Consumer Affairs’ 2024 edition of “The worst roads in America” features a big Minnesota brag that, for many residents, may induce a mixture of pride and a bit of astonishment.
The consumer news platform ranks Minnesota’s roads as best in the nation, describing them as “the smoothest” and “safest,” according to data from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration.
“An especially admirable achievement since Minnesota’s cold temperatures, significant snowfall and proximity to the Great Lakes create a hazardous set of conditions that can be tough on roads and drivers,” writes author Kaz Weida.
This is definitely astonishing to me living in the Twin Cities. Though I will say with this winter being the mildest winter practically ever, that when I submitted a pothole repair request in the MPLS 311 app it was fixed less than 24 hours later. City road patchers haven’t had much to fix so far this year I guess!
Honestly, it’s probably because our roads need to be resurfaced so frequently that we have decent roads. Whenever I travel down south I see roads that clearly haven’t been redone since before Y2K. You can’t get away with letting roads sit that long in MN or they will basically turn to gravel.
And Lake Chipotle has been drained.
Me: is dark blue good or bad? Looks at my home state of CA ok so dark is bad.
Rhode Island rightfully earned #1 worst roads in America. I’ve hit potholes so goddamn big I was expecting a blown tire and my shock to pop through my hood.
Funny enough, when I drove up to RI last time through CT, as soon as we hit the border there was a loud bang as we hit the shit roads then the GPS said “Welcome to Rhode Island.” I think it knew.
My only experience with Minnesota is memes, and a buddy who moved to northern Minnesota where he got a metric shitload of snow for many years.
And my only experience with winter and roads is in Ohio and Michigan, where plows routinely rip up asphalt in chunks the size of dinner plates.
Therefore I conclude Minnesota has the best roads because they’re constaly replacing them!
Not surprised to see CA and LA at the top. Always baffled by the first, though, since there’s oodles of money in the state.
One of the most amusing parts of traveling between Washington and Montana is the stretch of North Idaho. Some of the roads it is like you’re going along just fine, then suddenly it is mad max road quality, then back to fine.
Edit: Looks like this is contrary to what the chart is showing? Idk man Idaho has some real garbage. Like Seattle and Spokane definitely struggle with roads but as far as coverage across the entire state Washington is a lot better developed and maintained
Alabama and Georgia being in the top ten either invalidates the whole list or is an extreme indictment of the state of the rest of the country
Whoever did this study must have been born on the dark side of the moon
