Atlanta, Georgia – Georgia’s highway network has climbed into the national spotlight, earning the No. 2 position in the Reason Foundation’s 29th Annual Highway Report, a nationwide review that measures how well states balance spending with road system performance.
The report looked at all 50 states through 13 indicators, including pavement quality, traffic deaths, congestion, bridge condition, and overall costs, and found Georgia among the strongest performers in the country.
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The new ranking marks a notable jump for the state, which moved up four places from the previous report.
According to the Reason Foundation, Georgia stood out for its strong results in arterial pavement condition, bridge quality, and spending efficiency. The report uses a cost-versus-quality method, comparing each state’s outcomes against the resources it has available rather than simply measuring raw totals. That approach is meant to account for differences in geography, traffic demands, network size, and budgets from one state to another.
For Georgia officials, the ranking serves as both recognition and a reminder of the work still ahead.
“The department takes great pride in the state’s highway system being among the best in the nation, and this ranking reflects the hard work and dedication of our employees,” said Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E.
“However, we recognize that the work is never truly finished and remain committed to providing a safe, efficient, and innovative transportation network for the people of Georgia.”
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Georgia DOT oversees the 10th largest transportation network in the United States, giving the agency a broad and demanding mission. Beyond roads, bridges, and interstate corridors, the department also supports a larger transportation framework that includes rail, public transit, aviation, and waterways. That wider role makes the high national standing even more significant, as the state continues to manage growth while keeping major infrastructure in working order.
The report’s findings offer a snapshot of where Georgia stands today, but they also point toward the challenge of maintaining that level of performance in the years ahead.
With continued population growth and increasing pressure on transportation systems, the state’s ability to pair strong conditions with careful spending will remain under close watch.
More information on Georgia DOT’s performance, funding, and operations is available through the department’s FY 2025 Accountability and Investment Report.
