Traffic is more than just annoying. It costs the average U.S. driver about 49 hours a year stuck behind the wheel, adding up to hundreds of dollars in lost productivity. With that in mind, personal-finance site WalletHub has released its new report ranking the best and worst states to drive in for 2026—and if you live in Washington, we have bad news for you.
Read on for all the details.
Rural states such as Vermont, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Indiana came out on top as the best states to drive in. As Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst, said:
Owning a car can really squeeze your wallet if you’re not in the right location. On top of having pricey gas, maintenance and insurance expenses, some states can hurt you even more financially with excessive traffic congestion, which wastes both your fuel and your productivity. The best states to drive in are ones that are relatively rural, with smaller populations, a low cost of living, well-maintained roads and safe motorists.”
WalletHub compared all 50 states using 31 different measures, including gas prices, rush-hour congestion, and road conditions. The results weren’t great for Washington residents. WA state ranked 49th overall—second worst in the nation—beating only Hawaii. Vermont came out on top as the best state for drivers, with a total score of 63.08. Washington’s score was much lower, at 44.07.
Washington’s overall score is made up of four main categories. When it comes to the cost of owning and maintaining a car, the state ranked near the bottom at 48th, largely due to high prices, including gas. For traffic and road infrastructure, Washington ranked 34th. Safety was a bright spot, with the state ranking 4th nationwide. Access to vehicles and repair services, however, dragged the score down again, with a ranking of 46th.
Several specific factors hurt Washington’s standing. Gas prices are among the highest in the country, earning the state a ranking of third-worst, behind only Hawaii and California. Washington also has one of the highest car theft rates, ranking 47th. Even so, the state still performed well on overall driving safety, thanks in part to relatively low traffic fatality rates.
You can view the study in detail on WalletHub.