Updated on: 2/13/2019
The most recent data is in: Washington state is the second-worst state to drive in.
According to a 2018 study by Wallethub – a personal finance website – Washington ranked 49th in the country. The study used a variety of factors to determine the most positive driving experiences. The criteria used 23 indicators, including everything from number of car accidents to average gas prices to road quality.
According to the study, the worst state to drive in is Hawaii, and the best is Texas.
Top 5 States To Drive In
1. Texas (63.68)
2. Kansas (63.56)
3. Nebraska (63.09)
4. Iowa (62.48)
5. North Carolina (61.72)
Bottom 5 States To Drive In
46. Connecticut (48.67)
47. California (48.60)
48. Maryland (48.31)
49. Washington (44.08)
50. Hawaii (31.83)
The study compared the 50 states across four key dimensions: 1) Cost of Ownership & Maintenance, 2) Traffic & Infrastructure, 3) Safety and 4) Access to Vehicles & Maintenance.
Washington ranked 45th in cost of ownership, 39th in traffic and infrastructure, 36th in safety and 17th in access to vehicles and maintenance.
In June 2017, the same company conducted a study examining the country’s best and worst states for teen drivers. Washington came in at No. 5 in that study, with the country best ranking for teen driver laws. Seattle ranked 96th out of 100 cities in the U.S. for driving.
