10 States with the Worst Pothole Problems

Most drivers know the feeling before they even see it. A sudden jolt, a sharp thud, and the uneasy hope that your tire survived. Potholes are not a rare inconvenience in the U.S. They are part of daily driving for millions of people, and they add up to real damage and real repair bills. Some states struggle far more than others, largely due to weather, high traffic volumes, and aging infrastructure. These are the places where rough pavement is not an exception, but a routine part of the drive.

Washington’s Roads Keep Search Engines Busy

The rainy state of Washington is also the state most obsessed with pothole problems. Based on Google search trends over the last five years, residents in that area have consistently searched for information on pothole damage and repair more than anyone else. The damp Pacific Northwest weather, combined with aging road infrastructure, helps explain why the Evergreen State consistently ranks near the top.

Hawaii’s Potholes Bring a Different Kind of Trouble

The KaplunMarx study places Hawaii third nationwide, showing that harsh winters are not the only cause of road damage. Heavy rainfall plays a significant role, as water quickly erodes asphalt and seeps into cracks. Long stretches of wet weather can also delay repairs, allowing damage to spread faster than crews can patch it.

Indiana Has Issues Below the Surface

Indiana drivers are familiar with road rumble. With harsh winters that swing between freezing and thawing, roads tend to crack, crumble, and dip faster than crews can repair them. In 2022, Lafayette and Indianapolis appeared among the cities with the highest pothole-related search interest nationwide.

Michigan’s Winters Hit the Pavement Hard

The state’s freeze-thaw cycles weaken pavement as water expands beneath the surface, a pattern common across northern states highlighted in national rankings. Newsweek data places Michigan among states with significant pothole search activity, reflecting ongoing driver frustration. Seasonal temperature swings leave many roads vulnerable as winter gives way to spring.

Rhode Island Has Big Pothole Energy for a Small State

Rhode Island shows up often in online gripes and state-level surveys. The cold New England climate is part of the equation, but inconsistent maintenance also plays a role. In 2023, Twitter users from Rhode Island logged some of the highest pothole complaints per capita in the country.

Tennessee Drivers Aren’t Smiling Either

Busy interstates and aging roadways make things worse here. In cities like Memphis and Nashville, local news stations regularly run pothole complaint segments, and repair crews often struggle to keep up with the pace of damage reports after heavy rains or seasonal shifts.

Ohio’s Roads Crack Under Pressure

Ohio's highway network gets hit from all sides—frequent snow, big traffic volume, and plenty of salt. The result? A pothole problem that feels endless in some counties. The state even has an official pothole claim process so drivers can seek compensation for damage.

Colorado Mixes Altitude With Asphalt Woes

Colorado’s weather flips from warm to frigid without much warning, which is bad news for road stability. Cities like Grand Junction and Denver often rank high for pothole-related searches. The mix of elevation and dry air doesn’t offer much protection from expansion cracks.

South Carolina Has a Year-Round Pothole Season

The state ranks seventh in the KaplunMarx study, driven in part by frequent rainfall that accelerates pavement wear. Moist conditions allow cracks to expand and surfaces to break down over time. The result is steady road damage that can develop throughout the year, not just in winter months.

Connecticut’s Weather Whiplash Wreaks Havoc

Connecticut drivers brace themselves as winter fades, because that’s when the potholes really settle in. The swing between snow, sun, and rain leaves roads fractured, especially on smaller state highways. Drivers often describe the daily commute like playing a game of dodge-the-crater.