SBF 70 years logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Report Ranks Best, Worst, Safest, and Most Expensive State Highway Systems

The Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report finds that North Dakota and Kansas have the nation’s most cost-effective highway systems, while New Jersey and Rhode Island have the worst.

February 13, 2018
Report Ranks Best, Worst, Safest, and Most Expensive State Highway Systems

The Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report ranks the performance of state highway systems in 11 categories, including spending per mile and traffic congestion. Photo by Barry Johnson

2 min to read


The Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report ranks the performance of state highway systems in 11 categories, including spending per mile and traffic congestion. Photo by Barry Johnson

The nation’s top-performing, most cost-effective highways can be found in North Dakota, Kansas, South Dakota, Nebraska, and South Carolina, according to a new study.

The 23rd edition of the Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report, released on Thursday, ranks the performance of state highway systems in 11 categories, including pavement condition, deficient bridges, traffic congestion, fatality rates, spending per mile of state-controlled highway, and system administrative costs.

Ad Loading...

According to the Reason Foundation, the significant differences between state highway systems were illustrated by the huge disparity in spending per mile. West Virginia spent the least — $35,047 per mile of state-controlled highway — while New Jersey spent the most — $2,069,020 per mile of state-controlled highway.

Overall, New Jersey ranked last, 50th, in the nation in performance and cost-effectiveness — reportedly due in part to having the nation’s worst urban traffic congestion — while also spending the most money per mile. Rhode Island, Alaska, Hawaii, and Connecticut joined New Jersey in the bottom five of the overall rankings.

In some of the individual categories, Massachusetts’ highways had the country’s lowest fatality rate, while South Carolina’s had the highest. Wyoming’s highways had the least traffic congestion, whereas drivers in New Jersey and California experienced the worst traffic jams. Alaska had the bumpiest urban interstate pavement condition, and Delaware had the smoothest.

This edition of the Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report is based on spending and performance data that state highway agencies submitted to the federal government for the year 2015, the most recent year with complete data available.

The overall cost-effectiveness rankings are below. Detailed information about each state’s results, as well as each of the categories, is available here.

Ad Loading...

State Highways: Overall Performance and Cost-Effectiveness Rankings

1. North Dakota
2. Kansas
3. South Dakota
4. Nebraska
5. South Carolina
6. Montana
7. Idaho
8. Wyoming
9. Missouri
10. Utah
11. Mississippi
12. Tennessee
13. Kentucky
14. North Carolina
15. Iowa
16. Arizona
17. Alabama
18. Georgia
19. Delaware
20. Nevada
21. Oregon
22. Texas
23. Maine
24. New Mexico
25. Minnesota
26. Ohio
27. Virginia
28. Illinois
29. Arkansas
30. New Hampshire
31. Colorado
32. Michigan
33. Oklahoma
34. Indiana
35. Florida
36. West Virginia
37. Louisiana
38. Wisconsin
39. Vermont
40. Maryland
41. Pennsylvania
42. California
43. Washington
44. Massachusetts
45. New York
46. Connecticut
47. Hawaii
48. Alaska
49. Rhode Island
50. New Jersey

More Management

Two school buses parked in front of the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 28, 2026

Key Moments from the 2026 NSTA Annual Meeting in the Mile High City

From federal policy updates and OEM presentations to speed networking and industry awards, see photos and highlights from the contractor association’s summer conference in Denver.

Read More →
A HopSkipDrive caregiver waits by an open car door in front of a house.
Managementby Elora HaynesJuly 27, 2026

HopSkipDrive Launches Spanish-Language App Update, Plans Additional Language Support

The update aims to improve communication with multilingual families by offering ride tracking, notifications, and support in Spanish, with more languages planned for the 2026-2027 school year.

Read More →
A yellow school bus is parked outside a school beneath a large oak tree with blooming white blossoms, framed by white buildings and a bright blue spring sky.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 27, 2026

Where the Yellow Bus Takes Us: School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year Winners

See the winning photos from School Bus Fleet's 2026 Photo of the Year contest, featuring stunning school bus images from across the U.S., from scenic landscapes to everyday moments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Zonar Back to School Readiness Report for 2026
SponsoredJuly 23, 2026

2026 Back-To-School Readiness Report

Staffing gaps, flat budgets, and the distance between “mostly prepared” and ready for the 2026-2027 school year.

Read More →
Collage highlighting recipients of the 2026 National School Transportation Association awards at the Annual Meeting and Convention in Denver
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 23, 2026

National School Transportation Association Presents 2026 Award Winners

Twenty-one individuals and contractor companies were recognized for excellence in student transportation at NSTA's annual meeting and convention in Denver.

Read More →
A South Carolina Public Schools school bus lineup with text reading "How To Make Routing Data Persuasive."
Managementby Elora HaynesJuly 21, 2026

School Transportation Data Is Only as Powerful as the Story It Tells

Leaders say turning operational metrics into student-centered narratives can help districts justify investments and improve service.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Collage highlighting NYAPT's 50th anniversary conference, featuring awards presentations, NYAPT President Marc Medina speaking, packed educational sessions, and the event's "Back to the Future" theme celebrating 50 years of pupil transportation leadership.
Managementby StaffJuly 20, 2026

Photos: NYAPT Celebrates 50 Years at 2026 Conference & Trade Show

See highlights from NYAPT's 50th anniversary conference in Saratoga Springs, featuring educational sessions, awards, a trade show, networking, and more.

Read More →
Graphic for a School Bus Fleet news story showing a school bus, two students walking toward it, and the headline, "Ohio Considers Ending Transportation Payments," referring to proposed changes to student transportation policy.
Managementby Amanda HuggettJuly 19, 2026

Ohio Transportation Workgroup Calls for End to 'Impractical to Transport' Payments

A final report from Ohio's Pupil Transportation Workgroup proposes ending "impractical to transport" payments and expanding transportation options through regional partnerships, but not all industry pros agree on the approach.

Read More →
A close up of a school bus stop arm with a graphic overlay. Text reads "California Districts Adopt Routing Platform."
Managementby Staff and News ReportsJuly 15, 2026

Transfinder Expands California Footprint with Multiple School District Wins

Six California school districts selected the company's routing platform and related transportation technology as Transfinder continues expanding its presence across the state.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Promotional thumbnail for The Route podcast featuring School Bus Fleet Editor Amanda Huggett and NSTA Executive Director Curt Macysyn
ManagementJuly 15, 2026

NSTA's Curt Macysyn on Student Transportation History and What's Next

Hear from NSTA's executive director as we discuss student transportation's role in American history, federal regulation, driver recruitment, illegal passing, AI, and what might be next, in this Route interview.

Read More →