America’s roadway deterioration problem is increasingly showing up in household budgets. Damaged tires, cracked wheels, suspension repairs and alignment problems are forcing millions of drivers to pay hundreds of dollars after striking potholes, while taxpayers are also being asked to fund a growing backlog of highway repairs.
Research conducted by CR Legal Team examined the cost of potholes from several angles, including vehicle damage, roadway safety, infrastructure funding and the states where road conditions are worsening fastest. The findings show that potholes are not simply a nuisance. They represent a recurring national expense with consequences for drivers, governments and businesses.
An estimated 44 million motorists paid for pothole-related repairs in 2022, compared with 28 million one year earlier. Nationally, annual pothole damage is estimated to cost drivers approximately $26.5 billion.
One Impact Can Create Multiple Repairs
When a tire falls into a deep pothole, the force of the impact may be comparable to striking a solid object at approximately 35 mph. Damage can occur even when the tire does not immediately go flat.
A driver may notice vibration, uneven steering, pulling to one side or unusual sounds several miles after the initial impact. In more severe cases, a pothole can damage several vehicle systems simultaneously.
| Vehicle component | Potential pothole damage |
|---|---|
| Tires | Punctures, sidewall bubbles and blowouts |
| Wheels | Bent rims, cracked alloys and broken wheel edges |
| Suspension | Damaged shocks, struts, control arms and joints |
| Steering | Misalignment, loosened components and pulling |
| Undercarriage | Scraping, panel damage and fluid leaks |
| Alignment | Uneven tire wear and handling problems |
AAA estimates the average pothole repair bill ranges from $406 to $600. However, incidents involving multiple wheels or suspension components can cost significantly more.
In April 2026, a large pothole on Interstate 40 in Nashville reportedly damaged more than 20 vehicles within several hours. Some motorists faced repair bills close to $1,000 for tire, rim and suspension work.
The Number of Affected Drivers Is Rising
The financial burden has grown quickly. After the number of drivers paying for pothole damage increased from 28 million to 44 million, a later AAA survey found a further 57% year-over-year increase in motorists reporting damage that required repairs.
The problem is rarely limited to a single incident. Some drivers experience pothole-related damage as many as three times over five years, turning an occasional expense into a repeated financial burden.
Drivers ages 35 to 44 report some of the highest exposure, with 31% of that age group saying they had paid for pothole repairs.
The nationwide impact includes:
- $26.5 billion in estimated annual repair costs
- 44 million affected drivers in a single year
- 1.8 million roadside calls involving tire damage
- 11% of roadside assistance requests connected to damaged tires
- Average repairs costing between $406 and $600
For households without emergency savings, an unplanned $500 repair may lead to delayed bills, missed work or continued driving on an unsafe tire.
Poor Pavement Also Raises Crash Risks
Hitting a pothole can cause a driver to lose control, but trying to avoid one can be equally dangerous. Drivers may suddenly brake or swerve into an adjacent lane without checking for other vehicles.
Roadway debris and similar avoidance maneuvers contribute to an estimated:
| Outcome | Annual estimate |
|---|---|
| Crashes | 53,000 |
| Injuries | 5,500 |
| Deaths | 72 |
Pothole-related events account for roughly 1% of all roadway crashes. The percentage may appear limited, but the national volume of traffic means even a small share represents thousands of collisions.
Sudden steering is particularly hazardous at highway speeds. Approximately 40% of fatal rollover crashes involve excessive speed, and abrupt swerving can destabilize vehicles when traveling on roads with speed limits of 55 mph or higher.
Bicyclists and motorcyclists face even greater danger. A depression that causes only a jolt in a passenger car may trap a bicycle wheel or throw a motorcycle off balance.
Driver Frustration Can Compound the Hazard
Potholes also contribute to slower traffic and driver frustration. Motorists may brake unpredictably, change lanes aggressively or follow other vehicles too closely while trying to avoid damaged pavement.
Aggressive driving is associated with more than half of fatal motor vehicle crashes. Research cited by CR Legal Team found that 92% of U.S. drivers admitted engaging in some form of aggressive behavior.
Since 2016:
- Reports of cutting off other drivers increased 67%
- Angry honking increased 47%
- Aggressive driving incidents increased 30% between 2015 and 2024
- Fatal road rage shootings reached 141 deaths in one recent year
Potholes are not solely responsible for aggressive driving, but deteriorating roads, repeated repairs and construction delays can add to the stress drivers experience.
Road Quality Is Declining in Several States
Nearly 40% of major U.S. roads are classified as being in poor or mediocre condition. Across almost 4 million miles of road, estimates suggest the country has more than 55 million potholes, or approximately 13 per mile.
The share of roads rated in poor condition rose most sharply in Idaho between 2019 and 2024.
| Rank | State | Increase in poor roads |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho | 68.6% |
| 2 | Oklahoma | 29.9% |
| 3 | California | 28.6% |
| 4 | New Mexico | 25.5% |
| 5 | Oregon | 25.0% |
| 6 | Virginia | 25.0% |
| 7 | Arizona | 25.0% |
| 8 | Louisiana | 18.4% |
| 9 | Florida | 14.3% |
| 10 | Mississippi | 14.0% |
The Northeast remains particularly susceptible because repeated freezing and thawing weaken pavement. Pothole damage is estimated to be 60% more common in the Northeast than in the South and West, while 74% of Northeastern drivers report concern about potholes.
Public Spending Has Not Closed the Gap
More than $591 billion has been designated through federal infrastructure programs since late 2021, including substantial funding for transportation improvements. Another estimate places transportation spending under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act at $454 billion from 2022 through 2026.
Despite that investment, the projected roadway funding gap remains approximately $684 billion over the next decade.
The burden falls on both drivers and taxpayers. The average motorist loses an estimated $571 per year because of poor roads, although the amount varies substantially.
Washington, D.C. drivers face an estimated annual cost of $1,100, compared with $845 in Rhode Island. At the lower end, drivers pay approximately $209 in Tennessee, $256 in Oregon and $295 in Wyoming.
The central problem is that most states do not collect enough in fuel taxes, registration fees and toll revenue to cover transportation spending. Only Maryland and New Jersey reportedly generate enough from those sources to meet their highway costs.
Until preventive maintenance and repair funding catch up with deterioration, pothole damage will remain both a public infrastructure problem and a private household expense.
