Driving may be a stressful and unpleasant experience, especially in cities where traffic, road conditions, safety, and prices are top priorities. According to many sources, one Pennsylvania city stands out as the worst location to drive in the state and one of the worst in the country. Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s largest and most populated city.
Traffic and Infrastructure
The traffic and infrastructure are two major aspects that contribute to Philadelphia’s terrible driving conditions. According to WalletHub, Philadelphia has the sixth worst traffic and infrastructure in the US, based on criteria including congestion, travel duration, road quality, bridge quality, and public transit.
INRIX, a worldwide mobility analytics business, reports that drivers in Philadelphia spend an average of 37 hours a year stuck in traffic. The city also has some of the worst roads and bridges in the country, with 42% of roads in bad condition and 18% of bridges structurally defective, according to TRIP, a national transportation research organization.
Safety
Driving in Philadelphia is very unsafe due to safety concerns. According to RoadSnacks, Philadelphia is Pennsylvania’s most hazardous city in terms of crime rates, violent crimes, property crimes, and police presence. The city has a high rate of road deaths, particularly those involving alcohol.
According to Clever Move, Philadelphia had the 18th highest traffic fatality rate in the US from 2014 to 2020, with an average of 13.4 deaths per 100,000 citizens, 5.1 of which were alcohol-related. The city also has a high incidence of uninsured drivers, with 13% of motorists lacking insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Cost of Ownership and Maintenance
The expense of ownership and upkeep is the third element that contributes to the high cost of driving in Philadelphia. According to WalletHub, Philadelphia has the 15th highest cost of ownership and maintenance in the US, taking into account factors such as petrol prices, parking fees, vehicle insurance premiums, and auto repair expenses.
According to many sources, Philadelphia drivers spend an average of $2.88 per gallon of petrol, $18.75 per day for parking, $1,735 per year for vehicle insurance, and $404 per year for auto maintenance. These fees combine to create a significant hardship for city drivers.
Conclusion
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the worst cities for driving, with issues with traffic, infrastructure, safety, and cost of ownership. With the sixth worst traffic and infrastructure in the United States, drivers spend 37 hours per year in traffic. Safety problems contribute to its ranking as the state’s most dangerous city, which reflects high crime rates and traffic deaths. The city’s 15th-highest cost of ownership adds to the problems, making driving in Philadelphia difficult.