Where Are America’s Best & Worst Drivers?

Allstate is sharing its 2026 America's Best Drivers Report that reveals the safest and riskiest U.S. cities for drivers. Researchers say drivers in the safest U.S. cities can go years longer between collisions, reducing risk and helping keep insurance costs more manageable. Allstate also says the report highlights how location and everyday driving habits influence both safety and, in turn, the costs drivers may ultimately face.

Brownsville, Texas, ranks #1 for a second year in a row when it comes to the safest city. At the other end of the spectrum, Boston remains the most-collision prone. Waco, TX, is the most improved city year-over-year, (+40 spots). Detroit on the other hand saw the steepest decline in the report (-38 spots). 

This year's report, in its 18th year, ranks the 200 largest U.S. cities based on auto insurance claims data and includes insights from Drivewise, available in the Allstate mobile app.   Drivewise provides feedback on behaviors such as speeding, braking and phone use to help drivers improve how they driver. Together, Allstate says the data shows how often crashes occur and highlights behaviors that increase risk, which gives drivers actionable ways to stay safer, avoid the costs associated with collisions and help lower their insurance costs over time.

“Where you drive plays a role in your risk, but how and when you drive matters just as much," said Laura Hoffman, vice president of auto design and telematics at Allstate.. By pairing claims data with driving insights such as speeding, hard braking and phone use from Allstate’s Drivewise, we’re helping drivers take simple steps to prevent crashes and keep insurance costs down.”

Allstate says its policies represent approximately 10% of all U.S. auto policies, making the report a broad snapshot of driving trends across the country.

Top 10 Safest and Riskiest Cities For Drivers  

Allstate says drivers in the safest cities are nearly four times less likely to experience a crash. Brownsville, Texas, tops the list as the safest city, with drivers going nearly 15 years between collisions. 

Rankings are based on Allstate claims data and the highest average years between collisions.

Safest Cities

1. Brownsville, TX
2. Fort Collins, CO
3. Boise, ID
4. Laredo, TX
5. Cary, NY
6. Madison, WI
7. McAllen, TX (New to Top 10)
8. Colorado Springs, CO
9. Eugene, OR
10.Olathe, KS

Riskiest Cities

Boston remains the most collision-prone, with drivers averaging 3.76 years between collisions. Allstate sats Boston drivers are 189% more likely to experience a collision than the national average, which, you guessed it, can lead to higher costs, including repairs and insurance prices.

Driver Behavior Insights

Allstate is also sharing new insights from Drivewise that show how habits like speeding, hard braking, phone use and nighttime driving influence driving risk across the country. The goal is to help drivers understand these patterns in real time to help lower their chances of a collision and save money. 

• Nighttime driving is highest in Washington, D.C., Las Vegas and New York City. Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia, including Alexandria and Arlington, and the Las Vegas Valley are among the highest for nighttime driving. Nighttime driving can increase risk due to reduced visibility and a higher likelihood of fatigue or impaired driving.
• Phone use is elevated in major metros. Cities like Miami, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Boston are among the highest for phone use while driving, which AllState says shows how distraction is more prevalent in dense, urban environments.
• Speeding varies by market. Bridgeport, Connecticut, has the highest levels of speeding, followed by Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Chicago and three Alabama cities — Mobile, Birmingham and Huntsville. Speeding can reduce driver reaction time and make collisions more severe.
• Hard braking is most elevated in Arizona and North Carolina. The highest rates of hard braking are in North Carolina and Arizona, with Raleigh, Fayetteville and Durham, North Carolina, and Chandler, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa and Gilbert, Arizona, all among the highest. Hard braking can signal stop-and-go driving or close following, which may increase collision risk.

To read more about the Allstate study click here.

Editorial Use Only: Washington, DC, May 2025. Credit: Kosoff/Shutterstock.com.