Montana Ranks Low in Driving Quality Despite Scenic Roads

WalletHub study finds Big Sky state lags in cost, access, and safety despite top traffic infrastructure

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A new WalletHub study on the best and worst states for driving has revealed that Montana, despite its scenic highways, ranks poorly overall. While the state excels in traffic and infrastructure, coming in at #3 nationally, it falls short in other key metrics like cost of ownership and maintenance (#47), access to vehicles and maintenance (#42), and safety (#48). The report highlights how Montana's wide open roads and smaller population don't necessarily translate to an optimal driving experience for residents and visitors.

Why it matters

As one of the largest states geographically, Montana's driving conditions and costs are an important quality of life factor for both residents and the many tourists who visit to experience the state's natural beauty. The WalletHub rankings provide valuable insights into the tradeoffs Montanans face when it comes to driving, which can inform infrastructure investments, consumer behavior, and policy decisions.

The details

The WalletHub study evaluated states across four key metrics: traffic and infrastructure, cost of ownership and maintenance, access to vehicles and maintenance, and safety. While Montana excelled in traffic and infrastructure, ranking 3rd nationally, it fell short in the other categories. Montana ranked 47th in cost of ownership and maintenance, 42nd in access to vehicles and maintenance, and 48th in safety.

  • WalletHub released its latest state driving rankings on February 14, 2026.

The players

WalletHub

A personal finance website that conducts research and provides data-driven analysis on a variety of consumer topics, including an annual study on the best and worst states for driving.

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The takeaway

While Montana's scenic highways and open roads make it a premier destination for road trips, the state's driving experience is hampered by higher costs, limited access to vehicles and maintenance, and safety concerns according to the WalletHub study. This highlights the need for continued infrastructure investment and policy solutions to improve the overall driving landscape for both residents and visitors.