The 2026 edition of SmartAsset’s “Best and Worst States for Drivers” released today, ranking Arizona as one of the worst states for drivers in America. 

Key Arizona findings

  • Arizona ranked No. 6 among the 10 worst states for drivers. 
  • Arizona drivers pay 1.8% of median annual earnings in auto insurance premiums and 4.2% of median weekly earnings for a tank of gas. Traffic fatalities in Arizona are 1.4 per 100MM miles driven, while roughly 51% of interstate highways are in good condition. 
  • Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Utah are the five best states for drivers. 

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Car ownership consumes a major share of many household budgets. Between loan payments, maintenance, fuel and auto insurance, the cost of owning and operating a vehicle now averages more than $11,000 per year. Even as U.S. cities and counties increase investment in public transportation, more than 90% of American households own or lease at least one vehicle.

SmartAsset set out to determine which states are best for drivers, and where car ownership is most challenging. The analysis examined four metrics in each state: traffic fatalities per 100 million miles driven, the share of interstate highways in good condition, gasoline costs relative to median household income and auto insurance costs relative to median household income. The metrics were combined into a composite score used to rank each state.

Key national findings

  • Massachusetts ranked as the best state for drivers. While Boston may be known for difficult parking and heavy congestion, Massachusetts ranked No. 1 overall in the analysis.
  • The state that pioneered the modern freeway system is one of the worst for drivers. California helped pioneer modern freeway design with the opening of the Arroyo Seco Parkway in 1940, but high gasoline and auto insurance costs and below-average highway quality pushed the state into the bottom quartile at No. 39.
  • Gasoline costs look different when adjusted for income. Regular gas is most expensive by pump price in California, Hawaii and Washington, where it averages more than $5 per gallon. But relative to median household income, gasoline costs are highest in Mississippi, Nevada and West Virginia.
  • Rhode Island has the lowest traffic fatality rate. Rhode Island had the lowest traffic fatality rate in the study, at 0.5 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. West Virginia had the highest rate, at 1.6 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.