Ranking the Best, Worst States for Driving
Head West for the best motoring experiences, report finds...
Ever wondered which U.S. states offer the best driving experiences, or how each state stacks up in terms of road quality, traffic and safety?
A recent study by mechanicbase.com provides some insights, examining various driving conditions across the United States. Utah is the clear winner, boasting the lowest congestion, fewest fatalities, affordable gas prices and high-quality roads.
In contrast, New York brings up the rear with congested roads, poor infrastructure and high driving costs.
Mechanicbase.com assessed driving conditions in all 50 US states using 10 key criteria, each assigned a weighted score between 40 and 100 for its impact on the driving experience. The individual scores were then normalized and aggregated to produce a final composite score, ranging from 40 to 85, that provides a comprehensive overview of each state’s driving conditions.
Major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, New York City and Chicago have heavy traffic congestion, negatively impacting their overall scores. Gas prices were also a major determinant, with Western states benefiting from cheaper fuel while Northeastern states pay a premium.
The study used data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, World Population Review, the Reason Foundation’s Annual Highway Report, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuel Data Center, AAA Gas Prices, the United States Census Bureau, the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System and a study from Insurify.
Key Findings
- Short Commutes: Utah, Nebraska and North Dakota have the shortest average commute times, under 25 minutes
- Safety Variance: Utah and Hawaii have low fatality rates, while Arizona and North Dakota are higher
- Gas Prices: Nevada and Arizona offer low gas prices, while Hawaii is on the expensive side
- High Fatality Rates: Mississippi and Arkansas have extremely high traffic fatality rates, at 24.4 and 20.5 per 100,000 residents, respectively
- Congestion: New Jersey and New York suffer from the longest average commute times, exceeding 30 minutes. They also have high numbers of registered vehicles, adding to congestion
- Weather Impact: Maine and New York face severe weather conditions, with annual average snowfall exceeding 50 inches, affecting road safety and maintenance
Top 10 Best States to Drive In the U.S.
- Utah
Utah leads the ranking with a final score of 85. The state impresses with 80% of its road area deemed acceptable and 99.2% in good or fair condition. The safety record is strong, with 8.7 fatalities per 100,000 people. Congestion isn’t a major issue either, with an average commute time of just 22 minutes. The state also offers 1,992 alternative fuel stations and has a relatively low motor vehicle theft rate of 242.6 per 100,000. The average yearly costs for insurance, tax, gas and maintenance stand at $4,946.
- Nevada
Nevada scores 83.9, boasting excellent road quality with 85.7% acceptable roads and 99% in good and fair condition. While the fatality rate is a bit higher at 10.9 per 100,000, the state doesn’t suffer much from congestion. Nevada also benefits from a lower gas price of $3.8 per liter and has 1,624 alternative fuel stations. The motor vehicle theft rate is relatively high at 440 per 100,000, and the average annual cost for vehicle-related expenses is $6,315.
- Hawaii
Hawaii takes third place with a score of 77.7. The state’s roads are 60% acceptable and 97.3% good and fair, but what sets it apart is the climate 27.5 inches of annual precipitation and virtually no snow. Hawaii also boasts an impressively low fatality rate of 6.6 per 100,000. Overall average commute time isn’t terrible here, it’s 27.1 minutes. The gas prices are relatively high at $4.8 per liter, but the average yearly cost for vehicle expenses is lower at $3,812. Hawaii has 928 alternative fuel stations and a lower motor vehicle theft rate of 295.2 per 100,000.
- Nebraska
Nebraska scores 77.5, excelling in road quality with 92.9% of roads in acceptable condition and 95.3% rated good and fair. The state experiences a moderate climate with 19.4 inches of snowfall. The fatality rate is higher at 11.9 per 100,000, but the state offers a shorter average commute time of 18.9 minutes with only 14.7 peak hours spent in congestion. With a gas price of $3.6 per liter, Nebraska also offers a reasonable annual cost of $4,717 for vehicle-related expenses.
- North Dakota
North Dakota earns a score of 77.1, with an impressive 94.1% of roads in acceptable condition and 94.4% in good and fair shape. While the fatality rate is a bit higher at 12.9 per 100,000, commuters enjoy the lowest peak hours in congestion at 8.6 and an average commute time of 17.6 minutes. The state has gas prices at $3.9 per liter and an average yearly vehicle expense of $4,533.
