Best, Worst Cities Ranked for Driving

Raleigh, N.C., took the top spot in the nation for driver friendliness, while Detroit appears at the bottom of the list, according to WalletHub's annual "Best & Worst Cities to Drive In" report.

In fact, it appears the south swept the competition. Other cities ranking among the top five best places to drive include Orlando, Fla.; Lincoln, Neb.; Tampa, Fla.; and Winston-Salem, N.C.

To determine best and worst places to drive, WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 30 key indicators of driver-friendliness. 

Detroit ranked as the worst city to drive in, followed by Oakland, Calif., Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Newark, N.J.

The report explores issues such as traffic congestion. While residents in Winston-Salem and Fort Wayne, Ind. spend the fewest annual hours (nine) in traffic congestion per auto commuter, Boston residents spend 164 hours, which is over 18 times more hours.

Fuel prices are another element factored into the driver friendliness quotient. San Antonio, Texas, ranked number one for the lowest average gas price at $2.36 per gallon while San Francisco scored the highest, with gas prices as high as $4.13 per gallon.

You’ll find the lowest parking rates in Corpus Christi, Texas, and Reno, Nev. ($1 per two hours), and the highest in New York City at $34.40 per two hours.

Maintenance of vehicles is yet another factor considered in the overall scoring system. While Jackson, Fla., ranks as the place with the lowest auto maintenance costs, Boston scores the worst featuring the highest costs for repairs and maintenance.

Auto theft probability is another element discussed in the report. Gilbert, Ariz., has the fewest cars thefts — nearly 25 times fewer than Albuquerque, N.M., the city with the highest. Read the full report here.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet