New Jersey One of the Worst States in the Country to Drive

I'm not sure we really need a study to know that driving in New Jersey, especially Central Jersey, is not an enjoyable experience. From 287 to the Parkway to Route 1, and every other road and highway it's usually an unpleasant experience. We've all spent over an hour driving only a mile or two on more than one occasion.

A recent in-depth study by the automotive experts at mechanicbase.com examined various driving conditions across the United States. Utah is the clear winner, boasting the lowest congestion, fatalities, gas prices, and high-quality roads.

In contrast, New York is the worst. New York ranks the worst for driving due to extreme congestion, especially in New York City, and has an overall score of 40. The state also suffers from poor infrastructure and hazardous winter conditions. High gas prices and a lengthy average commute time of 33.5 minutes add to the misery.

New Jersey doesn't fare much better. While New York is the worst, New Jersey is in the top 10 worst states to drive in. The Garden State landed at the 8th worst in the nation with a score of 50.2. It has the longest average commute time at 32 minutes and is the most densely populated state. High gas prices and poor road maintenance further make it a nightmare for drivers. We also have high numbers of registered vehicles which adds to congestion.

Major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago have heavy traffic congestion, impacting their overall scores negatively. Gas prices are also a major determinant, with western states benefiting from cheaper fuel while northeastern states pay a premium. The study helps with understanding the complexities and variances of driving conditions across the country. It also allows for better planning and decision-making for everyday commuters and policymakers.

The study assessed driving conditions in all 50 states using 10 key criteria. Each was assigned a weighted score between 40 and 100 for its impact on the driving experience. The individual scores were then normalized and aggregated to produce a final composite score, ranging from 40 to 85, that provides a comprehensive overview of each state's driving conditions.

Check out the full study here.

Summer has arrived, so it's time to plan a vacation and some day trips. Deciding what to do can be difficult, but TripAdvisor did a little research, a little surveying, and a little analysis to help vacationers like us make the most of our travel experience.

They timed their information gathering perfectly for the summer vacation season, and have come out with its annual Travelers' Choice Awards Best of the Best "Things to Do" list, described as “a definitive list of extraordinary experiences for travelers looking to create memorable moments.”

Most cities have attractions that visitors won’t want to miss, but they have narrowed it down to some of the best ones in the country and the world. Therefore, based on their user reviews, TripAdvisor has singled out the top place you might want to visit.

I've listed their top five United States attractions below, however, if you are headed out of the country for your vacation, you may want to think about Barcelona, Spain, where the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia was named the Top International Attraction, followed by The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, and the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

A complete list of top attractions, and other great experiences, can be found at TripAdvisor.com, but here are the top five in the U.S. with three of them easy to drive to.

The Empire State Building is the World's Most Famous Building. It's 1,454 ft from ground to antenna and features the only 360-degree open-air vantage point of Midtown.  The 34th St Lobby entrance features a grand staircase with a 2-story architectural model of the building.

With 843 acres in the heart of Manhattan, people have been visiting for more than 150 years. The Park has been managed by the Central Park Conservancy for over 40 years, in partnership with the public. The park is open every day from 6 am to 1 am.

Iolani Palace is a National Historic Landmark in downtown Honolulu. It's the official residence of Hawaii’s monarchy. It was built in 1882 by King Kalakaua. Aloha!

The National September 11 Memorial and Museum remembers and honors the 2,983 people killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993.  It also honors those who risked their lives to save others and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath of the attacks. It's open every day from 10 am to 5 pm.

It's the top-rated tourist destination in New Orleans and #2 in the U.S. It features exhibits, multimedia experiences, and a large collection of artifacts. There are first-person historical narrations that take you inside the story of the war. You can also tour and ride on an authentically restored PT-boat.