Permanent deformation or rutting is a major hot mix asphalt (HMA) performance distress. Implementation of the Superior Performing Asphalt Pavement (Superpave) HMA mix design system was due, in part, to limit HMA rutting. Along with the Superpave system, performance testing equipment was developed to evaluate rutting potential; however, this equipment proved largely ineffective. As a result, agencies developed their own performance equipment, with the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer (APA) currently being used by many agencies for HMA rutting evaluation. The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is utilizing the APA to evaluate HMA performance, but does not currently have established pass/fail criteria. Field rutting analysis and coring were conducted for twentyour pavements throughout Mississippi to determine in-service performance. Asphalt pavement analyzer testing was conducted on field cores and lab prepared specimens to evaluate mix characteristic influence on rutting and to develop APA failure criteria.