Wisconsin Ranked Eighth-Best State in the U.S. for Drivers

Thursday, June 25th, 2026 -- 10:00 AM

(Kelli Arseneau, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) Wisconsin is ranked the eighth-best state in the U.S. for drivers, according to a new report from SmartAsset, an online financial advisor marketplace.

According to Kelli Arseneau with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the analysis examined four metrics in each state: the rate of traffic fatalities per 100 million miles driven, the amount of interstate highways considered to be in good condition, gasoline costs relative to the median household income and auto insurance costs relative to the median household income.

It comes as no shock to most Americans that vehicle ownership is expensive. When taking into account costs like gas prices and insurance loan payments, owning and operating a vehicle in 2026 costs an average of $11,000 a year, according to SmartAsset.

The best state for drivers, the study found, is Massachusetts. The other states ranked better than Wisconsin are Minnesota, New Jersey, North Dakota, Utah, Connecticut and New Hampshire.

SmartAsset deemed California the worst state for drivers, due to high costs of gasoline and auto insurance and a below-average quality of highways. The study found Wisconsin had 0.8 auto fatalities per 100 million miles, and 71% of interstate highways are considered in good condition.

Insurance was, on average, 1.22% of people's annual income, while a tank of gas cost an average of 3.88% of the average weekly income, SmartAsset found.

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