Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Study: More Money Doesn’t Equal Better Highways

More money is going to state highways, but there has been very little progress in improving their condition, according to a new report from the libertarian think tank the Reason Foundation and its 21st Annual Highway Report.

by Staff
September 18, 2014
Study: More Money Doesn’t Equal Better Highways

Photo: Evan Lockridge

2 min to read


Photo: Evan Lockridge

More money is going to state highways, but there has been very little progress in improving their condition, according to a new report from the libertarian think tank the Reason Foundation and its 21st Annual Highway Report.

It found spending on state-owned roads totaled $132 billion in 2012, up 6% from 2011 while spending varied from state to state. For example, South Carolina and West Virginia spent $39,000 per mile of road in 2012 while New Jersey spent over $2 million per state-controlled mile. Rhode Island, Massachusetts, California and Florida were the next biggest spenders, spending more than $500,000 per state-controlled mile.

Ad Loading...

According to the study, from 2011 to 2012 the pavement condition on urban Interstate highways showed only very slight improvement, with 4.97% of urban mileage deemed to be in poor condition in 2012, down from 5.18% in 2011..

The report says one theory that roads aren’t getting better may be due to increasing administrative costs. Hawaii spent $90,000 on administrative costs for every mile of state road, the most of any state. Connecticut had the next highest administrative costs at $77,000 per mile. On the other side of the scale, Texas administration costs were less than $4,000 per mile and Kentucky spent less than $1,000 per mile on office costs, the least in the nation.

The Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report measures the condition and cost-effectiveness of state-owned roads in 11 categories, including pavement condition on urban and rural Interstates, deficient bridges, unsafe narrow lanes, traffic fatalities, administrative costs, and total spending on state roads. The study’s rankings are based on data the states reported to the federal government for 2012 except for the urban Interstate congestion rankings, which are based on the Texas A&M Transportation Institute’s congestion figures for the first time.

More details from the report is available from the Reason Foundation website, where there is also a link to the entire report.

More Fleet Management

Daimler-Class8 partnership.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseFebruary 2, 2026

DTNA Partners with Class8 to Expand Digital Services for Freightliner Owner-Operators

A new partnership brings free wireless ELD service plus load optimization and dispatch planning tools to fourth- and fifth-generation Freightliner Cascadia customers, with broader model availability planned through 2026.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Reducing Fleet Downtime with Advanced Diagnostics

This white paper examines how advanced commercial vehicle diagnostics can significantly reduce fleet downtime as heavy duty vehicles become more complex. It shows how Autel’s CV diagnostic tools enable in-house troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and faster repairs, helping fleets cut emissions-related downtime, reduce dealer dependence, and improve overall vehicle uptime and operating costs.

Read More →
SponsoredFebruary 1, 2026

Stop Watching Footage, Start Driving Results

6 intelligent dashcam tactics to improve safety and boost ROI

Read More →
Ad Loading...
M&A illustration with Werner and FirstFleet logos
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

Werner Expands Dedicated Fleet Nearly 50% With FirstFleet Acquisition

The $283 million acquisition of FirstFleet makes Werner the fifth-largest dedicated carrier and pushes more than half of its revenue into contract freight.

Read More →
Bobit Business Media B2X Rewards.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseJanuary 29, 2026

Bobit Business Media Launches B2X Rewards Engagement Program

B2X Rewards is a new, gamified rewards program aimed at driving deeper engagement across BBM’s digital platforms, newsletters, events, and TheFleetSource.com.

Read More →
Trucking Trends series graphic
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 29, 2026

AI is Reshaping Trucking in 2026, from the Back Office to the Shop

Trucking’s biggest technology shifts in 2026 have one thing in common: artificial intelligence.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Column graphic illustration with Deborah Lockridge head shot and a small fleet truck in the background
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 27, 2026

Why Small Trucking Fleets Are Still Standing [Commentary]

Why discipline, relationships, and focus have mattered more than size for smaller trucking fleets during the freight recession.

Read More →
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 23, 2026

Cargo Theft Is Surging. A Bill in Congress Could Help. [Video]

Cargo theft losses hit $725 million last year. In this HDT Talks Trucking Short Take video, Scott Cornell explains how a bill moving in Congress could bring federal tracking, enforcement, and prosecutions to help address the problem.

Read More →
CargoNet infographic showing 2025 cargo theft trends
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeJanuary 22, 2026

Cargo Theft Losses Jump 60% in 2025 as Criminals Target Higher-Value Freight

Cargo theft activity across North America held relatively steady in 2025 — but the financial damage did not, as ever-more-sophisticated organized criminal groups shifted their cargo theft focus to higher-value shipments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Phillips Connect -- McLeod smart trailer TMS.
Fleet ManagementJanuary 22, 2026

Phillips Connect, McLeod Integrate Smart Trailer Data into TMS Workflows

A new partnership between Phillips Connect and McLeod allows fleets to view trailer health, location, and cargo status inside the same McLeod workflows used for planning, dispatch, and execution.

Read More →