Survey: Iowa is the #1 state in the USA for driving

DES MOINES — Where would you rather spend the winter, Iowa or Hawaii? For most people, it’s an easy call, but not if you plan to do much driving.

A survey by the credit reporting website Wallethub says Iowa is the best state in the nation for driving, while Hawaii came in last. The study is based on 31 different criteria, things like rush hour traffic, road conditions, safety records, and the cost to maintain a car, including gas prices.

Iowa ranked seventh for ownership costs and ninth for its infrastructure. Full car insurance coverage in Iowa averages $1260 a year, more than $400 below the national average.

Commute times for Iowans average about 19 minutes, one of the lowest in the country, while New York’s commute is longest at more than 33 minutes.