The journey from Points A to B can either be a pleasure trip or a pain in the you-know-what, depending on the local traffic. The number crunchers at WalletHub compared the 100 largest US cities based on 30 key road-related metrics for their new report “2025’s Best & Worst Cities to Drive In.”
Corpus Christi, Texas, topped the list, with WalletHub declaring it has the nation’s best-maintained bridges and the fourth-lowest average commute times and second-lowest hours spent in congested traffic per year. Corpus Christi is also the third-cheapest city for gas, is tied for seventh cheapest for purchasing a new vehicle, and has the seventh-lowest accident likelihood, at more than 8% below the national average.
Rounding out the top five were Greensboro, North Carolina; Boise, Idaho; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Laredo, Texas. In 100th place was Philadelphia – obviously, the City of Brotherly Love doesn’t spread its love to the roads and highways – while Oakland; Washington, DC; New York City; and Chicago rounded out the bottom five.
“Car prices have gone up significantly over the past few years, and gas remains expensive going into the summer travel season,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “Living in one of the best cities to drive in can make owning and maintaining a car much cheaper. However, costs aren’t the only factors that matter; the best cities for drivers also minimize commute times and traffic congestion, have accident rates well below the national average and keep their roads in good condition.”
Photo courtesy Museum of the Moving Image
