Are Missouri Roads the Best in the Nation? 2026 Rankings

I drive a lot in Missouri. Whether I’m heading down to St. Louis or across the state to Kansas City, it honestly feels like I spend half my life on Missouri roads. If you’re someone who also relies on highways and interstates here, there’s actually some good news.

Missouri Ranks Top 3 for Road Quality

A new 2026 ranking from the Reason Foundation’s 26th Annual Highway Report shows Missouri is ranked third for having some of the best roads in the country. North Dakota takes the top spot, followed by Virginia, with Missouri right behind them in the number three position.

Why Missouri’s Highways Stand Out

The report also highlights that Missouri has one of the most cost-effective highway systems in the nation. That’s pretty impressive considering the state has a large population and a heavily traveled highway system. Missouri is also among just five states that spend less than $30,000 per mile on highways.

Now, that might be a little hard to believe at the moment, especially with all the construction happening along I-70. It can be frustrating right now, but in the long run, those improvements should make travel smoother and safer for everyone.

States With the Best and Worst Roads

At the bottom of the rankings, Alaska, Rhode Island, and New Jersey were listed as having the worst roads in the country. Illinois didn’t do much better, coming in at 40th overall.

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Of course, not every road in Missouri is perfect; we all know that. But after driving in places like New Jersey, I can tell you firsthand that things could definitely be worse.