Where you live plays a role in whether owning and driving a car is an enjoyable experience.
WalletHub has compared the 50 states in the U.S. to determine the best states for driving, by examining Cost of Ownership & Maintenance, Traffic & Infrastructure, Safety, and Access to Vehicles & Maintenance.
SEE ALSO: Top 5 States with the Worst Drivers: 2017
Those four facets were further analyzed by using 23 relevant metrics with specific weights. Each metric was then graded on a 100-point scale, before each state received an overall score that was calculated by determining its weighted average across all metrics.
10. Illinois
Ranking 10th overall is the state of Illinois, which finished 37th in Cost of Ownership & Maintenance and 34th in Traffic & Infrastructure. It did however, excel in Safety and Access to Vehicles & Maintenance, ranking fifth in both categories. The state scored 59.36.
Illinois is also ranked fourth for both highest auto repair shops per capita and most car washes per capita in the country.
9. Arkansas
With a score of 59.77, Arkansas finishes in ninth place this year. The state also finished ninth overall in Cost of Ownership & Maintenance, and performed well in Traffic & Infrastructure by ranking seventh. In terms of Safety however, Arkansas is ranked 39th. It finished 33rd in Access to Vehicles & Maintenance.
Residents of Arkansas do get to enjoy some of the nation’s lowest gas prices and auto maintenance costs.
8. Alabama
Alabama ranks highest in the nation when it comes to Cost of Ownership & Maintenance, helping it finish eighth overall with a total score of 60.53. It also performed well in Traffic & Infrastructure and Access to Vehicles & Maintenance, ranking 13th and 23rd, respectively. The state however, finished 46th when it comes to Safety.
The study also found Alabama has the second-lowest average gas prices in the U.S., which is always a plus.
7. Georgia
Staying in the Southeast is Georgia with a total score of 60.70. The state finished second overall in Cost of Ownership & Maintenance, and eighth in Access to Vehicles & Maintenance. It was about average however, ranking 30th in both Traffic & Infrastructure and Safety.
Georgia is also ranked third when it comes to lowest auto maintenance costs.
6. Oregon
In the complete opposite corner of the country from Georgia is Oregon, with a total score of 60.86. The state performed well in Cost of Ownership & Maintenance, ranking eighth overall. It also did better than average in Traffic & Infrastructure by placing 17th. In Safety however, Oregon is 21st overall, while it ranked 25th in Access to Vehicles & Maintenance.
The state is home to the lowest auto maintenance costs in the U.S., but residents have to live with some of the highest average gas prices in the U.S.
5. North Carolina
Back on the East Coast is North Carolina, scoring 61.72. The state ranked third overall in Cost of Ownership & Maintenance, and also performed well in Access to Vehicles & Maintenance by finishing 11th. Traffic & Infrastructure is ranked 23rd, while Safety is in the middle of the pack at 26th place.
4. Iowa
Heading to Iowa, the state scored 62.48 while ranked eighth overall in Traffic & Infrastructure. In both Cost of Ownership & Maintenance and Access to Vehicles & Maintenance, Iowa finished 19th, while its Safety rank is 25th.
The state also ties for third place in lowest percentage of rush hour congestion.
3. Nebraska
In the Midwest is Nebraska, scoring 63.09 and finishing third overall. The state is ranked highest in the U.S. in Traffic & Infrastructure. It is about average in the other categories however, finishing 20th in Cost of Ownership & Maintenance, 29th in Safety, and 31st in Access to Vehicles & Maintenance.
2. Kansas
In second place overall is the state of Kansas, with a score of 63.56. It is also ranked second in Traffic & Infrastructure, while also performing well in Cost of Ownership & Maintenance by placing 16th. When it comes to Safety, Kansas is 27th overall, while Access to Vehicles & Maintenance places it in 32nd place.
It is however, ranked fifth for lowest percentage of rush hour congestion.
1. Texas
Barely edging out Kansas as the best state for driving is Texas, with a score of 63.68. The state finished second in Access to Vehicles & Maintenance, 12th in Cost of Ownership & Maintenance, 21st in Traffic & Infrastructure, and 23rd in Safety.
Texas was ranked fifth with fewest days of precipitation, and has the second most car washes per capita in the country. It is also ranked third when it comes to lowest average gas prices.
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