When the Heat Rises, the Road Can Fight Back: How Extreme Heat Affects Roads, Your Car, and Your Wallet
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Most drivers expect winter to be hard on roads. Snow, ice, and freeze-thaw cycles have long been
blamed for potholes and pavement damage. But increasingly, transportation agencies are finding that extreme summer heat can be just as destructive.
As temperatures climb, roads expand, soften, and sometimes buckle under stress. The damage can create dangerous driving conditions, increase wear on your vehicle, and contribute to rising public infrastructure costs that ultimately affect taxpayers.
The good news is that you don't need to park your car every time the thermometer reaches 90 degrees. Modern vehicles are built to operate safely in hot weather. The bigger concern is what prolonged heat does to your vehicle and to the road beneath your tires. Understanding those risks can help you stay safer and avoid costly repairs.
Why Hot Weather Damages Roads
Roads are engineered to withstand changing temperatures, but prolonged or extreme heat pushes construction materials beyond their normal operating range.
Concrete expands as temperatures rise. Expansion joints are designed to absorb this movement, but if they become clogged with debris or cannot accommodate enough expansion, pressure builds until sections of pavement suddenly lift upward. Engineers refer to these as pavement buckles or blow-ups. They can develop quickly and create a serious hazard for motorists.
Asphalt responds differently. Instead of lifting, it softens as temperatures increase. Under the weight of thousands of vehicles, softened pavement can rut, deform, or crack. Over time, those weakened areas become more susceptible to potholes and other failures.
The Federal Highway Administration estimates that environmental factors such as temperature and moisture account for roughly 36 percent of pavement deterioration on flexible pavements over a 15-year period, even without unusually heavy traffic.
Why Air Temperature Doesn't Tell the Whole Story
A 95-degree day may not sound extraordinary, but the pavement is often much hotter than the surrounding air.
Dark asphalt absorbs solar radiation, and road surface temperatures can exceed 140 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit during sunny summer afternoons. Those temperatures accelerate pavement deterioration while placing additional stress on tires and vehicle components.
This is why transportation agencies closely monitor both air temperatures and pavement temperatures during prolonged heat waves.
What Drivers May Notice
During extended periods of extreme heat, drivers may encounter:
Raised sections of concrete pavement
Wavy or uneven road surfaces
Softened asphalt with visible ruts
Fresh pavement repairs or temporary lane closures
Rougher expansion joints than usual
Many of these conditions can develop after several consecutive days of high temperatures.
The Cost to Your Vehicle
Road damage doesn't have to result in a crash to become expensive.
Hitting a pavement buckle or deteriorated roadway can damage:
Tires
Wheels and rims
Suspension components
Steering systems
Vehicle alignment
The Federal Highway Administration notes that deteriorating pavement increases vehicle operating costs because rough roads accelerate wear on vehicles.
AAA has also documented the financial impact of poor road conditions. In one national survey, one in ten drivers reported paying for repairs after pothole damage, with repair costs averaging nearly $600.
While potholes are most often associated with winter weather, extreme summer heat can weaken pavement and worsen existing damage.
The heat itself can also affect your vehicle. High temperatures increase stress on cooling systems, batteries, belts, hoses, tires, and engine fluids. Underinflated tires are especially vulnerable because they generate more heat as they roll, increasing the risk of failure.
Should You Avoid Driving When It's Hot?
Not necessarily.
There is no specific temperature at which transportation agencies or vehicle manufacturers recommend that people stop driving a properly maintained passenger vehicle. Residents in states like Arizona, Nevada, and Texas routinely drive in temperatures well above 100 degrees.
Instead, experts recommend taking additional precautions as temperatures rise.
