If you’ve ever driven through Louisiana, you probably already know—the roads are rough. Now, a new report confirms what drivers have long suspected: Louisiana has some of the worst and least cost-efficient roads in the country.
A study from the Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank, ranked Louisiana 46th in overall highway performance—meaning only four states have worse roads. Despite heavy spending, the state continues to struggle with road conditions, cost efficiency, and infrastructure issues.
How Does Louisiana Compare to Other States?
Louisiana’s neighbors ranked much higher in the report:
- Mississippi – Ranked 18th
- Texas – Ranked 25th
- Arkansas – Ranked 28th
- Louisiana – Ranked 46th
This means drivers in Louisiana are dealing with some of the roughest roads in the region.
Where Does Louisiana’s Road Spending Go?
The report found that Louisiana is efficient in some areas, particularly in building new highways and bridges. However, several factors are dragging down its rankings:
- High costs for law enforcement & safety expenditures
- Inefficient spending on road maintenance
- Poor road conditions across the state
Despite the large budget allocated to transportation, Louisiana’s roads are among the worst in quality nationwide.
The Worst Roads in Louisiana
The report highlighted the worst road conditions in the state:
- Rural Interstates – 5th worst in America
- Two-to-Four-Lane Rural Roads – 4th worst in the U.S.
- Urban Interstates – 2nd worst in the country
- Four-to-Eight-Lane Urban Roads – 8th worst in the nation
If you’ve driven on Louisiana’s urban interstates, this ranking likely comes as no surprise—the potholes, uneven pavement, and constant construction make driving a challenge.
Bridge Problems Continue
Louisiana’s bridges are also in poor shape, ranking 6th worst in the nation. Many qualify for federal repair funding due to their structural deficiencies, meaning they need major repairs sooner rather than later.