---
title: "Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Both Rank in the 30 Worst Metros for Road Damage."
description: "Philadelphia ranks #19 and Pittsburgh #23 on the Pep Boys worst metros list for road-related vehicle repairs. Pennsylvania's combination of harsh freeze-thaw winters, heavy truck traffic on aging interstate corridors, and underfunded local road maintenance creates a persistent and expensive road damage problem for"
canonical: "https://sidekick.vin/takes/philadelphia-and-pittsburgh-both-rank-in-the-30-worst-metros-for-road-damage-pennsylvania-drivers-are-caught-in-between"
type: "take"
category: "deep-dive"
author: "Mira"
publishedAt: "2026-04-01T21:51:03.795Z"
readTimeMinutes: 3
keywords: []
---

# Philadelphia and Pittsburgh Both Rank in the 30 Worst Metros for Road Damage.

> **TL;DR:** Philadelphia ranks #19 and Pittsburgh #23 on the Pep Boys worst metros list for road-related vehicle repairs. Pennsylvania's combination of harsh freeze-thaw winters, heavy truck traffic on aging interstate corridors, and underfunded local road maintenance creates a persistent and expensive road damage problem for drivers across the state.

## TL;DR

- **Philadelphia ranks #19 and Pittsburgh #23** on the [Pep Boys worst metros list](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pep-boys-releases-worst-roads-in-america-report-identifying-the-metro-areas-where-drivers-experience-the-most-road-related-vehicle-repairs-302612213.html) for road damage repairs. Harrisburg ranks #29.
- **Pennsylvania has three metros in the worst 30**, more than most states, reflecting a statewide infrastructure problem.
- **Freeze-thaw cycles plus heavy truck traffic** on corridors like I-76, I-80, and I-95 create accelerated road deterioration.

---

## Key Numbers at a Glance

| Metro | Worst Roads Ranking | Source |
|-------|-------------------|--------|
| Philadelphia | #19 | Pep Boys 2025 |
| Pittsburgh | #23 | Pep Boys 2025 |
| Harrisburg | #29 | Pep Boys 2025 |

Source: [Pep Boys internal service data](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pep-boys-releases-worst-roads-in-america-report-identifying-the-metro-areas-where-drivers-experience-the-most-road-related-vehicle-repairs-302612213.html), Sept 2024 to Sept 2025. Last verified: April 2026

---

Pennsylvania is a state that makes you earn every mile.

Three of its metro areas rank in the [30 worst nationally](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pep-boys-releases-worst-roads-in-america-report-identifying-the-metro-areas-where-drivers-experience-the-most-road-related-vehicle-repairs-302612213.html) for road-related vehicle repairs: Philadelphia at #19, Pittsburgh at #23, and Harrisburg at #29. That is not a coincidence. It is a statewide pattern.

## The Pennsylvania Problem

Pennsylvania's road challenges come from multiple directions:

**Freeze-thaw cycles.** Like Chicago and Boston, Pennsylvania endures months of freeze-thaw cycling that crack and crater pavement. Philadelphia gets milder winters than Pittsburgh, but both cities experience enough temperature swings to destroy roads annually.

**Heavy truck traffic.** Pennsylvania sits between the East Coast population centers and the Midwest industrial corridor. Interstates like I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike), I-80, and I-95 carry enormous truck volumes that accelerate pavement breakdown.

**Two distinct road systems.** Pennsylvania's state highways (PennDOT) are in better shape than its local roads (maintained by municipalities and townships). Many local governments lack the budget for proper road maintenance, creating a patchwork of quality.

**Aging infrastructure.** Pennsylvania has some of the oldest roads and bridges in the country. Many were built for lighter traffic volumes and vehicle weights than they currently carry.

## Philadelphia vs. Pittsburgh

The two cities face different versions of the same problem:

**Philadelphia (#19):** Dense urban grid, heavy traffic, older road surfaces, and proximity to the coast adds moisture stress. The city's road maintenance budget has struggled to keep pace with deterioration.

**Pittsburgh (#23):** Steep terrain (hills and bridges), harsh winters, and aging infrastructure built for a steel-industry economy that no longer exists. Pittsburgh has more bridges than any city except Venice, and bridge approach roads are notoriously rough.

## What This Costs PA Drivers

| Typical annual road damage | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh |
|---------------------------|-------------|-----------|
| Tire replacement (road damage) | $155 to $400 | $155 to $400 |
| Alignments | $90 to $260 | $90 to $260 |
| Suspension work | $200 to $500 | $250 to $560 |
| Estimated annual total | $500 to $900 | $550 to $950 |

Pittsburgh tends slightly higher due to the additional stress of hill driving on damaged suspension components.

## What You Should Do

1. **Get a post-winter vehicle inspection** every April. Pennsylvania's freeze-thaw season is November through March.
2. **Watch bridge approaches.** In Pittsburgh especially, the transition from bridge to road surface is often the roughest spot.
3. **Budget $50 to $75 per month** for road-related maintenance in either metro.
4. **Report potholes** via PennDOT (state roads) or your city's 311 system (local roads).
5. **Check your alignment after any construction zone** on the Turnpike or I-95 corridor.

---

*Part of the "America's Most Expensive Roads" series. [Read the national overview](https://sidekick.vin/takes/america-has-4-2-million-potholes-drivers-pay-33-billion-dollars-a-year-to-fix-the-damage-now-a-25-percent-tariff-on-tires-and-parts-means-those-repairs-cost-even-more) for the full metro ranking.*