Massachusetts Spends Less Per Mile Than Almost Any State. Boston Drivers Pay the Price.

TL;DR

• Massachusetts ranks 9th worst for road quality with 27% of roads in poor condition and a roughness index of 124.2, per MoneyGeek/FHWA data.
• The state spends just $14,916 per lane mile, 49th out of 50 states. Only one state spends less per mile on roads.
• Boston ranks #25 on the Pep Boys worst metros list for road-related vehicle repairs.

Key Numbers at a Glance

Last verified: April 2026

Massachusetts has a spending problem. Not too much spending. Too little.

The state ranks 49th nationally for highway spending intensity at just $14,916 per lane mile. Only one state spends less. And the results are exactly what you would expect: 27% of roads in poor condition, a roughness index of 124.2, and the 9th worst roads in America.

But here is the detail that makes Massachusetts unusual: 41% of urban roads are in poor condition. That is one of the highest urban poor-road rates in the country, and it is where most Massachusetts drivers actually drive.

Boston: Freeze-Thaw Meets Colonial-Era Infrastructure

Boston ranks #25 on the Pep Boys worst metros list. That ranking probably understates the problem because Pep Boys measures repair frequency across its service locations, and Boston's narrow streets, tight turns, and cobblestone sections create damage patterns that do not always show up in alignment and suspension data.

Boston drivers deal with:

• Freeze-thaw cycles comparable to Chicago (November through March)
• Narrow roads designed before cars existed that cannot be easily resurfaced
• Heavy traffic on limited roadway capacity
• Road salt that accelerates corrosion of both roads and vehicles
• Construction from the ongoing modernization of aging infrastructure

The Cost to Drivers

With 41% of urban roads in poor condition and low state spending, Massachusetts drivers bear more of the cost directly through vehicle damage:

• Urban drivers pay up to $750 per year in extra vehicle costs from rough roads nationally
• Massachusetts urban drivers likely exceed that figure given the state's 41% urban poor-road rate
• The 25% tariff on imported tires and parts adds 10%+ to every repair bill

What You Should Do

1. Budget $60 to $80 per month for road-related maintenance if you commute in the Greater Boston area.
2. Get alignment checked twice per year, once after winter and once in fall before winter hits.
3. Watch for seasonal pothole surges in March and April when freeze-thaw damage peaks.
4. Buy tires with road hazard warranties. In Massachusetts, they will likely pay for themselves.
5. Report potholes via MassDOT or your city's reporting system. Boston uses 311.

Part of the "America's Most Expensive Roads" series. Read the national overview for the full state ranking.