Best and worst states to drive in

[locost7018]

With U.S. traffic congestion costing the average driver $1,400 per year and the U.S. ranked 13th in the world in road quality, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2018's Best & Worst States to Drive in.

 

To determine the most driver-friendly states in the U.S., WalletHub compared the 50 states across 23 key metrics. The data set ranges from average gas prices to share of rush-hour traffic congestion to road quality.

 

Best States for Driving Worst States for Driving

1 Texas 41 New York

2 Kansas 42 New Jersey

3 Nebraska 43 Rhode Island

4 Iowa 44 Massachusetts

5 North Carolina 45 Alaska

6 Oregon 46 Connecticut

7 Georgia 47 California

8 Alabama 48 Maryland

9 Arkansas 49 Washington

10 Illinois 50 Hawaii

 

Best vs. Worst

 

Mississippi has the lowest share of rush-hour traffic congestion, 13 percent, which is 6.5 times lower than in California, the state with the highest at 85 percent.

 

Missouri has the lowest average regular gas price, $2.266 per gallon, which is 1.5 times lower than in Hawaii, the state with the highest at $3.301 per gallon.

 

Vermont has the fewest car thefts (per 1,000 residents), 0.45, which is 12.5 times fewer than in New Mexico, the state with the most at 5.64.

 

California has the most auto-repair shops (per square root of the population), 1.4653, which is 7.2 times more than in Alaska, the state with the fewest at 0.2027.

 

Maine has the lowest average car insurance rate, $925, which is 2.7 times lower than in Michigan, the state with the highest at $2,484.

 

 

To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:

https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-states-to-drive-in/43012/

 

Please let me know if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a phone, Skype or in-studio interview with one of our experts. Full data sets for specific states are also available upon request.

 

 

Best,

Diana Popa

WalletHub Communications Manager

(202) 684-6386

 

 

More from WalletHub

 

Best & Worst Cities to Drive in

Best & Worst States for Teen Drivers

Best & Worst Cities for Staycations

Auto Insurance & Credit Score Report

Strictest And Most Lenient States On DUI

[panamericano]

Do I read that correctly? Texas #1. OK, 47th in education, but #1 in roads? It must be biased towards miles, as we have a lot of those. But, best for driving? Only if you're asleep. All straight lines. You could count the curves on one hand per day. Not the best for car nuts. Great in a cop-spec company car, but sucks in a Birkin.

[Spyker 207]

New York is exactly the opposite. Who cares about the city congestion. Go up to the Catskill mountains, and I can drive for an hour, and only see three cars. No straight road in sight....

[Lucky-7]

I live in the Pennsylvania Wilds region. You can travel all day at times and never see another car. Or a straightaway!:party:

[slomove]

Yes, L.A. traffic is kind of interesting:

 

But then, this is only a few miles away:

 

[Jesse D]

Come to Maine, though I'll admit you will want to pick your season, and right now is not the season.

[coffee break]

Georgia #7, hmmm. It takes an hour to get across Atlanta on a good day. At least I'm on the north side and can escape to the northern boondocks for 2 lane enjoyment.

[Croc]

I am sort of surprised that NJ is not worse than 42? After all my daily evening commute takes a minimum 1 hour to go 8 miles. Public transport would take me 2 hours... A quick trip to the shops is always an hour long ordeal. Thank goodness for home delivery - Amazon, Blue Apron, Fresh Direct, etc. I suspect the southern forgotten land part of NJ helped improve the averages.

 

I second Maine - I loved my time driving (and living) there. Can't wait to move back when I retire.

Edited January 27, 2018 by Croc

[xcarguy]

Kansas #2...I suppose curvy roads didn’t get factored in. Nothing against Kansas, but we’re not exactly a ‘straight line’ bunch around here.

Edited January 27, 2018 by xcarguy

[locost7018]

Yeah I don't think they factored that in. They don't know what fun is.

[MightyMike]

Colorado is really a bad state to live and drive in. :jester: I'm surprised it didn't make the worst driving list.

 

Please tell all of your friends who may be considering moving here. :seeya:

[locost7018]

I loved driving in Colo. That was a fun place (except for that little town of Ward, Co).

[xcarguy]

I loved driving in Colo. . . . (except for that little town of Ward, Co).

 

OK, what happened in Ward?

[Croc]

Oh they can get feisty there! You city folk have to watch yourselves in them funny little critters you drive.

 

Pity as that is a great driving road. That was one of the shake down drives for my CSR before I shipped it east.

[Kitcat]

Don't tell YellowSS, but most of the good states are "red" states, whilst most of the bad ones are "blue". He is likely to see some sort of imaginary anti-regulation/anti-government vindication in there somewhere:).

 

Spyker-I like your roads. They seem to be filled with other Spykers!

 

It does seem that the authors of this study missed the whole point of driving. It is not to get from point A to point B in the straightest possible line (like Texas-which has the added bonus of many miles of 80 mph interstate). Instead it is to be entertained and invigorated by the challenge of piloting one's vehicle over hill, dale, curve and apex. Throw in some scenery, put the top down and that place hits #1 in my book (even if I do end up right back where I started:)).

[locost7018]

Here is some more for you guys to ponder>

https://quotewizard.com/news/posts/best-and-worst-drivers-by-state-2017

[slomove]

Fake News! That is a totally discredited source. According to my alternate facts, California has the best drivers ever (maybe except some not named minorities from far away countries...)! Period. :jester:

 

Here is some more for you guys to ponder>

https://quotewizard.com/news/posts/best-and-worst-drivers-by-state-2017

Edited January 29, 2018 by slomove

[Spyker 207]

Spyker-I like your roads. They seem to be filled with other Spykers!

 

Usually it is not that busy 😎