For those who frequently navigate highways and backroads, it’s easy to find yourself exclaiming, “These must be the worst roads in America.” Regardless of location, the call for repairs seems universal. In its 2025 “Report Card for America’s Infrastructure,” the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) rated the nation a mere “C,” albeit an improvement from the previous “C-.” This evaluation covered 18 categories, including ports, dams, aviation, stormwater management, and roads. While U.S. ports scored a commendable “B,” roads lagged with a dismal “D+.” The ASCE estimates that around 39% of the country’s major roads are in “poor or mediocre condition,” a slight improvement from 43% in 2020. However, the subpar state of these roads leads to an average annual cost of $1,400 for drivers, stemming from repairs and lost time, as indicated in the report.
While the condition of U.S. roads is less than stellar overall, one particular city in Florida stands out for having the most severe issues. Orlando, famously dubbed the “Theme Park Capital of the World,” has been labeled the city with the worst roads in the United States by Pep Boys, humorously earning it the nickname “Tragic Kingdom.” Traveling through Orlando’s road network is a necessity for reaching many of its celebrated attractions, adding frustration to the experience.
Orlando’s roads present significant challenges for drivers
Pep Boys recently conducted its inaugural “Worst Roads in America” survey in 2025, which evaluated 30 metropolitan areas based on the frequency of vehicle repairs linked to road conditions. It’s important to note that the report only includes data from regions with Pep Boys outlets, which may limit its representativeness. Nevertheless, the company operates over 800 locations across 35 states, with around 80 in Central Florida alone, highlighting its significant presence in the area.
According to the findings, Orlando was identified as having the worst road conditions, resulting from “elevated rates of alignment and suspension repairs, coupled with frequent tire replacements.” Jean-Pierre Issa, a regional spokesperson for Pep Boys, explained to the Orlando Sentinel that the heat often softens asphalt, paired with seasonal heavy rainfall that accelerates cracking, thus creating large potholes. Factors like Florida’s subtropical weather, the impact of hurricanes, constant commuter and tourist traffic, as well as soil quality and ongoing construction, all contribute to the deterioration of road infrastructure. As Issa noted, tires and suspension systems take the brunt of this damage since they serve as the primary points of contact between vehicles and the road.
Orlando is not alone in facing this issue within Florida. The survey revealed that five of the top ten cities with poor roads also include Panama City (#3), Tampa-St. Petersburg (#5), West Palm Beach (#7), and Tallahassee (#9). Although Pep Boys has not disclosed specifics about repair costs, Issa confirmed that between September 2024 and September 2025, drivers in Orlando frequented its stores for repairs further than customers in any of its other 34 metropolitan regions.
