10 worst cities for driving conditions

Updated March 12, 2024

Reviewed By Ross Martin

Table of contents:

#1: Buffalo, New York
#2: Providence, Rhode Island
#2: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#4: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#4: Detroit, Michigan
#4: Boston, Massachusetts
#7: Hartford, Connecticut
#7: Cleveland, Ohio
#9: Seattle, Washington
#9: Columbus, Ohio
Methodology

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There's nothing like taking to the open road on a cloudless day, the path clear before you for miles. But then there are the other days. Hail, rain, fog, snow, potholes. These things can lead to poor visibilty, dangerous driving conditions and an increase in traffic accidents. Drivers living in different areas of the country can be affected by different adverse driving conditions due to everything from poor infrastructure to weather. And the amount they pay for insurance reflects that (along with othe rating factors).

We recently looked at a number of factors to find the worst cities for driving conditions in the U.S. We evaluated the top 50 metropolitan areas based on population. We then ranked them based on five categories that have a significant impact on road conditions.

Road quality (by state)
Annual days of fog (by city)
Annual days of rain (by city)
Total inches of snow each year (by city)
Number of hail claims (by state)

Before you set out for any road trips, take a look at our top 10 worst cities for driving conditions based on these seven criteria. How does your city stack up?

#1: Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is known for its snowy weather, so it’s not surprising that this factored into its having some of the worst driving conditions of any of the cities we looked at. Buffalo averages over 95 inches of snow per year, which can impact both visibility and road condition. Also affecting visibility is Buffalo’s frequent fog. Additionally, New York State residents had a low opinion of the road infrastructure, rating them on average 5.8/10.

Buffalo by the numbers

Percentage of roads with poor pavement in New York cities: 30%
Annual days of fog: 174
Annual days of precipitation: 166
Total inches of snow each year: 95.8

#2: Providence, Rhode Island

While plagued by a bit less snow, Providence driving conditions are only slightly better than in Buffalo. For starters, Rhode Island residents are not fans of their infrastructure, rating them 6.5/10, and the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the Rhode Island roads a C-minus^[1]. In addition to having the lowest ranking for road quality on our list, Providence also experiences its share of fog, rain and snow.

Providence by the numbers

Percentage of roads with poor pavement in Rhode Island cities: 42%
Annual days of fog: 166
Annual days of precipitation: 127
Total inches of snow each year: 36.6

#2: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh is tied with Providence for the city with the second worst driving conditions. Pennsylvania only ranks in the middle for road quality. But the city regularly experiences precipitation, snow and fog.

Pittsburgh by the numbers

Percentage of roads with poor pavement in Pennsylvania cities: 21%
Annual days of fog: 183
Annual days of precipitation: 154
Total inches of snow each year: 44.1

#4: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Coming in fourth for worst driving conditions, Milwaukee again has its share of Midwestern weather, influenced by nearby Lake Michigan. Fog, snow and rain all affect the conditions on the city’s roads. Wisconsin as a whole also has the third worst maintained roads of any state.

Milwaukee by the numbers

Percentage of roads with poor pavement in Wisconsin cities: 29%
Annual days of fog: 142
Annual days of precipitation: 125
Total inches of snow each year: 48.7

#4: Detroit, Michigan

Starting off, Detroit’s roads aren’t in great condition, and Michigan residents rating them a 3.9/10. The roads received a D rating by the American Society of Civil Engineers^[2]. Difficult driving in the city is compounded by plenty of precipitation throughout the year. Detroit ranks in the lower half of states for snow, rain and fog.

Detroit by the numbers

Percentage of roads with poor pavement in Michigan cities: 25%
Annual days of fog: 156
Annual days of precipitation: 136
Total inches of snow each year: 45

#4: Boston, Massachusetts

Leaving the Midwest, Boston is tied with Milwaukee and Detroit for fourth. Massachusetts has the fifth worst roads in the country with residents blaming harsh winters and road salt, along with poor maintenance for the plentiful potholes. An abundance of snow also doesn't help the overal driving conditions.

Boston by the numbers

Percentage of roads with poor pavement in Massachusetts cities: 31%
Annual days of fog: 139
Annual days of precipitation: 128
Total inches of snow each year: 49.2

#7: Hartford, Connecticut

Just 100 miles away is Boston’s neighbor to the southwest: Hartford, Connecticut. The driving conditions here are made worse by the usual trio of frequent fog, snow and general precipitation. Connecticut’s roads themselves aren’t as bad, but the state still ranks in the bottom half of states for overall road quality.

Hartford by the numbers

Percentage of roads with poor pavement in Connecticut cities: 15%
Annual days of fog: 162
Annual days of precipitation: 129
Total inches of snow each year: 51.7

#7: Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland ranks above average for snow and precipitation and is right in the middle in terms of fog. Ohio’s roads are also right in the middle in terms of overall road quality.

Cleveland by the numbers

Percentage of roads with poor pavement in Ohio cities: 17%
Annual days of fog: 157
Annual days of precipitation: 159
Total inches of snow each year: 63.8

#9: Seattle, Washington

Seattle is our only West Coast city to make the list, thanks to its above average fog and precipitation. The amount of snow and hail is thankfully low. Washington roads aren’t the best but they nearly escape the top 10 worst roads in the country, coming in at number 11. Residents of the state rank their roads a 5.8/10.

Seattle by the numbers

Percentage of roads with poor pavement in Washington cities: 23%
Annual days of fog: 165
Annual days of precipitation: 156
Total inches of snow each year: 6.3

#9: Columbus, Ohio

Returning yet again to the Midwest, Columbus ties with Seattle for number 9. It has less rain but more snow (though way less than Cleveland). As mentioned above, Ohio roads are middle of the pack.

Columbus by the numbers

Percentage of roads with poor pavement in Ohio cities: 17%
Annual days of fog: 166
Annual days of precipitation: 141
Total inches of snow each year: 28.2

Staying safe while on the road depends on both the skill of the driver and the environment in which they’re driving. Regardless of where you're driving, it’s smart to stay aware of what weather is most likely to impact your city’s road conditions and how to best prepare for inclement days.

Methodology

The Zebra pulled five data points to analyze the top 50 MSAs (by population) in the U.S. for:

Road quality (by state): Worst roads by roughness and resident rating: Consumer Affairs
Annual days of fog (by city): Current Results Weather and Science Facts
Annual days of precipitation (by city): National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Total inches of snow each year (by city): National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Hail and thunderstorm risk (by state): 2021 report by National Insurance Crime Bureau

MSA data was used where applicable, and we sometimes substituted city or state data as necessary.

Sources