How bad is California for drivers?

Study puts state ahead of just three other states for being the worst for driving

If there is one thing that nearly all Californians can agree upon it is that driving around the Golden State can be a challenge.

Actually, one would likely use stronger language to describe the experience of driving almost anywhere in California. Horrible. Awful. Soulcrushing. Throw in a few expletives, and you can sum up most drivers’ feelings about getting behind the wheel, fighting miles of traffic, and trying to get from Point A to Point B on California’s roads and highways in a reasonable amount of time.

So, where does California place among all U.S. states with regards to driving? To put it mildy, how about near the bottom of the barrel?

That’s according to a study from personal finance and information site WalletHub, which on Tuesday said California comes in 47th place out of all 50 states when it comes to driving. WalletHub ranked states based on data from resources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Highway Administration, and based its findings on states’ cost of vehicle ownership and maintenance, traffic and infrastructure, safety and access to vehicle maintenance services.

According to the study, the only states that are worse for driving than California are Washington, Rhode Island and Hawaii. WalletHub said the best state for driving is Iowa, followed by Tennessee, North

Carolina, Texas and Nebraska.

For California, several data points contributed to its low standing among U.S. states for driving. California has the highest percentage of rush hour traffic congestion, and ranks 46th for highest rate of car thefts. The state also came in 49th place for having the highest average gas prices around the country.

So, what can California do to make driving a better experience for its residents? Eleftheria Kontou, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, said taking more steps to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles would be a start.

“Research suggests that state tax credits, rebates, and other incentives, such as high occupancy vehicle lanes free access, free parking (and) no registration fees are associated with increased adoption of electric vehicles,” Kontou said. “Supporting and financing the installation of charging station infrastructure encourages buyers to purchase electric vehicles by reducing adoption concerns like range anxiety.”

While anyone stuck in the Bay Area traffic wouldn’t be surprised about how painful it can be to drive around the region, and the state, the situation isn’t all bad for Californian drivers.

WalletHub said California is No. 1 when it comes to fewest days of precipitation every year, and takes the top spot for having the most auto repair shops per capita. California is also No. 1 for having the most car washes per capita. So, it’s a good thing to know that in California, you probably aren’t too far away from a place to get your car cleaned. That is, as long as the car wash closes before you get through your next traffic jam.