Anyone who has driven in Seattle or its outskirts has likely dealt with crowded roads, aggressive drivers, ongoing construction projects, and a frustratingly slow commute. This alone is probably enough to make people agree that Washington is one of the worst state to drive in the country. But there are other factors to consider apart from heavy traffic when deciding whether a state is a good place to drive. The cost of car insurance, weather, condition of the roads, population density, property crime, and rural versus urban makeup are all important too because they affect road safety, traffic accident rates, commute times, and affordability. Each year, WalletHub takes these factors into consideration to rank all 50 states from the best to the worst states to drive.
It probably doesn’t come as a big shock to Washingtonians that Washington has, once again, come in as one of the worst states to drive in the nation, according to 31 key indicators analyzed by WalletHub. In fact, Washington came in second to worst at #49 in the 2024 report – the same ranking it took in 2023.
If you or a loved one was injured in a motor vehicle accident in Washington State, you may benefit from the help of an experienced Washington car accident attorney. An injury lawyer can discuss your legal rights and calculate the true value of your accident claim. If you decide to work together, they will walk you through each stage of the claims process and be a tireless advocate for a full and fair settlement.
Washington Ranked Second Worst State to Drive in WalletHub’s 2024 Report
Washington State was ranked 49th out of 50 states in both the 2023 and 2024 reports, this is down from 45th place in 2022.
Why does Washington State rank so poorly year after year? The two main reasons that Washington is not considered a good state to drive in are the “Cost of Ownership & Maintenance” (#48) and “Traffic & Infrastructure” (#38). The state’s overall safety ranking came in at an unimpressive #36.
Washington State is in the top five states for highest car theft rate (#49) and highest gas prices (#48). It
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 was evaluated using 31 key indicators of a positive commute. Each metric was 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 each overall score.
Washington State Accident Statistics
Fatal car accidents rose to a 30-year high for the second straight year across Washington State in 2023. Statewide, 772 people were killed in crashes in 2023, up from 745 people in 2022, according to data from the Washington State Department of Transportation. 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 drunk or impaired driving, is considered the main culprit for the increase in traffic fatalities in the last couple of years.
Seek the help of a car accident attorney
If you or a loved one was injured 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 residents of 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!
