Grand Rapids Drivers Pay the Most for Pothole Damage in West Michigan

If you feel like pothole season is hitting your wallet harder ever, you are not imagining it.

A new study confirms what Grand Rapids drivers already secretly knew. We are paying more than anyone else in West Michigan for road damage, and most of the time, we are paying for it ourselves.

Potholes are back across the region now that things are warming up after weeks of snow, and while Kent County road crews are working around the clock to patch new pot holes, the damage is largely unavoidable.

And according to new research from TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, drivers in Grand Rapids spend an average of $898 per year driving on deteriorating roads. That is higher than drivers in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, who spent on average $749, and higher than Muskegon drivers who are averaging about $810. While we aren’t the highest in Michigan, since Detroit drivers pay the most with their costs topping $1,100 annually.

But still… nearly $900 a year just to deal with rough roads is a lot on a budget, especially these days. Repair costs from a single pothole encounter can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the severity.

And, if you are thinking the city or county will reimburse you, the odds are not in your favor. A review of public data shows that damage claims filed against county and state agencies rarely result in payment, and the burden almost always falls back on the driver.

While your Insurance can help, it won’t always. Experts say drivers with full coverage policies may be able to file a claim for pothole damage. So, it’s worth checking your policy before you need it, not after. Even then, deductibles can still be costly depending on your coverage.
The best advice right now to keep your money in your pocket is to leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead so you can actually see the road. Give yourself time to react, and slow down when you can. Potholes are much easier to avoid when you are not riding someone’s bumper.

None of this is shocking information since every year West Michigan goes through the same cycle. What this study does is put a number on the frustration. For Grand Rapids drivers, that number is nearly $900 a year.