WalletHub Ranks Washington the Second Worst State to Drive in 2026
For the fourth year in a row, Wallet Hub has ranked Washington State the second worst state to drive in the nation – right behind Hawaii. For drivers in the state, this ranking may not come as a surprise. Heavy traffic and never-ending construction projects lead to long, frustrating commutes on a regular basis. The weather, which can be wet and icy through half of the year, along with high levels of vehicle break-ins and the high cost of car insurance and vehicle repairs in the Seattle metro area summarize why Washington has been ranked the second worst state to drive in 2026.
Each year, WalletHub uses 31 key indicators to rank all 50 states from the best to the worst state to drive. Washington earned its ranking at #49 for 2026 when analyzed in each of these metrics.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Washington State, it is a good idea to seek legal guidance from an experienced, Washington State car accident attorney who can help you understand your legal rights and determine the full value of your accident claim. The sooner you schedule a meeting, the sooner the injury lawyer can help protect your rights by preserving critical evidence and guiding you through the claims process.
Washington Ranked Second Worst State to Drive in WalletHub’s 2026 Report
Washington State has been ranked 49 out of 50 states in the 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026 reports, which is down from its 45th place ranking in 2022.
Why has Washington State ranked so poorly in the last four years? The three main reasons that Washington is not considered a good state to drive are a high “Car Theft Rate” (#47), high “Ave. Gas Prices” (#48), and the “Cost of Car Ownership & Maintenance” (#48 – same as 2024 and 2025).
The state also doesn’t fall into the top five states for any positive metrics including most car washes per capita, most auto-repair shops per capita, fewest days with precipitation, or lowest percentage of rush-hour traffic congestion.
Methodology
WalletHub completes this analysis every year to help drivers identify the states that provide the best commuting conditions. All 50 states were compared across four key dimensions:
1) Cost of Ownership & Maintenance
2) Traffic & Infrastructure
3) Safety and
4) Access to Vehicles & Maintenance.
Each dimension is evaluated using 31 key indicators of a positive commute, then graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the best for drivers.
Finally, each state’s weighted average is calculated across all metrics to reach an overall score.
Washington State Accident Statistics
According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, traffic fatalities on Washington roadways decreased by 10 percent between 2023 and 2024 after traffic fatalities increased 20 percent from 674 in 2021 to 810 in 2023. The state saw 731 people die in vehicle crashes in 2024.
Before 2021, the last time we had more than 600 traffic fatalities in a single year was in 1996 when Washington State recorded 712 crash deaths. Speeding, which is often accompanied by impaired driving, was determined to be the main culprit behind the traffic fatalities in recent years.
Seek the Help of a Car Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing people injured in Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County, and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
