A new report ranking Washington among the worst states to drive in has reignited discussion about the Pacific Northwest’s growing traffic and infrastructure challenges. The study, conducted by financial research site WalletHub, evaluated every state based on factors like traffic congestion, road quality, safety, and maintenance costs. Washington landed near the bottom of the list, with particularly low marks for commute times and roadway conditions.

For residents of Cowlitz County, the findings are unlikely to come as a shock. Anyone traveling I-5 between Kelso and Vancouver knows the frustration of bottlenecks and deteriorating pavement. The state’s persistent investment gap in road maintenance and congestion relief has left rural and suburban drivers alike stranded in slow-moving lanes. Many locals also point to the proliferation of large trucks hauling goods between Portland, Longview, and Seattle as a key factor in roadway wear and tear.

Critics of state transportation planning argue that Washington’s heavy focus on rail and urban light transit has left motorists behind, particularly outside metropolitan hubs. Some transportation reform advocates counter that the state’s congestion problems stem more from rapid population growth and underfunded infrastructure, not mismanagement. Whatever the cause, the ranking underscores a simple fact: driving in Washington is becoming slower, pricier, and more stressful each year.

Locally, the consequences are more than inconvenience. Freight efficiency through the Port of Longview and area industrial zones depends on reliable roadways. Delays along I-5 can ripple outward, affecting delivery times, worker commutes, and the regional economy. Cowlitz County leaders have repeatedly called for more balanced state investment that addresses both transit innovation and road repair, ensuring small cities like Longview and Kelso aren’t left behind in statewide planning priorities.

While the WalletHub report may sting the state’s driving reputation, it could also serve as a wake-up call. As infrastructure debates heat up again in Olympia, southwest Washington residents have a clear stake in ensuring their needs are heard—before the roads get any worse.

Source: KOIN: Washington is one of the worst places to drive in the US, report says