Most Stressful States in the U.S. to Drive In

Planning a road trip? These are the best and worst states to drive in in the U.S.

Driving in the U.S. comes with its fair share of challenges, but in some states, the experience is significantly worse. It’s not just about congestion, traffic snarls or road rage. From poor road infrastructure to sky-high insurance rates, certain states make every trip more stressful, expensive, and even dangerous—whether you are driving in a city or highway or on the open road.

A new study reveals the worst states to drive in the U.S., with South Carolina, surprisingly, taking the top spot!

The research team at Underwood Law Firm analyzed driving conditions across the country using 18 key factors, grouped into four main categories: costs, weather and natural hazards, infrastructure and commute, and vehicle & maintenance access. These factors include everything from gas prices and road quality to accident rates and the availability of vehicle services, offering a clear picture of the states where drivers face the most challenges on the road.

A summary of the findings contained some surprises, such as:

• South Carolina ranks as the worst state to drive in. Bad roads, a high number of uninsured drivers, and one of the highest fatality rates make it a dangerous place to be behind the wheel. Cheap gas won’t make up for the poor conditions.
• Colorado follows with high insurance costs, a major car theft problem, and frequent icy, windy weather. The one upside is its strong network of alternative fuel stations.
• Delaware lands fifth with the highest rush hour death rate. Expensive insurance, crumbling bridges, and strong winds make commuting a hassle.
• California barely avoids the top 10. The highest gas prices in the country, brutal commutes, and widespread car theft keep it near the worst rankings. At least charging stations are easy to find.
• New Hampshire is the safest state to drive in. Smooth roads, low crime, and affordable insurance make it the best place to own a car.

South Carolina takes the top spot, plagued by poor road and bridge conditions, a high rate of uninsured drivers, and one of the highest traffic fatality rates in the country at 26.21 deaths per 100,000 people. Gas prices remain low at $2.87 per liter, but with car insurance averaging $1,812 annually and maintenance costs reaching $396, drivers still face financial strain. Strong winds and frequent ice storms make conditions worse, and with DUI arrests at 387 per 100,000 licensed drivers, risk levels remain high.

Colorado follows closely behind, where driving is made difficult by steep car insurance costs—averaging $2,892 per year—and some of the highest car theft rates in the nation at 731.28 per 100,000 people. Ice and strong winds are common hazards, and with 17.5% of drivers uninsured, accidents can be financially devastating. Despite these challenges, the state leads in alternative fuel infrastructure, offering 110.46 fuel stations per 100,000 people.

Louisiana ranks third, driven by poor infrastructure and a high fatality rate of 26.63 deaths per 100,000. Road quality is among the worst in the country, and nearly 14% of drivers are uninsured. Car insurance premiums are the second highest in the ranking at $2,989 per year, adding to the financial burden. Weather hazards, including ice and strong winds, further complicate travel.

Arkansas takes fourth place with failing bridges and some of the most dangerous driving conditions in the U.S. Nearly 28% of traffic deaths occur during rush hour, and the fatality rate is among the highest at 27.87 per 100,000 people. Ice storms and high winds are a regular occurrence, while 15.1% of drivers remain uninsured. Gas prices are relatively low at $2.82 per liter, but high insurance costs make up for any savings at the pump.

Delaware lands in fifth place with the highest share of rush hour traffic deaths (31.62%) among the top-ranked states. With average annual insurance costs at $2,758 and gas prices at $2.97 per liter, driving is expensive. Bridges are in poor condition, and strong winds make for challenging conditions. On the positive side, alternative fuel access is better than in most states, with 67.89 stations per 100,000 residents.

New Jersey, in sixth place, stands out for its long average commute time of 31.1 minutes—the highest among the worst-ranked states. The roads and bridges are in disrepair, and car theft rates remain high. Despite these issues, the state has a relatively low fatality rate of 11.42 deaths per 100,000 people, suggesting that while the driving experience is frustrating, it is not as deadly as in other states.

Oklahoma ranks seventh, with extreme weather conditions making driving a challenge. Ice storms and high winds are frequent, and the state has one of the highest DUI arrest rates at 579 per 100,000 licensed drivers. With insurance costs reaching $2,400 per year and car theft rates remaining high, drivers face significant risks.

Michigan, in eighth place, has the highest car insurance costs among all states ranked, averaging $3,151 per year. The state also has one of the worst bridge conditions in the country, with 33.73% in need of repair. Car theft and larceny rates are significant, but despite its placement in the ranking, Michigan has a relatively lower traffic fatality rate of 14.45 per 100,000.

Florida, at ninth place, sees some of the worst road conditions in the country, ranking at the bottom for infrastructure. With high insurance costs of $3,267 per year and a high percentage of uninsured motorists at 15.9%, the financial toll on drivers is considerable. Car theft and larceny remain widespread, and with frequent extreme weather events, driving can be unpredictable.

Mississippi rounds out the top ten, with the highest traffic fatality rate at 34.34 deaths per 100,000 people. Road conditions are poor, and bridges are in disrepair, with over 55% requiring attention. Nearly 22.2% of drivers are uninsured, the highest among all ranked states, increasing the financial risk for insured motorists. Gas prices are among the lowest at $2.68 per liter, but the dangers of driving in the state outweigh the financial benefit.

Hawaii, New York, Texas and Kansas fared better than other states.