Where IS the WORSE state for driving? Well being from here, I can’t say that I am optimistic that our beloved state of Massachusetts will score well on the latest Wallethub study. I am blessed that my work hours are not subject to morning or afternoon commuting. BUT, I have been a victim of awful congestion, dangerous rotaries and terrible road conditions like potholes.
Commuting VS Working From Home
While it’s great to have a job to go to, working from home is a tremendous convenience, especially during winter weather. Long before the work from home concept began, I DID have an office job. Back in 2008, I was a radio manager here in Boston. I LIVED in Rhode Island. So to make it to my office on time, arriving by 8:30am, I had to be IN my car driving BY 6:15am the latest. If I missed that 6:15 window by even FIVE minutes, I would not be in the office on time by 8:30am. If I left by 6:15am, I would, get to the office by 7:45am, or 8am, leaving plenty of time to settle in and relax, knowing I beat the traffic. The traffic going home, was another story entirely.
Most Dangerous Rotaries
Add to potholes, congested roads, we have the worst rotaries as well. According to a 2021 Boston.com poll:
…in the responses to our latest poll asking people for their least favorite rotaries in Greater Boston; almost 350 drivers responded, using no shortage of adjectives in doing so: “horrifying,” “terrifying,” and “painful” were all well represented, along with the phrases “hot mess,” “nightmare fuel,” and “hell of all hells.”
The WORSE State For Driving
Our friends at Wallethub shared an in-depth report reporting the best and worse 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.
Before we see where Massachusetts ranks, let’s take a ride to the BEST states for driving.
1-Iowa
(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
According to Wallethub, Iowa is NUMBER ONE!
Iowa is the best state to drive in, due in part to the fact that it’s a rural state and has one of the lowest rush-hour traffic congestion rates in the country. Less than a quarter of urban interstates in Iowa experience congestion during peak hours. In addition, Iowa drivers tend to have short commutes, at less than 20 minutes on average.
Iowa residents also can save a lot of money on their vehicle expenses, given that Iowa is in the top 10 states when it comes to low gas prices and car insurance rates. Plus, the Hawkeye state has one of the lowest rates of vehicle theft and larceny, so residents can feel safe and secure.
2-Georgia
Image by Getty Images
Wallethub says Georgia rocks when it comes to driving:
The second-best state to drive in is Georgia. Everyone knows the nightmare scenario of not being able to find a gas station when you’re on empty – but Georgia has the most gas stations and the ninth-most alternative fuel stations in the country per capita.
Georgia also takes the problem of driving while intoxicated very seriously, with the second-strictest DUI laws in the country, although Georgians still have a lot of work to do when it comes to speeding and distracted driving.
To top things off, owning a car can be pretty cheap in Georgia. Georgians have the third-lowest auto maintenance costs and gas prices in the country.
3-Kansas
Kansas is the third-best state for drivers, and one of the contributing factors is improving road safety. Kansas had one of the biggest year-over-year decreases in the traffic fatality rate, at over 12%, according to the most recent data. This may be partially due to the fact that Kansas drivers speed less frequently than people in most states.
According to the Wallethub report:
Image by Getty Images
As long as you avoid tornado’s, Wallethub chose the home of Dorothy as #3:
Kansas has some of the most roadway miles per capita in the country, but keeps those roads well-maintained, with the 10th best road quality. Keeping roads paved well probably isn’t too hard, though, given that Kansas is “flatter than a pancake.”
Since Kansas has a low population and lots of farmland, it makes sense that it has a low traffic congestion rate, too. Clear roadways definitely contribute to the state’s third-place ranking.
THE BOTTOM: Massachusetts RANKS 45
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While do GREAT for raising a family, as expected, Massachusetts scored pretty bad when it comes to driving:
Driving in Massachusetts (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
- Overall rank for Massachusetts: 45th
- 40th – Share of Rush-Hour Traffic Congestion
- 15th – Auto-Repair Shops per Capita
- 38th – Avg. Gas Prices
- 49th – Auto-Maintenance Costs
- 44th – Road Quality
- 17th – Car Dealerships per Capita
