Highways to hell
Every neighboring state outperforms Louisiana on roads. Mississippi included.
Louisiana's roads rank 46th in the nation—and have for two years running.
Why it matters: This isn't a ranking. It's a verdict. The state finishes in the bottom five in nearly every category that affects the daily drive. Every neighboring state outperforms Louisiana. Mississippi included.
Money for nothing: Louisiana actually ranks near the top nationally for keeping administrative overhead low and scores well on capital spending. The dollars are there. The pavement isn't.
Big picture: The 29th Annual Highway Report, by Reason Foundation, a libertarian think tank, scores all 50 states across 13 categories—pavement condition, bridge integrity, fatality rates, congestion and spending. Virginia and Georgia have the nation’s best roads; Alaska and California, the worst.
Bright spot: Congestion is middle-of-the-pack. Louisiana drivers lose about 24 hours a year to traffic—a full day, but not the worst in the country. Fatality rates improved from the previous report. Not a lot—but movement in the right direction.
The bottom line: Louisiana isn't falling further behind. It's just not moving. Same rank, same roads, same result. At some point, that's a choice.
Read the full report here.
