The Reason Foundation, which advocates small government and voluntary, market-based solutions to societal problems, looks at state highways on a state-by-state basis. They try to measure congestion, potholes, efficiency of government spending, etc. The study does not include interstates and other federal roads. Maryland has one of the smaller state highway systems, with only 5,200 miles under state control. North Carolina, by contrast, has almost 80,000 miles. In overall performance, Maryland ranked 38th in the nation.

Some highlights:

Most cost-effective states (low budgets and good roads): North Dakota, South Carolina and Kansas. However, South Carolina has one of the highest fatality rates per mile, which strongly suggests that the foundation didn't assign enough weight to that statistic in measuring cost effectiveness. A few more dollars spent by South Carolina might save some lives. Maryland is 38th in cost effectiveness -- an improvement from its rank of 43 a few years ago.

Least cost-effective states: New Jersey, Alaska and New York.

Lowest administrative costs per mile: North Dakota, Arkansas, Missouri. (Maryland ranks 30th lowest.)

Most administrative costs per mile: New Jersey, California, Massachusetts

Best bridges: Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming. (Maryland was 32nd best.)

Worst bridges: West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island

Lowest fatalities per mile: Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont (Maryland was 9th lowest.)

Highest fatality rates: Montana, South Dakota, South Carolina