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.

Detroit (shown here in 2010) has been ranked as the worst city for drivers.
Photo via Timothygetsschooled/Wikipedia.
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.
More Safety

Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk
Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.
Read More →
Coaching Is Not Training, Even When AI Is Doing It
AI-powered safety platforms can detect risky behaviors and deliver immediate feedback. But effective driver development still requires a foundation of training followed by coaching that reinforces those skills.
Read More →
How Emotions Behind the Wheel Can Affect Fleet Safety
During National Safety Month, fleets are encouraged to look beyond distracted driving and recognize how stress, fatigue, and emotional well-being influence driver performance and crash risk.
Read More →
Nominations Open for 2026 Fleet Safety Award
Nominations have officially opened for the 2026 Fleet Safety Award Winner.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →
Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-time Prevention
Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Learn more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab.
Read More →
NAFA Fleet Safety Symposium to Collocate With 2026 Fleet Forward Conference
The daylong certificate program will precede the Fleet Forward Conference at the Gaylord National Harbor in Maryland.
Read More →
The Distractions You Can’t Turn Off: What Drivers Face Outside the Vehicle
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI Launches First Deep-Learning Hail Prediction Model With High-Resolution Forecasting
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
Read More →
