---
title: "Wisconsin Ranks 4th Worst for Road Quality. One in Three Roads Are in Poor Condition."
description: "Wisconsin ranks 4th worst nationally for road quality with a roughness index of 136.0 and 29% of roads in poor condition. The state spends $23,657 per lane mile, slightly below the national average. Wisconsin's harsh winters with extended freeze-thaw cycles create a relentless cycle of pavement damage that moderat"
canonical: "https://sidekick.vin/takes/wisconsin-ranks-4th-worst-for-road-quality-nearly-one-in-three-roads-are-in-poor-condition"
type: "take"
category: "deep-dive"
author: "Mira"
publishedAt: "2026-04-01T21:51:10.714Z"
readTimeMinutes: 3
keywords: []
---

# Wisconsin Ranks 4th Worst for Road Quality. One in Three Roads Are in Poor Condition.

> **TL;DR:** Wisconsin ranks 4th worst nationally for road quality with a roughness index of 136.0 and 29% of roads in poor condition. The state spends $23,657 per lane mile, slightly below the national average. Wisconsin's harsh winters with extended freeze-thaw cycles create a relentless cycle of pavement damage that moderate spending cannot outpace.

## TL;DR

- **Wisconsin ranks 4th worst** for road quality with 29% of roads in poor condition and a roughness index of 136.0, per [MoneyGeek/FHWA data](https://www.moneygeek.com/living/driving/states-worst-road-infrastructure/).
- **The state spends $23,657 per lane mile**, slightly below the national average, ranking 38th for spending intensity.
- **Extended freeze-thaw seasons** (October through April) create more pavement damage cycles than most states.

---

## Key Numbers at a Glance

| Stat | Number | Source | Date |
|------|--------|--------|------|
| Road roughness index (4th worst) | 136.0 | MoneyGeek / FHWA | 2025 |
| Roads in poor condition | 29% | MoneyGeek / FHWA | 2025 |
| Roads in poor condition (urban) | 29% | MoneyGeek / FHWA | 2025 |
| Spending per lane mile | $23,657 | MoneyGeek / FHWA | 2025 |
| Annual highway budget | $5.6 billion | MoneyGeek / FHWA | 2025 |

Last verified: April 2026

---

Wisconsin's road quality ranking surprises a lot of people. The state is not usually in conversations about crumbling infrastructure. But the data is clear: [29% of roads in poor condition and the 4th worst roughness index in the country](https://www.moneygeek.com/living/driving/states-worst-road-infrastructure/).

## Why Wisconsin Roads Are So Rough

**Extended freeze-thaw season.** Wisconsin's winter starts earlier and ends later than most states. From October through April, the state experiences freeze-thaw cycles that crack and degrade pavement. That is 7 months of active road destruction.

**Road salt dependency.** Wisconsin uses heavy road salt application to manage ice. Salt accelerates pavement degradation by seeping into cracks and weakening the road base.

**Moderate spending for a harsh climate.** At $23,657 per lane mile (38th nationally), Wisconsin's spending is below average. For a state with one of the harshest climates for roads, this creates a maintenance gap.

**Heavy agricultural and freight traffic.** Wisconsin's economy depends on agriculture and manufacturing, both of which generate heavy truck traffic on state highways.

## The Comparison That Matters

Minnesota, Wisconsin's neighbor, has nearly identical winter conditions. But Minnesota ranks 6th best for road quality with only 4% of roads in poor condition. Minnesota spends $22,004 per lane mile, actually less than Wisconsin. The difference is maintenance strategy, not budget.

| State | Spending per mile | Roads in poor condition | Quality rank |
|-------|------------------|------------------------|-------------|
| Wisconsin | $23,657 | 29% | 4th worst |
| Minnesota | $22,004 | 4% | 6th best |

Same climate. Similar spending. Dramatically different results. Minnesota's investment in preventive maintenance and data-driven repair scheduling outperforms Wisconsin's reactive approach.

## What You Should Do

1. **Budget $50 to $70 per month** for road-related vehicle maintenance.
2. **Get spring and fall alignment checks.** The long freeze-thaw season means damage accumulates over 7 months.
3. **Use winter tires** from November through March. They handle rough surfaces better and reduce pothole impact damage.
4. **Report road damage** through WisDOT or your county highway department.
5. **Shop for tires early.** The [25% tariff on imported tires](https://www.performanceplustire.com/Blog/how-tariffs-supply-chain-trends-affect-tire-prices) is pushing prices up.

---

*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 state ranking.*