Dive Brief:

• The TRIP research group in Washington says that deteriorating pavement on major urban roads such as interstates and freeways raises driving costs for car owners.
• The expenses come in reduced gas mileage, higher tire wear and increased vehicle maintenance.
• TRIP estimates that the average urban driver gets hit for $377 annually, and in some cases it goes as high as $800.

Dive Insight:

The nonprofit research group funded by various industries associated with road building and repairs says in its report that a quarter of urban roads are in poor condition and that those urban roads carry 78% of 2 trillion miles driven every year in urban area. State and federal spending on roads has gone down since the recession began, and the National Highway Trust Fund is, so far, due to run out of money for any new projects when this fiscal year ends.