Arlington, Texas, has secured the 19th spot on WalletHub’s newly released ranking of the Best Cities to Drive In, underscoring the city’s efforts to provide an efficient, safe, and affordable driving environment for its residents and visitors.
In its comprehensive study, WalletHub analyzed 100 of the largest U.S. cities across 30 metrics designed to assess overall driver-friendliness. These indicators span from average fuel prices to annual traffic delays and the risk of accidents, offering a thorough evaluation of the driving experience in each city.
The personal finance website divided its analysis into four key categories:
- Cost of Ownership & Maintenance
- Traffic & Infrastructure
- Safety
- Access to Vehicles & Maintenance
Each city was assigned a score based on these dimensions, using a 100-point scale, where 100 signifies the most favorable driving conditions. Arlington achieved a total score of 58.46, placing it among the top 20 cities nationwide. Other Texas cities—Corpus Christi, Plano, and Lubbock—also earned high marks, further highlighting the state’s focus on driver satisfaction.
Traffic and Infrastructure Investments
A significant portion of Arlington’s ranking can be attributed to its ongoing commitment to improving road conditions and reducing traffic congestion. In Fiscal Year 2024, Arlington’s Public Works Department allocated $28.7 million for street maintenance and $61.9 million for new construction projects. These efforts are designed to enhance the city’s transportation infrastructure, which spans 99 square miles, and provide smoother commutes for the city’s residents.
Arlington employs a systematic approach to street maintenance, using a Red-Yellow-Green scoring system to assess road conditions. Streets rated Red, indicating the poorest condition, are prioritized for repair or reconstruction to ensure long-term improvements. This proactive approach is aimed at achieving a more balanced and sustainable street network. Currently, 82% of Arlington’s 3,015 lane miles are rated Yellow or Green, signaling that the majority of the city’s roads are in satisfactory or good condition.
Focus on Road Safety
Safety is a core focus of Arlington’s transportation strategy. Through the Safe Streets Arlington initiative, the city is integrating safety improvements into regular street maintenance and construction projects to protect all road users, from motorists to pedestrians. This initiative has played a key role in enhancing the city’s ranking, as WalletHub placed significant emphasis on the safety dimension in its evaluation.
By continually investing in street improvements and implementing safety programs, Arlington is reinforcing its commitment to fostering a safe and efficient driving environment, benefiting both its residents and the thousands of visitors who traverse the city each day.
For more details on the Safe Streets Arlington initiative, please visit the Safe Streets Arlington webpage.
Arlington’s inclusion in WalletHub’s Best Cities to Drive In ranking serves as a testament to the city’s ongoing dedication to enhancing the quality of life for its residents by ensuring safer, more reliable, and cost-effective transportation infrastructure.
