According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 87 percent of Americans use personal vehicles for their daily commute and 91 percent drive to work. Commuting by car offers comfort and convenience, but driving conditions can significantly affect everyday travel. Key factors like road quality, traffic, fuel prices, and commute time determine how driver-friendly a city is. While some cities pose significant challenges, others offer an enjoyable and smooth driving experience.
The personal finance website Wallet Hub conducted a study comparing 100 U.S. cities on various factors to know the best and worst places to drive in.
5 Worst Cities to Drive In
Oakland, CA
Oakland is ranked as the worst city to drive in, scoring only 38.14 on the list. The City witnessed the highest number of fatal crashes in 2021, with 42,915 people killed. It also ranks second worst in car ownership and sixth for the highest gas prices, at $4.52 per gallon. Oakland also experiences high traffic congestion, with drivers spending an average of 97 hours in traffic each year.
Additionally, the city has the highest car stolen rate in the nation, with one car stolen for every 30 residents, totalling nearly 15,000 stolen cars last year. Poor road conditions, frequent accidents, high theft rates, and high gas prices make the city challenging for drivers.
San Francisco, CA
With a score of 38.15, San Francisco is the second worst City to drive in. It has the highest gas prices in the country, averaging $4.72 per gallon, and the highest auto maintenance costs. Car ownership in San Francisco is particularly challenging, as drivers face increased fuel expenses due to high traffic congestion. This traffic congestion contributes to the City ranking fourth for longer commute times, averaging over 32 minutes. Additionally, the city experiences a high car theft rate, with nearly 700 thefts for every 100,000 residents.
Detroit, MI
Detroit scores 38.87 below San Francisco, making it one of the worst cities to drive in. It has the lowest safety score at 99 due to the high number of crashes; in 2023, Detroit experienced 287,953 crashes, resulting in 1,095 fatalities. The City ranks fifth for the worst roads among large urban areas, leading to thousands of complaints every year about damage caused by potholes. Further, the one-way commute time in Detroit is 25 minutes 8 seconds, a few seconds below the U.S. average of 26.4 minutes.
Washington, DC
With a score of 40.47, Washington, DC, ranks as the fourth worst City to drive in. The City has a safety score of 93 and the highest rate of accident likelihood compared to the national average. It is the second worst traffic in the nation, with drivers losing nearly 86 hours in traffic congestion in 2023. Additionally, the City reported 22,000 motor vehicle collisions in 2022, resulting in 300 deaths.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles ranks fifth on the list, with a score of 40.68. The City has the sixth worst traffic, with drivers losing an average of 89 hours per year in congestion. The road conditions are poor, earning the city the worst rank for road roughness. The City experienced 1 traffic fatality every 30 hours, leading to a high accident rate. Additionally, It has high gas prices and the worst number of auto repair shops per capita.
Top 5 Best Cities to Drive In
Corpus Christi, TX
Corpus Christi, TX, topped the list of the best cities to drive in, scoring 68.50. It offers optimal conditions for every driver, starting with the lowest fuel prices at $3.358 per gallon and ranking third for the lowest parking charges. The best part of the city is that it has minimal traffic congestion, with drivers spending only 8 hours in traffic annually. Safety is another strong point, with 3,154 car accidents reported in 2023. Additionally, Corpus Christi ranks fourth in cost of ownership & maintenance, making it affordable to own a vehicle.
Raleigh, NC
Raleigh, NC, scores 66.49 as one of the best cities for drive-in after Corpus Christi, TX. The gas prices in the City are the lowest, averaging $3.24 per gallon, which makes it appealing for drivers. Another factor contributing to making it the second-best City for drivers is its average commute time of 24 minutes one way, which is 10 minutes shorter than the national average. Despite this, traffic congestion still leads drivers to spend 40 hours annually in traffic, costing them nearly $756 per year. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Raleigh recorded 15,502 car accidents, 6,448 injuries and 39 deaths.
Boise, ID
Boise, ID, ranks as the third-best city for drivers, scoring 65.28. The City enjoys comparatively low gas prices at $3.670 per gallon compared to other states. It achieved ninth place in safety with the lowest number of car accidents. Traffic congestion is also quite manageable in the City, with an average commute of 19.2 minutes. Boise boasts a high car ownership rate of 2 cars per household, and the city has high car ownership, making it a good place for drivers seeking convenience and affordability.
Plano, TX
Plano, TX, scores 65.24 as one of the best cities for driving and ranks fourth in safety, reporting 2821 car accidents in 2023. Additionally, Plano ranks 20th for Cost of Ownership & Maintenance and 29th for average vehicle maintenance costs, making it an economically favorable city for drivers. Plano boasts the lowest gas price in the nation and ranks sixth for the highest number of gas stations per capita.
Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale, AZ, is the fifth-best City for driving, scoring 65.18. The City ranked first in Traffic & Infrastructure, with an average commute time of 26 minutes. Good roads, ample parking space, and low traffic congestion support this efficient commute. Despite ranking tenth in safety, the low accident likelihood compared to the National Average highlights its drive-friendliness.