Libertarian-oriented foundation says North Dakota still has best state highways in the U.S.

North Dakota continues to have the best state-owned highway system in the country, according to the libertarian-oriented Reason Foundation's 20th "Annual Report of the Performance of State Highway Systems." Highways were rated based on expenditures, interstate and primary road pavement condition, bridge condition, urban interstate congestion, fatality rates and narrow rural lanes. The study was based on spending and performance data submitted by state highway agencies to the federal government, according to a Reason news release.

North Dakota, which has held the top spot every year since 2001, was followed by Kansas, Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Missouri, South Dakota, and Mississippi. Alaska was 50th and Rhode Island was 49th. Those two states (the largest and smallest in area) reported more than 10 percent of their rural primary mileage to be in poor condition. The percentage of road miles in a state that are the responsibility of the state varies widely. To view the full report click here.