Why Louisiana’s Roads Are So Bad—and What Can Be Done

LAFAYETTE, La. (KPEL News) - If you’re tired of dodging potholes and wondering if Louisiana’s roads are secretly an obstacle course, you’re not alone.

Louisiana drivers know that our roads are among the worst in the country, but why is that? From funding issues to Louisiana’s unique geography, here’s a closer look at why our roads are crumbling—and whether there’s any hope for improvement.

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1. Louisiana Ranks Low Nationally for Road Quality

Louisiana’s poor road conditions aren’t just a local gripe—they’re well-documented in national reports. According to a 2021 study by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, Louisiana is one of the worst states for road conditions, with around 30% of major roads in “poor” condition. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) also gave Louisiana’s roads a “D+” in its 2022 infrastructure report card, citing severe deterioration, a lack of funding, and poor maintenance as ongoing issues.

More recently, TRIP's rating of Louisiana's rural roads and bridges was especially damning.

For drivers in Louisiana, this ranking likely isn’t a surprise, but it does highlight the urgent need for improvements. Year after year, Louisiana finds itself at the bottom of road quality rankings, and local drivers are paying the price.

2. Unique Environmental Challenges Speed Up Road Deterioration

Louisiana’s climate and landscape play a major role in the rapid deterioration of our roads. The state’s high humidity, frequent rainfall, and seasonal hurricanes create a perfect storm for road damage. Heavy rain can weaken the soil under the pavement, leading to cracks and potholes, while hurricanes and flooding often cause severe structural damage.

Additionally, Louisiana’s soft, swampy soil doesn’t provide a stable base for roads. In areas like New Orleans, roads are prone to “subsidence,” or gradual sinking, as the soil shifts over time. This movement leads to cracked and uneven pavement, especially in low-lying regions.

3. Louisiana’s Outdated Gas Tax Can’t Keep Up

One of the biggest reasons our roads are so bad is a lack of funding. Louisiana’s road repair and maintenance funding primarily comes from a gas tax that hasn’t been raised since 1989. In today’s dollars, this tax is worth much less than it was 30 years ago, which means Louisiana has less and less money to spend on road upkeep, even as costs for labor and materials have gone up.

In a 2022 report, Louisiana’s Transportation Task Force estimated that the state faces a $15 billion backlog in needed road improvements. Without an increase in funding, Louisiana simply can’t keep up with repairs, leaving roads to worsen over time.

4. Heavy Truck Traffic Adds to the Damage

Louisiana is a major hub for industries like oil, gas, and agriculture, which means our roads see a lot of heavy truck traffic. Large trucks cause significantly more wear and tear than passenger cars—one fully-loaded truck has the same impact on pavement as roughly 9,600 cars. This high volume of heavy traffic accelerates the damage to Louisiana’s roads, particularly on major interstates and highways.

With ports in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, along with a network of highways connecting to the rest of the South, Louisiana’s roads are critical for commerce but suffer from intense wear and tear. Unfortunately, without increased funding for repairs, this problem is only getting worse.

5. Louisiana Drivers Pay the Price—Literally

Driving on Louisiana’s rough roads isn’t just inconvenient; it’s expensive. According to TRIP, Louisiana drivers pay an average of $667 extra per year in vehicle operating costs due to damage from poor road conditions. This includes costs for tire damage, suspension issues, alignment repairs, and more frequent brake replacements.

For Louisiana families, especially those in rural areas where road quality tends to be even worse, this adds up. Poor infrastructure is costing residents not just in frustration but in real dollars that come out of their pockets.

6. Federal Funding Offers a Glimmer of Hope

There is a bit of good news: recent federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act promises an estimated $6 billion over the next five years for road, bridge, and infrastructure improvements in Louisiana. This funding will go a long way toward addressing the most critical repairs and launching new projects to upgrade some of the state’s worst roads.

However, experts caution that this funding is just a start. Given the scale of Louisiana’s infrastructure issues, $6 billion won’t be enough to cover all the necessary repairs. Without additional state funding, Louisiana’s roads will continue to be an uphill battle.

7. What Louisiana Drivers Can Do to Make a Difference

Although Louisiana’s road issues are complex, there are a few ways drivers can help bring about change:

Report road problems: Apps like MyDOTD allow residents to report potholes, damaged signs, and other road issues. Reporting problems helps the state track and prioritize repairs.
Stay informed: Keep an eye on local infrastructure proposals and support initiatives that focus on road improvements.
Share your stories: Talking about the state of Louisiana’s roads with others (online or in person) can help build momentum for change. Share this article and encourage others to call for improvements.

Encouraging local and state officials to prioritize road funding can make a real difference, even if the process takes time.

Conclusion: Will Louisiana’s Roads Ever Improve?

Louisiana’s road conditions have been in poor shape for decades, and fixing them will require sustained investment and commitment. With heavy truck traffic, challenging environmental conditions, and a long-standing lack of funding, the road to improvement will be rough. While federal funding offers a temporary boost, Louisiana’s roads need long-term solutions. Until then, drivers will continue facing some of the roughest roads in America, hoping that one day the state’s infrastructure will finally catch up to its needs.