New Jersey’s Roads Still Rank Low, But Safety Numbers Tell a Better Story

New Jersey’s roads have long been the target of frustration, and not just because of potholes or winter weather.

For years, the Garden State carried the unwanted title of having the worst roads in the entire country. A national poll even placed us at the very bottom, a ranking no driver was proud of. But in 2025, there’s at least some progress to report.

NJ Roads: From Worst to Improving

According to a recent study by reason.org, New Jersey has improved slightly in the overall road rankings, now sitting at 44th place. While that’s still far from ideal, it’s better than being dead last. Many residents would love to see us move into the 20s or even teens, but improvement is still improvement.

Challenges Still Ahead for Garden State Roads

One area where New Jersey shines is safety. Despite the rough road conditions and high construction costs, the state is ranked among the top 20 states with the lowest traffic fatalities. This is based on data that measures accidents and fatalities across urban, rural, and other roadway categories. That’s a significant bright spot, proving that while the roads may not always be smooth, they’re not necessarily dangerous.

The states that consistently rank at the top for road quality are mostly found in the Southeast, with Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida leading the way. Their ability to balance infrastructure quality with affordability keeps them ahead of the curve.

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For New Jersey, there’s still a long road ahead, but at least we’re no longer at the very bottom of the list.