Which states are hardest on cars?

States hardest on cars often involve harsh climates (extreme heat/cold, flooding), poor road conditions, high vehicle theft, or challenging ownership logistics like high fees/taxes, with California, Florida, Arizona, Texas, and Mississippi frequently cited for heat, theft, road quality, and/or fees, while New Mexico leads in bad roads. Alabama is noted for expensive repairs and poor repair accessibility.

What states should I avoid buying cars from?

You might want to avoid buying cars from Florida, California, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Virginia, due to issues like high dealer fees (especially Florida), significant taxes and fees (CA, IL, NY, TX), low inventory (CA, FL, GA), and aggressive dealer tactics or add-ons (VA, TX). Nevada, Kansas, Tennessee, Indiana, Rhode Island, Utah, and New Jersey also stand out for high sales tax, adding significantly to the final cost. 

What states are the hardest to drive in?

The hardest states to drive in often involve a mix of poor road conditions (New Mexico, Mississippi, Louisiana, California), high congestion (New Jersey, California, Maryland), aggressive drivers (New York, New Jersey), or unique winter challenges (Wyoming). New Jersey, California, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Maryland consistently rank poorly due to infrastructure, congestion, and accident rates, while states like Wyoming and North Dakota present challenges with weather or driver behavior. 

What state has the rustiest cars?

The states with the rustiest cars are predominantly in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, known as the "Salt Belt," where heavy road salt use in winter creates harsh conditions, causing rapid corrosion on vehicle undercarriages and bodies, with states like New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and New England states being particularly affected. The combination of moisture, salt, and freeze-thaw cycles in these regions leads to significant rust, unlike drier, warmer states where cars typically remain rust-free for longer.
 

What state has rust free cars?

For rust-free cars, focus on Southern & Southwestern states (California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Florida, Carolinas) with dry, mild climates, avoiding the "Salt Belt" (Northeast/Midwest) where road salt causes major corrosion, though even within these states, check coastal areas or high-snow zones (like Tahoe) for salt use. The best bets are generally inland, warm, and dry, but always inspect the undercarriage thoroughly for hidden issues, notes this Reddit thread.
 

Ranking Every US State Trooper Car from Worst to Best

What is the #1 stolen car in America?

The #1 most stolen car in America depends on the report, but recent data from the IIHS/HLDI Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (2022-2024 models) points to the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, stolen at nearly 40 times the average rate due to its high horsepower. However, older reports focusing on total theft numbers often highlight full-size Ford & Chevy Pickups, while other data shows popular models like the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Accord, and Kia Optima frequently targeted.
 

What are 90% of car accidents caused by?

More than 90 Percent of Automobile Accidents Caused by Human Error. Automobile accidents can be caused by almost anything — nature, weather, poor road conditions, vehicle failure — but according to experts, human error accounts for more than 90 percent of them.

What is the most feared road trip in the US?

1. Million Dollar Highway (US-550), Colorado. Running between Ouray and Silverton, the Million Dollar Highway winds through the San Juan Mountains at elevations exceeding 11,000 feet. Drivers face sharp switchbacks, sheer drops without guardrails, and grades that reach 8%.

Which state has the nicest drivers?

There's no single "nicest" state, as studies vary, but recent reports often highlight Michigan, Connecticut, Tennessee, and Florida for having safer, more courteous drivers with fewer incidents, while some sources praise Kansas for overall driving conditions, but others point to states like Hawaii and Massachusetts for more aggressive driving, depending on the metrics used (accidents vs. behavior). 

What states should I avoid on road trips?

The five least safe states to drive through on a road trip

• New Mexico.
• South Carolina.
• Tennessee.
• Delaware.
• Louisiana.

What 3 states are most expensive to own a car?

The three most expensive states for car ownership often cited are California, Nevada, and Louisiana/Florida, with costs driven by high insurance, gas, and repair expenses, though rankings vary slightly by study year and methodology, with some placing Louisiana or Florida at the very top due to insurance premiums. 

What is the hardest US state to live in?

These states are America's worst for quality of life in 2025:

• Arkansas.
• Alabama.
• Georgia.
• Louisiana.
• Utah.
• Indiana.
• Texas.
• Tennessee.

What are the top 10 most unreliable cars?

Consumer Reports and other sources point to vehicles like the GMC Acadia, Jeep Wrangler/Grand Cherokee, Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Honda Prologue, Kia EV6/EV9, Mazda CX-90, Chevrolet Blazer EV, and Rivian R1T as some of the least reliable for recent model years (2024-2026), often due to issues with new tech, electrical systems, powertrains, and hybrid components. Older models with notorious engines like the Mini Cooper's N14 Turbo or certain Hyundai/Kia GDI engines also rank high on reliability watchlists. 

What age gets in the most car accidents?

Teen drivers, especially those aged 16-19, get into the most car accidents per mile driven due to inexperience, risk-taking, and less developed judgment, with the highest risk often at 16-17 years old, though drivers 16-24 as a group have significantly higher rates than older adults. While younger teens have the highest rates, older adults (75+) also see increased fatal crash risks.
 

Which country is no. 1 in road accidents?

The United States has one of the biggest road networks in the world, and it also has one of the highest numbers of drivers. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the United States also has the largest number of car accidents in the world.

Which vehicle is prone to accidents?

Sedans are the vehicle type most often involved in accidents simply because they are the most common on the road. Motorcycles, however, carry the highest risk, as riders are far more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries in a crash.

What is the #1 crime state in America?

Alaska consistently ranks as the state with the highest violent crime rate, followed closely by New Mexico, with Tennessee and Arkansas also having very high rates, according to 2024 data from sources like USAFacts and WorldAtlas. These figures reflect crimes per 100,000 residents, showing Alaska at over 724 incidents, significantly above the national average. 

What state is #1 in safety?

Vermont ranks first overall, with a strong showing in neighborhood safety. Nearly 75% of parents say they live in safe neighborhoods, the fourth-highest rate in the country, according to WalletHub. The state also ranks seventh for neighborhood watch groups per capita.

What is the deadliest state to drive in?

Mississippi is frequently cited as the deadliest state for driving due to high fatality rates per capita and vehicle miles, driven by issues like poor road conditions, speeding, and impaired driving, though South Carolina, Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona also rank high for specific dangers like rural roads, winter conditions, and drunk driving. While large states like Texas and California have high total death counts, per-capita rates reveal smaller states like Mississippi often face worse odds for drivers. 

What car brands do thieves avoid?

Thieves often avoid high-end vehicles like Mercedes-Benz and newer BMWs because they are more difficult to steal, easily tracked, and too risky to sell or strip. These cars often come with multi-layered security systems, making them less attractive targets.

What car is hardest to steal?

Why are Tesla vehicles among the least stolen cars? Tesla vehicles are equipped with cutting-edge security features such as GPS tracking, Sentry Mode, and PIN to Drive, making them difficult to steal and easy to recover.

Which car is least hijacked?

And in first place the least hijacked car in South Africa is the Audi Q three. The Q 3 is an expensive car to maintain as it has specialised parts and isn't commonly broken down for sale in illegal markets.