As a general guideline:
Air Temperature | What It Means for Drivers |
Below 90°F | Minimal heat-related concerns for a well-maintained vehicle. |
90–95°F | Heat begins placing additional stress on tires, batteries, cooling systems, and road surfaces. |
95–100°F | Risks increase, especially during long highway trips or stop-and-go traffic. Pavement temperatures may exceed 140°F. |
Above 100°F | Vehicle failures become more common, particularly for older or poorly maintained vehicles. Transportation agencies are also more likely to monitor roads for pavement softening and concrete buckling. |
If your vehicle has a history of overheating, worn tires, cooling system issues, or you're towing a heavy load, consider postponing non-essential trips until the cooler morning or evening hours. Otherwise, a properly maintained vehicle should handle hot weather without difficulty.
Could This Affect Your Auto Insurance?
Potentially, but not automatically.
If a damaged roadway causes an accident or damages your vehicle, whether insurance helps depends on the circumstances and the coverage you carry.
For example:
Damage from striking a pothole or pavement defect is often covered under collision coverage, subject to your deductible.
Filing a collision claim may affect future premiums depending on your insurer, state regulations, claims history, and the circumstances of the loss.
Minor damage may cost less than your deductible, making it practical to pay out of pocket.
There is no universal rule that one road hazard claim will increase insurance rates. Every insurer evaluates claims differently, and several factors determine whether premiums change. If your vehicle is damaged, it's worth speaking with your insurance company before making assumptions.
The Hidden Cost for Everyone
Even drivers who never hit a damaged roadway may eventually pay for extreme heat.
More frequent repairs mean state and local transportation departments must devote additional resources to maintaining highways, bridges, and local roads. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notes that rising temperatures increase maintenance needs because extreme heat can cause roads, runways, and rail lines to expand, soften, or buckle more frequently.
Those repairs are funded through a combination of fuel taxes, vehicle registration fees, transportation funding, and other public revenue sources. While it's difficult to attribute future tax increases directly to heat damage alone, increasing infrastructure maintenance costs place additional pressure on transportation budgets.
Six Ways to Protect Yourself During Extreme Heat
1. Give yourself more room.
Extra following distance gives you more time to spot pavement buckles, potholes, or emergency repairs before you reach them.
2. Slow down if the road looks unusual.
A raised or uneven section of pavement can upset your suspension or cause you to lose control, particularly at highway speeds.
3. Don't swerve suddenly to avoid road damage.
If you spot a pothole or damaged pavement, avoid making an abrupt steering correction. Swerving unexpectedly can create a greater crash risk than carefully driving over a smaller defect. If changing lanes is necessary, check traffic first and make a smooth, controlled maneuver.
4. Keep your tires properly inflated.
Check tire pressure at least once a month, preferably before driving while the tires are cold. Proper inflation reduces heat buildup and improves tire performance.
5. Watch your temperature gauge.
If your engine begins overheating, pull over safely as soon as possible. Continuing to drive can cause severe engine damage.
6. If temperatures exceed 100°F, consider adjusting your schedule.
You don't need to stay home, but if your trip is optional, driving during the cooler morning or evening hours can reduce stress on both your vehicle and the roadway, especially if you're driving an older vehicle or towing a trailer.
The Bottom Line
Extreme heat is becoming an increasingly important transportation challenge across much of the United States, including Virginia. While winter will always be tough on roads, prolonged summer heat is creating new hazards that many drivers don't expect.
The key takeaway isn't to avoid driving every time temperatures climb. It's to recognize that heat affects both your vehicle and the infrastructure beneath it. By maintaining your vehicle, watching for changing road conditions, and adjusting your driving during periods of extreme heat, you can reduce your risk of expensive repairs, accidents, and insurance claims.
Sometimes, the biggest danger during a heat wave isn't the temperature itself. It's what that heat is doing to the road beneath your tires.
Sources
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) – Impact of Environmental Factors on Pavement Performance in the Absence of Heavy Loads
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) – Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges, and Transit: Conditions and Performance Report
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Climate Change Impacts: Extreme Heat
AAA – Extreme Heat Presents Invisible Danger to Motorists and Vehicles
AAA – Protect People, Pets, and Vehicles from Extreme Heat
AAA – Potholes Pack a Punch as Drivers Pay $26.5 Billion in Related Vehicle Repairs
National Weather Service – Heat Safety