Why Some Illinois Roads Are Among the Worst in the U.S. in 2025: Key Factors Behind the State’s Road Conditions

It’s widely known that many roads in the Midwest are in poor condition, with potholes creating significant challenges for drivers. While this is a common issue across the region, some states experience far worse road conditions than others, making travel more difficult and potentially hazardous. The extent of road damage varies greatly, and in some areas, the situation has become a serious concern for residents and commuters alike. A recent report from consumer affairs went as far to say that Illinois is in the top 10 worst states when it comes to roads in America.

Despite a fairly robust yearly highway disbursement just shy of $9 billion dollars, Illinois is straddling the line with mediocre roads. About 20% of urban roads are considered in poor condition for road roughness.

The Illinois Numbers

According to a report by Consumer Affairs, the United States boasts the largest network of roads in the world, spanning millions of miles across the country. To identify which roads are in the worst condition, they utilized a detailed methodology that examined various factors such as road quality, maintenance, and the frequency of repairs. This approach allowed them to determine which areas in the U.S. have the most significant challenges when it comes to road infrastructure.

Our formula for determining the worst and best roads in America uses weighted averages of scores based on the most recent available data from the U.S. Department of Transportation on fatalities

• miles traveled
• road roughness
• and spending on road improvements.

Each state’s residents were also surveyed about the quality of roads on a scale of 1 to 10.

Illinois Ranked As The 10th Worst Road In America

While Illinois didn't make it into the top five for all states, it did make it to number one worst road in the Midwest. Reports go on to say,

The Illinois residents surveyed said “most of the roads are acceptable,” but that opinion varied depending on where they live. Chicago locals were likely to rate the roads as “poor” due to constant potholes, while rural residents seemed happy with the state’s road conditions.

Climate undoubtedly plays a significant role in the condition of roads, as evidenced by the states on this list. What are your thoughts on these rankings?