Driving Is Very Expensive in These U. S. States
Hitting the road isn’t cheap, and in some states, it’s downright painful. Between insurance rates, gas prices, and repairs, the cost of owning a car can add up fast. Let’s take a look at 26 states where being behind the wheel is expensive.
California
Welcome to the land of sunshine, traffic, and high car costs. California drivers face gas prices over $4 a gallon, insurance premiums of $2,768 a year, and repair bills that hurt. Add in smog checks and registration fees, and it’s the VIP package of car expenses.
Nevada
What happens in Vegas definitely takes a toll on your wallet. Nevada's prices are above the national average when it comes to gas costs, and insurance rates can easily be above $2400 a year. Driving in Nevada is like playing blackjack but with worse odds.
Florida
Florida consistently ranks as one of the highest states for insurance rates due to hurricanes, fraud, and uninsured drivers. Throw in extreme humidity, tolls, and the salt air that hates cars, and the Sunshine State can roast cars and wallets alike.
Montana
With long rural stretches and few public transit options, Montana drivers rack up serious miles and serious maintenance costs. Insurance costs about $2,354 per year, and winter roads can ruin your vehicle.
Alaska
With limited roadways and pricey parts, minor fixes in Alaska can cost a fortune. Insurance runs over $1,900 a year, and fuel is $4 a gallon. You’re not just driving, you’re surviving on four wheels.
New York
Driving in New York City can be a full-time job, and you won't get paid for it. The insurance alone is about $2600 a year, especially in New York City. By the time you add gas costs, state tolls, repairs, and parking, your wallet will feel the dent. Public transportation is really starting to look appealing now, isn’t it?
Illinois
The state insurance costs make Illinois not so car-friendly. Repair costs are high, salted roads eat undercarriages, gas prices are ever-rising, and your car may end up retiring early. The pizza’s great, though; just don’t stall in traffic trying to get it.
Wyoming
Wyoming's vast open roads are stunning but costly. With huge gaps between towns, you’ll easily burn through gas, which is around $4 a gallon. Insurance is reasonable, but isolation drives up repair and tow costs.
Washington
Washington doesn’t have income tax, but it makes up for it with expensive driving. It pays more than other states when it comes to gasoline, and repair shops aren’t cheap. Rain and traffic clog Seattle streets daily, so bring patience, deep pockets, and good wipers. You’ll need all three.
Oregon
Oregon drivers save on sales tax but burn through gas money fast. Gas is around $4, and the average cost of gas repair is $393.94. And insurance? It’s over $1,700. All these contribute to making Oregon the 10th most expensive state to own a car.
Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas, including insurance bills and drive times. Cities are spread out, and pickup trucks guzzle gas, so fuel costs add up fast. Insurance is around $2,600 a year, and Texas drivers are high on the accident and claims list.
New Jersey
New Jersey drivers pay an average of $2,438 in insurance alone; blame traffic, accident rates, and litigation-friendly policies. With the tolls and urban congestion, driving in the Garden State is a luxury, not a necessity.
South Carolina
Between high accident rates and uninsured drivers galore, South Carolina’s insurance premiums are no joke. When you add in the heat, poor road conditions, and long rural commutes, it’s not hard to see why driving here costs more than a beach vacation. And no, the roads aren’t relaxing.
Arkansas
Arkansas is affordable in some ways, but not when it comes to car ownership. Poor road quality means more repairs, and insurance is close to the national average. Add in long drives between towns and rising fuel costs, and you’ve got a sneaky car cost culprit in the Ozarks.
New Mexico
New Mexico roads go on for miles, but so do your car costs. Insurance is around $2,000 a year, but it’s the sun, dust, and rural breakdowns that’ll drain your budget. The roads are rough, and with a higher-than-average theft rate, you’ll wish your car had hazard pay.
Arizona
Insurance is around $2,000 in Arizona, and the heat will drain your batteries and tires like clockwork. The cost of repairs isn’t cheap either, and sprawling cities like Phoenix will make you sweat both literally and financially. At least the sunsets are free.
Connecticut
Charming? Yes. Cheap to drive in? Not a chance. Connecticut drivers pay an average of $2,300 in insurance, some of the highest in the country. Add in high fuel costs, maintenance fees, and a web of toll roads, and your car’s upkeep will feel like a second mortgage.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s roads are rougher than a country song, so you’ll be fixing and paying more often. Insurance is around $2,700, and the state has one of the highest uninsured driver rates in the country. So, you’re paying for more than your own mistakes. Buckle up and budget big.
Georgia
Atlanta traffic doesn't help your gas mileage or your mental health. With the repair costs and bumper-to-bumper fender benders, you have a driving experience that's more costly than sweet tea at a tourist trap.
Louisiana
Louisiana is among the most expensive states for car insurance, with an average over $3,500, due to storm damage, uninsured drivers, and high claims. With the rough roads and constant flooding, your car might be screaming for help while your wallet waves the white flag.
Colorado
Driving through the Rocky Mountains is lovely and scenic until you get your repair bill. The terrain is steep, and the snowy roads and altitude are hard on your brakes and engine. Insurance averages around $1,900 a year; collisions in winter months on icy roads keep rates high. While it's a lovely state, your brakes and engine may not share the same impression.
Maryland
Maryland drivers face some of the highest rates on the East Coast. Insurance rates, gas prices, registration fees, and I-95 traffic make driving here feel like a luxury tax with no benefits. And good luck finding a cheap space in Baltimore or DC.
North Dakota
In North Dakota, the severe cold, endless miles, and few public transit options make it pretty much necessary to own a vehicle. Unfortunately, it's also pretty expensive. Your battery will freeze faster than your fingers in the winter, and you’ll be paying for repairs all the time.
South Dakota
The rural distances in South Dakota mean you’ll spend a lot on gas. And the harsh winters mean you won’t be a stranger to cracked windshields and busted suspensions. It’s more frustrating when you realize finding a mechanic outside city limits feels like a side quest.
Idaho
Potatoes might be cheap, but driving in Idaho isn’t. With growing traffic, limited public transit, and insurance premiums near $1,500, car ownership can eat into your budget fast.
Utah
Utah drivers pay about $2,000 a year in insurance and often get hit with expensive repairs from canyon commutes and snowy mountain passes. Traffic in SLC doesn’t help, and gas prices are above the national average. In Utah, your car’s working overtime, and so is your bank account.
