With Americans losing an average of $733 per year due to time spent in traffic, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2024’s Best & Worst Cities to Drive in to determine where people can enjoy the cheapest, smoothest and safest driving experience.
MORE NEWS: 15 must-see places for an Arizona road trip
Most Arizonans and Americans rely on cars to get around, as “87% of daily trips take place in personal vehicles,” according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. While driving offers a more private and comfortable commute, it is often a major hassle and expense. 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 our collective tab comes to about $733 per driver each year.
“Car prices have gone up significantly over the past few years, and gas remains expensive going into the summer travel season,” says Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst. “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; 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.”
Some cities offer a cheaper, smoother and safer driving experience than others. To determine those places, WalletHub compared 100 of the largest U.S. cities across 30 key indicators of driver-friendliness. Our data set ranges from average gas prices to annual hours in traffic congestion per auto commuter to the likelihood of accidents.
How Arizona cities rank
How Arizona cities rank Here how Arizona cities rank among the best and worst cities to drive in (the lower the ranking, the worse it is for for drivers):
No. 7: Scottsdale
No. 25: Gilbert
No. 26: Mesa
No. 33: Tucson
No. 39: Chandler
No. 48: Phoenix
No. 62: Glendale
