“I think it must be a state law that I-70 bridges must be outfitted with a ski ramp on all approaches, with a 15-foot drop-off.” --Overdrive reader speaking to one among many reasons readers named the Indiana route the No. 1 worst in the United States
Overdrive's editors have researched the matter, and we do believe there is no state law mandating ski ramps as described by the commenter at the top. Yet that owner-operator wasn't the only trucker to earmark the problem along I-70 in Indiana in Overdrive's new 20-page "Truckers' Highway Report Card," issued today, October 23, 2025.
A few key findings in the report, based on hundreds of survey responses from Overdrive's small-business trucking readers.
- I-70 in Indiana isn't the only haul route there ranking among the top 10 worst in the nation: Indiana I-80 and I-65 rank Nos. 8 and 9 worst, respectively.
- Behind Indiana among worst states for roads were Louisiana at No. 2, followed by Arizona at No. 3 and a virtual tie between California and New Mexico to round out the top 5 worst.
- I-40 across Arizona and New Mexico ranked just below Indiana I-70 for worst route in the nation.
- Trucker respondents to the survey also gave credit where it's due, lauding a bevy of states for best roads, and earmarked needed areas of improvement for truck parking availability and accessibility among metro areas around the nation, delivering viewpoints on the reasoning behind their choices.
- The full report is available for download today via the short form at bottom.
Find more detail in the full 2025 Highway Report Card -- download via the short form at bottom.
The hearing convened trucking representatives in efforts to help Senators prioritize trucking issues ahead of the next highway reauthorization. Sen. Young teed it up with acknowledgement of efforts to cut regulatory red tape for truckers and trucking companies, and the hearing would go on to highlight some differences among trucking constituencies with respect to various issues of safety regulation. Yet written testimony made it clear that groups often at odds agreed on this: More investment in truck parking is needed at federal, state and local levels, likewise highway expansion and maintenance.
Sen. Young's office didn't respond to inquiries ahead of the Highway Report Card's release, yet in the July hearing acknowledged that to maintain high levels of trucking safety, "we must also focus on improving our roadway infrastructure," he said. "This includes maintaining road quality and focusing federal funding to leverage state, local and private dollars for infrastructure projects that will vastly improve roadway safety."
For the "97,000 miles of public roadways" Young invoked in the Crossroads of America, it's clear there's work to be done.
Numerous commenters noted equipment failures -- broken suspensions, blown-out tires leading to accidents, injuries -- after crossing the extremely rough part of I-70 east of Indianapolis to the Ohio line.
As noted at the top, the ski-ramp effect of bridge approaches was a common refrain. "When I pass through on I-70 I almost do flips behind the wheel," said yet another commenter.
For more perspectives from truck owners and operators -- and state DOTs themselves -- read Overdrive's report accompanying the release of the "Truckers' 2025 Highway Report Card."
Hold lawmakers to their invocations of highway-upkeep importance. Let the "Truckers' 2025 Highway Report Card" be a tool to chart a course forward for legislators and federal and state DOTs to focus resources where they're most needed. Download the report to share the findings with your representatives via the form below.
