Washington state ranks among the worst for drivers, new study says. Here’s why

What makes a drive enjoyable? Is it the quality of the road, the traffic or even the weather?

When considering all the factors that can impact how pleasant a drive is, some states stand out.

Personal finance site WalletHub recently released its 2026 ranking of the best and worst states to drive, based on gas prices, road quality, rush hour traffic and other factors.

“Owning a car can really squeeze your wallet if you’re not in the right location,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in a Jan. 20 article. “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.”

Washington state was among the worst places for drivers in the United States, according to WalletHub.

Here’s where the Evergreen State ranked, and why:

Why is Washington state one of the worst for drivers?

Washington was the second-worst place to drive in the nation in 2026, with an overall score of 44.07 out of 100, according to WalletHub.

In contrast, the nation’s best state for drivers, Vermont, received a total score of 63.08 out of 100, WalletHub said, while the worst state to drive, Hawai’i, had a total score of 43.34.

Washington had one of the lowest scores in the nation for car ownership and maintenance costs, landing at No. 48.

It also ranked relatively low in terms of traffic and infrastructure.

Washington state had stronger scores for safety and access to vehicles and maintenance, according to the WalletHub study.

The Evergreen State had one of the worst road quality scores, ranking No. 48 out of 50.

Washington had some of the highest average gas prices in the nation, WalletHub said, beat out by only Hawai’i and California.

The Evergreen State also had one of the highest car theft rates in the country, with only three states experiencing more auto theft.

What are top 10 states to drive in US?

The U.S. states with the highest scores across 31 factors were deemed the best states to drive, according to WalletHub.

“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,” Lupo said.

According to WalletHub, these were the 10 best states to drive in 2026:

• 1. Vermont
• 2. Iowa
• 3. Kansas
• 4. Nebraska
• 5. Indiana
• 6. Florida
• 7. Alabama
• 8. Tennessee
• 9. North Carolina
• 10. Minnesota

What are the worst US states for drivers?

According to WalletHub, there was only one state worse for drivers than Washington state in 2026. Hawai’i took that spot.

The 10 worst states to drive in are:

• 1. Hawai’i
• 2. Washington
• 3. Montana
• 4. California
• 5. Maryland
• 6. Colorado
• 7. Missouri
• 8. New Hampshire
• 9. Nevada
• 10. Pennsylvania

How did WalletHub determine best states to drive?

To identify the states that “provide the best commuting conditions,” WalletHub said it compared the 50 U.S. states across 31 categories split into four key dimensions:

• Cost of ownership and maintenance: Average gas prices, car insurance premiums and auto maintenance costs
• Traffic and infrastructure: Average commute times, weather, rush-hour congestion and more
• Safety: Including seat belt use, traffic fatality rates and share of uninsured drivers
• Access to vehicles and maintenance: Car dealerships, car washes and auto repair shops per capita

Each state was given a score out of 100 based on its scores in each weighted category.

Data came from sources including the FBI, U.S. Census Bureau, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and State Farm.

This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 8:35 AM with the headline "Washington state ranks among the worst for drivers, new study says. Here’s why."