CNBC Ranks Montana’s Infrastructure Near Bottom

So we’ve landed on another top 10 list.

This time, it is not one anyone’s exactly rushing to wave a flag for, according to a new report from CNBC on America’s worst infrastructure. In this year’s “States with the Worst Infrastructure” ranking, we’re hanging out with the likes of Mississippi and Louisiana. So if you’ve ever cruised down a stretch of pothole roulette and thought, Is this normal? The answer is yes. For Montana, anyway.

Montana scored a D- for infrastructure, according to the report. And honestly? That is being generous.

Here are the stats from CNBC:

2025 Infrastructure score: 153 out of 405 points (Top States Grade: D–)

U.S. Population within 500 miles: 9,052,768

Roads in unacceptable condition: 6.1%

Bridges in poor condition: 6.8%

Power outages per year: 1.98 hours

Affordable broadband access: 49.7%

Data Centers: 3

You can pretty much play “guess the county’s budget” just by driving across Montana. One minute, it’s freshly paved blacktop. Blink twice and your coffee’s in your lap, the radio’s cutting in and out, and you’ve been swallowed by a crater big enough to fit a Subaru.

Bridges? Old. Roads? Patchworked. Water systems? Hold your breath and hope. Broadband? If you’ve got three bars of coverage outside of town, you’re living in the modern world.

We’re not expecting big-city infrastructure out here. We know what we signed up for. Still, it’s a little frustrating to see our state make this list, especially considering how much money rolls through from tourism, energy, and agriculture.

Montanans are built to get by. We’ll zip-tie it, duct tape it, weld it, or call a buddy who knows a guy. Just do your best to dodge the big potholes, and we will be fine.