Do Iowa And Illinois Roads Really Have The Most Potholes In America?

Aren't we having such fun driving out here?

At least once a week, I hit a pothole so hard I have to verbally apologize to my car. It seems like when the city says they're "fixing" potholes, they're really filling them with Oreo crumbs.

We all complain about the roads and how much of a nightmare they are to drive. Especially after the icy, freezing weather we've had lately. So this is what we're left with:

Are we really dealing with as many potholes as we think we are? Here's what stats show.

First, stepping back to Google Trends data from USA Today in 2020-2023: Illinois ranks #13 in the country for the amount of potholes (45.00 in the Google index number searching terms including "pothole,” “potholes,” “pothole repair,” “pothole damage” and “pothole complaint") while Iowa ranked #34 with a 15.50 index search number.

It's only getting worse.

This year, numbers from MoneyGeek show that Iowa roads now rank #13 in roughest roads, with 18% of the state's roads considered in 'poor condition'.

You're Paying For It

AAA numbers show that the average fix for pothole damage costs drivers about $600. And as you know all too well, it doesn't take long for potholes to form. 3 things contribute to the birth of a pothole: surface cracks, water, and traffic. Asphalt cracks when the ground expands or shifts, so this freeze-thaw cycle thing makes it so much worse.

Of course, sometimes you just can't avoid potholes. Keep your eyes on the road (literally the road, not just other drivers) and watch your tire pressure. And apologize to your car when needed.