Most Americans rely on cars to get around, as 87 percent of daily trips take place in personal vehicles, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
Drivers spend an average of nearly 370 hours on the road each year. That’s more than 15 days. Add the costs of wasted time and fuel due to traffic congestions, and the cost comes to about $894 per driver each year.
Some cities offer a cheaper, smoother, and safer driving experience than others. To determine those places, WalletHub, a personal finance website, compared 100 of the largest U.S. cities on 30 indicators of driver-friendliness. The data range from average gas prices to annual hours in traffic congestion per auto commuter to the likelihood of accidents.
Best cities to drive in
1.Scottsdale, Ariz.
2. Boise, Idaho
3. Fort Wayne, Ind.
4. Lincoln, Neb.
5. Corpus Christi, Texas
6. Raleigh, N.C.
7. Lubbock, Texas
8. Lexington-Fayette, Ky.
9. Jacksonville, Fla.
10. Winston-Salem, N.C.
Worst cities to drive in
91.San Francisco
92. Baltimore
93. Seattle
94. Oakland
95. Chicago
96. Detroit
97. New York
98. Los Angeles
99. Washington, D.C.
100. Philadelphia
“Car prices have gone up significantly over the past few years,” Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst, said in an email, but, he added, “living in one of the best cities to drive in can make owning and maintaining a car much cheaper.”
However, costs aren’t the only factors that matter, he said, because the best cities for drivers also minimize commute times and traffic congestion, have accident rates well below the national average, and keep their roads in good condition.
Scottsdale is the best city to drive in, largely because it’s an inexpensive city, and it ranks as the second-cheapest city when it comes to the average cost for a new car and the 13th-cheapest average parking rate, according to the WalletHub analysis.
Scottsdale also stands out for its road and driving conditions and is among the cities with the best bridge quality and the fifth-lowest accident likelihood compared with the national average.
On safety, Scottsdale has the sixth-lowest share of uninsured drivers among the 100 cities in the study.
Money-saving tips while driving shared in the WalletHub report include:
- Carpool whenever possible.
- Scout for the lowest prices at gas stations, but if it’s too far to get to, you’ll waste time and money while thinking you’re saving money.
- Keep your car tuned properly.
- Look for a vehicle with the best gas mileage rating, if you’re buying a new or used vehicle.
- Combine errands when possible.
- Compare insurance rates periodically.
- Avoid unnecessary idling.
Happy driving. We all do it and have moments of stress and pain.
