With traffic congestion costing the average U.S. driver 49 hours of their time each year, leading to hundreds of dollars in productivity losses, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its report on 2026's Best & Worst States to Drive In.
To determine the most driver-friendly states in the U.S., WalletHub compared the 50 states across 31 key metrics. The data set ranges from average gas prices to rush-hour traffic congestion to road quality.
Driving in New York (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
- Overall rank for New York: 24th
- 15th – Share of Rush-Hour Traffic Congestion
- 2nd – Traffic Fatality Rate
- 14th – Car Theft Rate
- 3rd – Auto-Repair Shops per Capita
- 36th – Avg. Gas Prices
- 45th – Auto-Maintenance Costs
- 32nd – Road Quality
- 6th – Car Dealerships per Capita
For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-states-to-drive-in/43012
Expert Commentary
What tips do you have for a person looking to keep the costs of car ownership low?
“Those looking for a new or replacement car need to research their next purchase. Sources like Edmund’s and Consumer Reports are free of hype and provide reliable data on vehicle features, performance, long-term costs, and mpg. Buyers should visit a dealer well informed and always test a few comparable models before committing to a purchase. They should ignore the so called ‘dealer pressure’. If they already own an expensive vehicle to run, then they can consider a swap with a low running cost model at a dealer, Carvana, etc. Typically, hybrids are more economical and many used EVs are on the market at a fairly low price. Gasoline affinity programs can save several cents per gallon. Research local websites and find reliable independent car repair shops; obtain at least two quotes for an expensive maintenance and/or part replacement job. Check the costs of parts at reliable Internet sites and compare. YouTube and similar sources provide useful tutorials for basic DIY car maintenance. Insurance can be expensive; comparing quotes for identical coverage every few years is prudent.”
Panos D. Prevedouros, PhD – Professor Emeritus, University of Hawaii at Mānoa
“Keeping car ownership costs low mainly comes down to controlling the biggest drivers of total cost of ownership: depreciation, fuel, insurance, and maintenance. A reliable strategy is to start with a vehicle choice that avoids steep depreciation and high repair risk, often a 3- to 6-year-old, high reliability, fuel efficient model, then finance it conservatively, with cash if feasible or a short-term loan, and keep it for a long time. Avoiding fast depreciating large luxury vehicles, and being cautious with segments where resale is unpredictable, often saves more over a decade than pursuing small fuel economy differences. Insurance costs can drop materially when treated as a recurring bill to optimize by selecting deductibles aligned with an emergency fund, shopping rates every couple of years, maintaining a clean driving record, and avoiding costly modifications that can raise premiums or complicate claims. Maintenance is another area where small habits prevent big bills; consistent preventive work on fluids, tires, and brakes reduces the likelihood of major failures and makes costs more predictable. Keeping a simple repair log helps identify patterns, compare rising annual repair totals against replacement costs, and decide rationally when it is time to replace the vehicle rather than continuing to spend. Finally, day-to-day operating costs can be trimmed without major lifestyle changes by driving smoothly, combining errands into fewer trips, and using fuel price comparison apps, with small efficiencies that compound across thousands of miles.”
Subasish Das, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Texas State University
What are your predictions for the automotive industry this year?
“This year, the automotive industry is likely to experience a moderation in electric vehicle (EV) adoption rates, driven in part by reduced or uncertain consumer incentives, higher interest rates, and concerns related to charging infrastructure availability. While EV sales will continue to grow, penetration is expected to be slower than previously projected, particularly in price-sensitive market segments. At the same time, the industry is expected to see increased deployment of autonomous vehicle technologies, primarily through limited, application-specific use cases. Expanded operations of robotaxi services, autonomous shuttles, and pilot programs are anticipated in additional cities and states. Companies such as Waymo and Tesla are expected to continue scaling geofenced autonomous services, reflecting growing regulatory confidence and technological maturity in controlled environments.”
Arman Sargolzaei, PhD – Assistant Professor, University of South Florida
“Due to component scarcity, negotiated union raises and tariffs, most manufacturers have a major ‘MSRP problem.’ In addition, major domestic manufacturers had to make substantial EV related write-offs, in the billions of dollars, due to national policy changes. As a result, new vehicles are very costly, and their cost is not likely to be reduced this year. Therefore, sales will be flat or decreasing, and profits will be lower. Also, some consumers may downsize by selecting smaller, less profitable cars or trucks.”
Panos D. Prevedouros, PhD – Professor Emeritus, University of Hawaii at Mānoa
What are the top aspects that make a state more “driver-friendly”?
“A state is considered more driver-friendly when it combines safe, efficient, and cost-effective mobility through well-maintained infrastructure, effective traffic management, and supportive policies. High-quality roadway design, clear signage, and consistent maintenance reduce vehicle wear and crash risk, while the integration of smart transportation technologies improves traffic flow and situational awareness. In addition, lower traffic congestion, supported by intelligent congestion management and robust public transportation systems, reduces travel time and driver stress while offering viable alternatives to private vehicle use. Rapid incident detection and response systems, including automated crash reporting and coordinated emergency services, minimize secondary crashes and delays, and make the state more driver friendly. From a cost-of-ownership perspective, a state is considered more driver-friendly when it offers conditions that contribute to lower insurance premiums and reduced financial risk for drivers. Finally, traveler information and advisory systems that provide real-time updates on traffic, weather, and road conditions further enhance safety, reliability, and overall driving experience.”
Arman Sargolzaei, PhD – Assistant Professor, University of South Florida
“A ‘driver friendly’ state is best defined by safe, predictable, and low-stress travel rather than high speed limits. Empirically, that maps to (i) low fatality and serious-injury rates per vehicle-miles traveled, (ii) reliable travel times with manageable congestion, and (iii) well-maintained pavement and roadway surfaces. A practical ‘driver friendly’ lens also includes EV charging availability and reliability along corridors, since national evidence shows meaningful reliability and access disparities that directly affect trip confidence for EV drivers.”
Subasish Das, Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, Texas State University