No matter where you reside, driving can be quite troublesome. Traffic jams, coupled with expensive fuel and insurance costs, along with hazardous weather conditions, make getting to work a difficult task.
Believing that your city or state has the highest stress level for driving in the nation is as quintessentially American as enjoying a slice of apple pie. However, if you seek concrete evidence indicating whether your state ranks among the toughest or easiest places to drive, you're in luck.
A recent study has ranked the most and least stressful states for motorists nationwide, and the findings might astonish you. The researchers from Underwood Law Firm analyzed costs, weather and natural hazards , infrastructure and commuting, along with accessibility for vehicles and maintenance to reach the outcomes.
The team developed 18 distinct criteria and assigned varying importance levels to each—infrastructure and commuting held the highest weight. Following this, they calculated an overall score and subsequently ranked all 50 states from top to bottom.
These are the least favorable states for driving:
Worst states
1. South Carolina
This particular state ranks as the toughest or most stressful place for motorists due to subpar roadways and bridges, an elevated number of drivers without insurance, and one of the nation’s highest traffic fatality rates, which stands at 26.21 fatalities per 100,000 individuals.
In the state, there are 387 DUI arrests for every 100,000 licensed drivers. Additionally, residents in this state, often called the Palmetto state, have an average commute duration of 25.50 minutes.
Motorists may also face financial strain due to substantial annual insurance premiums of around $1,812 and typical maintenance expenses totaling about $396. Despite this, the state boasts relatively inexpensive gasoline at $2.87 per liter.
2. Colorado
The mountainous state, renowned for its stunning scenery across the nation, ranks second — albeit due to distinct factors. In Colorado, the incidence of vehicle theft is notably high, reaching 731 cases per 100,000 individuals; meanwhile, overall property crime stands at approximately 2,000 incidents per 100,000 people.
High insurance expenses, with an average of $2,892 annually, were another issue afflicting the state.
In Colorado, one of the higher rates of DUI arrests among all states can be observed, standing at 536 for every 100,000 licensed drivers. Consequently, this state experiences a somewhat above-average proportion of fatalities during rush hours, which accounts for about 27.79 percent of such incidents.
3. Louisiana
In Louisiana The roads rank as the 48th worst among all 50 states, which doesn’t provide much clarity since the average commute time is only marginally above the national norm at 26 minutes. Furthermore, the study reveals that the state’s bridge quality stands at an unsatisfactory 38.74 percent.
Auto insurance costs are among the highest across the country, averaging around $2,989 annually. Despite these steep prices, the percentage of drivers without coverage remains relatively low at approximately 13.7 percent.
However, the state boasts a low DUI rate of 178 arrests per 100,000 drivers.
4. Arkansas
In Arkansas, the state's traffic fatality rate stands at 27.87 per 100,000 residents, placing it amongst the top in the country for such incidents. Approximately one-quarter (28.14 percent) of these fatalities occur during peak travel times. Even though much of the state has a countryside character, the typical commute duration is somewhat shorter compared to numerous other regions. This averages out to about 22.2 minutes for both University of Arkansas sports fans—known as "Razorbacks"—and other inhabitants of Arkansas.
Drivers do have relatively good gas prices at $2.82 per liter, but high insurance costs - at $2,314 per year - eat away at the savings.
5. Delaware
Despite having an extremely low rate of DUI arrests (just 43 per 100,000 licensed drivers) and holding 16th place for best roads in the U.S., Delaware still manages to round out the top five worst states for drivers.
Overall, traffic fatalities are lower compared to the other top four causes, however, this particular state boasts the highest number of rush hour traffic deaths among all 50 states, accounting for 31.62%. Wet and slippery road conditions could contribute to this issue since the area experiences substantial rainfall annually, averaging around 56.82 inches.
Moreover, gasoline costs $2.97 per liter; however, locals have greater availability of alternative fuels at approximately 67.89 stations for every 100,000 individuals.
Best states
1. New Hampshire
On the opposite end of the spectrum, drivers in New Hampshire benefit from minimal crime and accidents, well-maintained roadways, budget-friendly insurance premiums, and initiatives aimed at eradicating vehicular deaths—yielding a rank of 50 out of 50 as the best state for motorists, essentially making it the top spot.
New Hampshire’s "Driving Toward Zero" initiative seeks to eradicate fatal and severe injury collisions by 2050. Unlike more urban regions, state-wide motorists face less concern over a surge in cyclists and pedestrians, resulting in fewer accidents affecting these at-risk road users.
The roads rank as the finest within the nation, with more than fifty percent of the state’s bridges considered to be in excellent condition. Furthermore, New Hampshire boasts the lowest rate of car thefts per person, standing at merely 53.75 cases for every 100,000 residents.
2. Vermont
The scenery features vistas of mountains, valleys, and picturesque villages. Vermont ranks as the top choice for motorists in the U.S., thanks partly to low crime rates, robust economic stability, and comprehensive road safety measures. It has implemented initiatives such as "Drive Well Vermont," which encourages responsible driving habits and tackles issues related to distracted and intoxicated driving.
The state ranks third for best roads in America, with 52.1 percent of its bridges assessed as good quality, and Vermont has a traffic fatality weight of just 15.89 per 100,000 drivers.
Moreover, Vermont stands out in terms of alternative fuel infrastructure, making it appealing for eco-conscious motorists.
3. Idaho
Although Idaho is most recognized for growing the highest volume of potatoes in the nation, it also ranks as having some of the best road conditions, placing fifth nationally. Additionally, the state has low rates of speeding incidents and one of the smallest proportions of drivers without insurance, standing at just 6.2%.
On the ice storm and high wind indices, Idaho has very low scores, sitting at 3.1 percent in the former category, and 7.2 percent in the latter.
Between 2021 and 2022, state officials successfully managed to decrease deaths on the road by almost 20 percent, though this number did rise again by almost 25 percent in 2023.
4. Wyoming
The Cowboy state came in fourth for being the best for drivers, a considerable comeback considering historically it’s been one of the worst states for high fatalities, traffic congestion and dangerous weather conditions. However, Wyoming also has had some of the highest DUI rates, with 756 out of 100,000 drivers.
The average gas price in the state sat at $3.021 per liter, which was on the higher end.
The state has low traffic volume, good road infrastructure and zero toll roads.
5. Maine
Wrapping up the compilation of leading commuter states, Maine stands out with its sparse population density, excellent road conditions, and more affordable gasoline costs relative to many other regions. Notably, the state boasts the most economical car maintenance expenses across the country, amounting to just $349 on average.
The area has the lowest car theft rate at 68.14 per 100,000 residents statewide and a larceny rate of only 931.4 per 100,000 people.
For individuals looking for picturesque drives, Maine provides ideal pathways with stunning glimpses of the Atlantic coast along with quaint fishing villages.
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