Tulsa drivers lose $2,500 annually due to poor road conditions, traffic congestion

Rough roads, traffic congestion, and inadequate safety features are costing Tulsa drivers nearly $2,500 each year, according to a new report from transportation research nonprofit TRIP.

The study, released Tuesday, estimates Oklahoma drivers are collectively losing $6.3 billion annually due to deteriorating infrastructure.

TRIP is a nonprofit organization that researches, evaluates, and distributes economic and technical data on surface transportation issues.

The report found that "nearly half of major locally and state-maintained roads are in poor or mediocre condition, eight percent of locally and state-maintained bridges (20 feet or more in length) are rated poor/structurally deficient, traffic congestion is impeding commuting and commerce, and the state’s traffic fatality rate is the ninth highest in the nation."

In total, the road conditions in Oklahoma cost drivers an estimated $6.3 billion annually, statewide.

Here's what's costing Oklahomans

1. Driving on roads in need of repair
2. Lost time
3. Fuel due to congestion-related delays
4. Cost of traffic crashes due to likely inadequate road safety features

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What condition are Oklahoma's major roads in?

1. 48% of Oklahoma's major roads are in poor or mediocre condition, according to the TRIP report.
2. For Tulsa, 12% of bridges are rated poor/structurally deficient, with significant deterioration to the bridge deck, supports, or other major components."

Here's how traffic congestion impacts Oklahoma drivers:

1. 42 annual hours of delay, on average, for drivers due to congestion
2. $829 on average annually in lost time and wasted fuel
3. Tulsa drivers waste an average of 15 gallons of fuel annually due to traffic congestion

Safety statistics on Oklahoma roads:

1. In 2023, Oklahoma had 1.53 traffic fatalities for every 100 million miles traveled (9th highest in the nation)
2. In Tulsa, an average of 102 people were killed in traffic crashes between 2018-2022.
3. The financial impact of traffic crashes in which the lack of adequate roadway safety features, while not the primary factor, was likely a contributing factor, was an average of $585 annually per each Tulsa area driver – a total of $1.5 billion statewide," according to the report.

“Oklahoma ranks seventh in the nation in transportation infrastructure, which shows our past investments work,” said Brent Skarky, senior vice president of communications and marketing for The State Chamber of Oklahoma. “Given our location in the country, we need to continue these investments in order to capitalize on new opportunities to grow our economy. A strong infrastructure system enables economic development and growth, so preparing and making commitments for future growth is vital to Oklahoma’s economic success."

Why are Oklahoma's road conditions important?

1. The efficiency and condition of the state's roads, particularly highways, are critical to the health of the state's economy
2. For example, 431 million tons of freight moved in Oklahoma in 2023, a $295 billion value
3. Over the next 25 years, freight moved in the state is estimated to grow 53% by weight, with a 90% increase in value.
4. Design, construction, and maintenance of roads support 51,000 full-time jobs in the state economy
5. Approx. 796,000 full-time jobs are dependent on the quality, safety, and reliability of roads

“It will be critical that Oklahoma adequately invest in its transportation network in order to provide a system that is smooth, safe and efficient,” said Dave Kearby, TRIP’s executive director. “Oklahoma ’s transportation dollars are already being stretched thin by increased inflation in construction costs, and without additional transportation investment, needed projects that would make the state’s roads safer, smoother and more efficient will not move forward.”

CLICK HERE to read the full report, Oklahoma Transportation By The Numbers: Providing a Modern, Efficient Transportation Network in the Sooner State.