Turns Out South Dakota Has Some Of America’s Best Roads

It’s no secret that South Dakota loves to quietly overachieve. We’ve got a rock-solid economy, world-class outdoor adventures, booming tourism, a hearty helping of agriculture, and now we’re apparently killin’ it in... road quality?

Dakota News Now reports that a recent U.S. News survey shows that South Dakota has some of the best roads in the country. Seriously? When was the last time these survey folks took a leisurely bounce down 33rd Street in Sioux Falls without rattling a couple of fillings loose?

Second-best roads in the nation, is what they're saying. That's right. Out of all 50 states, we somehow cruised into the silver medal position for road quality. Honestly, if you’ve ever tried dodging potholes on some of these Sioux Falls streets, this might come as a bit of a shock.

Get our free mobile app

According to Dakota News Now, South Dakota has the third-highest percentage of "acceptable" roads in the entire U.S., with a whopping 95.1% overall rating. That’s not just passing,  that’s honor roll material right there, folks! DOT employees should start giving each other high fives.

Who exactly thinks South Dakota's roads are this amazing?

Well, most of the data came from professional truck drivers. And hey, if anyone knows the ins and outs and ups and downs of American highways, it’s the folks hauling 80,000-pound trailers coast to coast. These drivers overwhelmingly agreed that South Dakota’s roads are in better shape than most. Have you driven through Wyoming lately, ooof!

READ MORE:  I-90 Onramp Closure is Just Around the Corner

You should know, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Many truckers did note that the roads around South Dakota’s reservations are in pretty rough shape, a reminder that not all parts of the state are getting the same TLC when it comes to infrastructure.

When asked about their biggest gripe with South Dakota roads? The overwhelming answer was “bumpiness.”

Bumps? Clearly, they missed the moon crater on 41st Street that almost sent my SUV into orbit last spring. Forget bumpiness; that monster could have passed as another public pool. It was that big!

Apparently, South Dakota is crushing it in the road department. Which is good to hear. However, if I were you, I'd still hold my coffee tight and keep an eye out for those rogue potholes next spring. While the numbers might say the drive is smooth in the Rushmore State, the actual ride itself, not so much at times.

Source: Dakota News Now