act directed approximately $454 billion to transportation projects between 2022 and 2026.

Despite that spending, the estimated roadway funding gap remains approximately $684 billion over the next decade.

Only Maryland and New Jersey reportedly generate enough revenue through fuel taxes, tolls and vehicle fees to cover highway spending. Other states depend on general tax revenue to make up the difference.

The research by CR Legal Team shows that potholes are not simply a maintenance issue. They create direct costs for drivers, contribute to crashes, strain state budgets and worsen vehicle wear. Until the national repair gap narrows, motorists will continue paying twice: once through taxes for road maintenance and again through repair bills caused by roads that remain in poor condition.