If you’re a commuter into Dallas, you’ve likely heard the mantra that suburbanites are the worst drivers. And while we haven’t found data so far to prove or deny that theory, a recent WalletHub study shows Plano in the top 10 of best cities to drive in out of the 100 most populated cities in the country.
The study evaluated 30 metrics, including cost of car ownership and maintenance, traffic and infrastructure, safety and access to vehicles and maintenance.
Plano ranked #10 out of 100 cities. Though the city didn’t rank in the top 5 of any category, above middle scores in every category and a high score for safety, which was determined by metrics like accident likelihood, traffic fatality rates and driving laws, put Plano right on the edge of the top 10.
But how did we stack up against other North Texas cities?
Arlington, Texas, came in at #19, Garland at #27, Fort Worth at #34, Irving at #38 and Dallas at #60. (Sorry Dallasites, Dallas ranked near the bottom in safety and 69th for traffic and infrastructure.)
Only one Texas city topped Plano, with Corpus Christi ranking third in the nation, mostly due to being the cheapest city for gas and seventh-cheapest for purchasing a new vehicle. Having the best-maintained bridges in the country also helped, WalletHub said.
As for traffic congestion, the study does not list where Plano falls specifically. However, the category that metric fell into ranked Plano at #37, so it could be much worse.
