10 Best States to Drive in
Although many younger adults are delaying car ownership and driving less, millions of Americans still rely on the road every day, making driving conditions a meaningful factor in daily well-being. WalletHub recently ranked as the best states to drive within the United States.
“This study shows that the best conditions for drivers are those that make everyday car ownership cheaper, less stressful and safer,” said WalletHub analyst. Chip Lupo tells Realtor.com®.
Americans spent an average of 49 hours in traffic last year. This reality shows how greatly location and driving conditions can impact overall quality of life.
WalletHub rated all 50 states using four primary criteria: ownership and maintenance costs (such as average gas prices and car insurance premiums); traffic and infrastructure (including peak-hour congestion levels and average journey times); safety (measured by factors such as the number of traffic fatalities and the number of car thefts); and access to vehicles and maintenance services (including the number of car dealers and car repair shops per capita).
“Overall, the top ten states are less congested, more affordable to drive in, and safer, showing that drivers benefit most where infrastructure keeps pace with demand and the overall cost of driving remains manageable,” Lupo says.
Vermont named the best state to drive in
According to WalletHub, Vermont ranks No. 1 for the best state to drive in, thanks in part to the country’s success in reducing traffic fatalities.
“Vermont reduced traffic fatalities by almost 10% year over year,” Lupo said.
Vermont also leads the nation in having the fewest car thefts per capita.
Additionally, Vermont has the lowest number of phone-related driving incidents and the fifth-lowest rate of hard braking, and only 11.8% of drivers there are uninsured.
Iowa was in second place
Lupo tells Realtor.com that Iowa combines relatively low traffic congestion (ranked sixth) with good road quality (ranked 12th in total excess operating costs per driver) and some of the strictest driving laws (ranked eighth).
Iowa also ranks among the safest states, with the tenth lowest theft rate and the eleventh lowest car theft rate per capita.
The state also supports affordability, ranking 10th in average auto insurance rates and 12th in miscellaneous vehicle operating costs.
Kansas took third place
WalletHub named Kansas the third best state for drivers, thanks 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 road maintenance more manageable. Driver behavior further contributes to safety, with Kansas recording the sixth lowest speed rating and relatively low levels of aggressive acceleration and hard braking.
“Kansas also benefits from the seventh-lowest rate of traffic congestion and an average travel time of just over 20 minutes, despite many roadway miles being traveled,” Lupo said.
The 10 Best States for Driving
1. Vermont
Median offer price: $489,000
Vermont is among the most affordable states for drivers, with the third-lowest average auto insurance rates nationwide, the fourth-lowest car maintenance costs, and the second-lowest miscellaneous vehicle operating costs.
2. Iowa
Median offer price: $269,450
Iowa makes car ownership easy, with above-average access to gas stations, car dealerships, repair shops and car washes.
3. Kansas
Median offer price: $280,945
Kansas ranks twelfth in average gasoline prices and fifth in miscellaneous vehicle operating costs.
4.Nebraska
Median offer price: $329,900
The Cornhusker State ranks eighth nationally in overall traffic conditions and infrastructure quality.
5.Indiana
Median offer price: $284,700
Indiana – home to Carmel, IN, the “Roundabout Capital of the United States” – ranks 10th in car ownership and maintenance costs.
6. Florida
Median offer price: $425,000
Given Florida’s strong car culture, the state ranks second nationally in vehicle access and car maintenance.
7. Alabama
Median offer price: $325,000
Rush hour traffic is relatively light in Alabama, ranking it 10th nationally for peak hour congestion.
8. Tennessee
Median offer price: $424,450
Affordability is a big advantage in Tennessee, which leads the nation in lowest costs for car ownership and maintenance.
9. North Carolina
Median offer price: $399,900
In North Carolina, 95.8% of drivers “always or almost always” wear their seat belts, the sixth highest rate in the country.
10. Minnesota
Median offer price: $367,000
Minnesota has one of the lowest traffic fatalities in the country, ranking sixth overall.
