road rage is so last year
Texas makes top 10 on list of the best states in the U.S. to drive in

Driving in Texas doesn't have to be all bad. There are some beautiful sights to see, such as Big Bend National Park.
A new report is silencing traffic complainers by giving Texas top marks for its driveability: A WalletHub study called "Best & Worst States to Drive in (2025)" found that Texas was the 9th best place to drive.
The study compared all 50 states based on four categories: Cost of ownership and maintenance; traffic and infrastructure; safety; and access to vehicles and maintenance.
The top three best states were Kansas (No. 1), Idaho (No. 2), and Indiana (No. 3).
But Texas was lauded for its access to vehicles and maintenance, and earned points for safety and cost of ownership and maintenance.
WalletHub determined Texas has the fourth-highest number of auto repair shops per capita in the U.S. And here's something to brag about: Texas landed in a three-way tie for the No. 1 most car washes per capita alongside California and Florida.
The Lone Star State also has the third-lowest average gas prices, according to the study. AAA says the current average price for gas in Texas is $2.74 per gallon for regular, compared to $2.83 a year ago. National average gas prices come out to about $3.12.
However, the state flopped in in the category of traffic and infrastructure, nearly at the bottom of the list at No. 43.
Transportation data company Inrix, Inc. says traffic congestion cost the average driver $771 in 2024. Drivers also lost 43 hours of their lives (on average) due to sitting in traffic. Ouch.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said that "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."
If we ignore the state's recent inclement weather - and the familiar annoyance of being stuck in bumper to bumper traffic - there's plenty to enjoy about driving in Texas. Its vast landscape allows for some incredible sightseeing during a summer road trip, or while taking a scenic drive through the Twisted Sisters in the Hill Country.
Driving at home doesn't have to be a pain. In a separate WalletHub ranking of the best and worst U.S. cities to drive in for 2024, Plano outshined the rest of Texas 10th best U.S. city. It's all about perspective, as one might say.
According to the study's rankings, Texans can be glad they aren't driving in Hawaii (No. 50), Washington (No. 49), or Montana (No. 48), which were came in as the three worst states for driving.
The top 10 best states for driving in 2025 are:
- No. 1 – Kansas
- No. 2 – Idaho
- No. 3 – Indiana
- No. 4 – Iowa
- No. 5 – Oklahoma
- No. 6 – Alabama
- No. 7 – North Carolina
- No. 8 – Ohio
- No. 9 – Texas
- No. 10 – Tennessee