Although many younger adults are postponing car ownership and driving less, millions of Americans still rely on the road daily, making driving conditions a meaningful factor in day-to-day well-being. WalletHub recently ranked the best states to drive within in the United States.
“This study shows that the best states for drivers are the ones that make everyday car ownership less expensive, less stressful, and safer,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo tells Realtor.com®.
Americans spent an average of 49 hours sitting in traffic last year. That reality highlights how strongly location and driving conditions can influence overall quality of life.
WalletHub evaluated all 50 states using four primary criteria: ownership and maintenance costs (such as average gas prices and auto insurance premiums); traffic and infrastructure (including rush-hour congestion levels and average commute times); safety (measured by factors such as traffic fatality rates and vehicle theft rates); and access to vehicles and upkeep services (including the number of car dealerships and auto-repair shops per capita).
“Overall, the top 10 states tend to be less congested, more affordable to drive in, and safer, showing that drivers benefit most in places where infrastructure keeps pace with demand and the total cost of driving stays manageable,” says Lupo.
Vermont named the best state to drive in
Vermont took the No. 1 spot for the best state to drive in, in part due to the success it’s had in decreasing deaths on the road, according to WalletHub.
“Vermont reduced traffic fatalities by nearly 10% year over year,” says Lupo.
Vermont also leads the nation in having the fewest motor vehicle thefts per capita.
Additionally, Vermont has the lowest rate of phone-related driving incidents and the fifth-lowest rate of harsh braking, and only 11.8% of drivers there are uninsured.
Iowa ranked second
Lupo tells Realtor.com that Iowa combines relatively low congestion (ranked sixth) with strong road quality (ranking 12th in Total Extra Vehicle Operating Costs per Driver) and some of the strictest driving laws (ranked eighth).
Iowa also ranks among the safest states, with the 10th-lowest rate of larceny and the 11th-lowest rate of motor vehicle theft per capita.
The state supports affordability as well, ranking 10th-lowest in average car insurance rates and 12th-lowest in miscellaneous vehicle operating costs.
Kansas nabbed third place
WalletHub named Kansas the third-best state for drivers, due in large part to the quality and safety of its roads.
Kansas ranks second in the nation for road quality, and well-maintained highways play a key role in reducing crash risk. The state’s flat terrain also makes roadway upkeep more manageable. Driver behavior further supports safety, with Kansas posting the sixth-lowest rate of speeding and relatively low levels of aggressive acceleration and harsh braking.
“Kansas also benefits from the seventh-lowest traffic congestion rate and an average commute time just over 20 minutes, despite having extensive roadway mileage,” says Lupo.
The 10 best states for driving
1. Vermont
Median listing price: $489,000
Vermont ranks among the most affordable states for drivers, with the third-lowest average car insurance rates nationwide, the fourth-lowest auto maintenance costs, and the second-lowest miscellaneous vehicle operating expenses.
2. Iowa
Median listing price: $269,450
Iowa makes car ownership easy, with above-average access to gas stations, auto dealerships, repair shops, and car washes.
3. Kansas
Median listing price: $280,945
Kansas ranks 12th-lowest in average gas prices and fifth-lowest in miscellaneous vehicle operating costs.
4. Nebraska
Median listing price: $329,900
The Cornhusker State ranks eighth nationwide for overall traffic conditions and infrastructure quality.
5. Indiana
Median listing price: $284,700
Indiana—home to Carmel, IN, the “Roundabout Capital of the United States“—ranks 10th-lowest for car ownership and maintenance expenses.
6. Florida
Median listing price: $425,000
Given Florida’s strong car culture, the state ranks second nationally for access to vehicles and auto maintenance.
7. Alabama
Median listing price: $325,000
Rush-hour traffic is relatively light in Alabama, placing it 10th-lowest in rush-hour congestion nationwide.
8. Tennessee
Median listing price: $424,450
Affordability is a major advantage in Tennessee, which leads the nation in the lowest costs for car ownership and maintenance.
9. North Carolina
Median listing price: $399,900
In North Carolina, 95.8% of drivers “always or nearly always” wear their seatbelt, the sixth-highest rate in the nation.
10. Minnesota
Median listing price: $367,000
Minnesota has one of the lowest traffic fatality rates in the country, placing it sixth overall.