- Arizona
Arizona comes in with a score of 75.9. Its roads are 77.5% acceptable and 98.9% good and fair. The state benefits from a drier climate, with 12.6 inches of annual precipitation and only 5.1 inches of snowfall. The fatality rate is higher at 14.9 per 100,000, but it offers a significant number of alternative fuel stations at 3,144. Gas is relatively cheap at $3.5 per liter, but the yearly cost for vehicle-related expenses is higher at $4,854. Arizona also has a notably low motor vehicle theft rate of 81.1 per 100,000.
- Idaho
Idaho earns a score of 75.7, with 90.2% of roads considered acceptable and 96.1% rated good and fair. The state has a moderate climate, experiencing 21 inches of annual precipitation and 24.5 inches of snowfall. The fatality rate is at 12.8 per 100,000. Gas prices stand at $3.6 per liter, and the annual vehicle expense is $4,298. Idaho has 450 alternative fuel stations and a low motor vehicle theft rate of 87.6 per 100,000.
- Kansas
Kansas receives a score of 72.8. Road quality is good, with 88.6% of roads in acceptable condition and 96.8% good and fair. The state has a wetter climate with 27.3 inches of annual precipitation but only 10.7 inches of snowfall. The fatality rate is 14.3 per 100,000. Gas costs $3.6 per liter, and the average annual vehicle-related cost is $4,637. Kansas offers 1,237 alternative fuel stations and has a moderate motor vehicle theft rate of 193.5 per 100,000.
- Wisconsin
Wisconsin scores 71.5. Its roads are 74.8% acceptable and 95.5% in good and fair condition. The state experiences a harsher climate with 29.9 inches of annual precipitation and a high 32.4 inches of snowfall. The fatality rate is lower at 10.2 per 100,000. Gas costs $3.7 per liter, and the average annual vehicle-related expense is $4,271. Wisconsin offers 1,534 alternative fuel stations and has a higher motor vehicle theft rate of 270.7 per 100,000.
- Minnesota
Minnesota rounds out the top 10 with a score of 69.9. It offers 90.7% acceptable roads and 95% in good and fair condition. The state faces a colder climate with 23.8 inches of annual precipitation
Bottom 10 Best States to Drive In the U.S.
- New York
New York ranks the worst for driving due to extreme congestion, especially in NYC, and has an overall score of 40. The state also suffers from poorly maintained roads and hazardous winter conditions. High gas prices and a lengthy average commute time of 33.5 minutes add to the misery.
- Rhode Island
Rhode Island scores 42.6, plagued by heavy congestion and an average commute time of over 25 minutes. Aging infrastructure and steep gas prices make it the second-worst state for drivers. Winters are harsh and annual average precipitation is high.
- West Virginia
West Virginia ranks third-worst with a score of 42.7. It has one of the highest fatality rates in the U.S. and poor road maintenance. The average commute time is 26.1 minutes, and gas prices are slightly above the U.S. median.
- Massachusetts
Massachusetts scores 43.4, burdened by severe congestion in the Boston area and aging infrastructure. Winters are harsh, contributing to poor driving conditions. The average commute time is 30 minutes, and gas prices are high at $3.8 per liter.
- Mississippi
Mississippi ranks fifth-worst with a score of 44.3. It faces a high occurrence of traffic fatalities and deteriorating roads due to funding shortfalls. Despite lower gas prices, the state’s average commute time is 25.2 minutes.
- Illinois
Illinois has a score of 46, primarily due to heavy congestion around Chicago and high gas prices. Winters are brutal, affecting road conditions and visibility. The average commute time stands at 29 minutes.
- Louisiana
Louisiana scores 48, suffering from aging infrastructure and high rates of auto insurance fraud. Flooding and storms frequently damage the roads. The state does offer lower gas prices but has a high highway fatality rate of 18.1 per 100k.
- New Jersey
New Jersey ranks eighth with a score of 50.2. It has the longest average commute time at 32 minutes and is the most densely populated state. High gas prices and poor road maintenance further make it unfavorable for drivers.
- Maine
Maine has a score of 50.4, primarily affected by long winters and aging infrastructure. Gas prices are high, and the state has a high rate of highway fatalities. However, it does have minimal congestion, offering a slight relief to drivers.
- Arkansas
Arkansas rounds out the list with a score of 52.8. It faces increasing congestion and a high rate of traffic fatalities. Despite shorter-than-average commute times and reasonable gas prices, the state’s road maintenance is deemed inadequate.
