Personal finance website WalletHub released its list of the Best and Worst States to Drive in 2024.
When comparing all 50 states, WalletHub used 31 key metrics to find out which states were “driver friendly. Their data consisted of average gas prices to rush-hour traffic congestion to road quality.
Best States for Driving:
1. Iowa
2. Georgia
3. Kansas
4. Oklahoma
5. Alabama
6. North Carolina
7. Ohio
8. Tennessee
9. Texas
10. North Dakota
Florida came in at number 16.
Worst States for Driving
41. Montana
42. Vermont
43. Rhode Island
44. Nevada
45. Massachusetts
46. California
47. West Virginia
48. Delaware
49. Washington
50. Hawaii
WalletHub’s findings also noted that New Hampshire has the fewest car thefts per capita, Colorado, which has the most. On car insurance, Ohio has the lowest average car insurance rate while Florida has the highest.
WalletHub Analyst Cassandra Happe says Iowa is the best state to drive in partly because the roads are mostly clear of congestion, even during rush hour.
“When people think about the costs associated with owning a vehicle, things like regular maintenance, insurance and gas typically come to mind,” Happe said.
Happe points out the good road in that state benefit drivers because they have shorter commutes, and they benefit from some of the lowest gas and car insurance prices in the nation.
“What many people don’t realize is that traffic congestion can also be extremely costly because of the amount of time it wastes, which is why the best states for driving tend to be sparsely populated. Factors like safety and the quality of roads are key, too.”
