Most expensive states to operate a car
(MoneyWatch) The most expensive states to operate a vehicle largely won their top slots as the result of high state taxes and fees, and sometimes because of lengthy average commute times that caused gasoline expenses to soar, according to BankRate.com's just released survey of the annual cost of operating a vehicle.
See which states are most expensive for drivers.
Most expensive states to operate a car
1. Georgia
Auto repair costs in Georgia are a relatively reasonable $385 annually, but taxes and fees slam state residents with an average cost of $1,952 -- more than 10 times the cost of taxes and fees in Oregon, the least costly state to operate a car, where taxes and fees are a paltry $157. Lengthy average commutes also set Georgia residents back with gasoline costs, spending an average of $1,129 at the pump and about $767 for auto insurance. Total cost to operate a car: $4,233 annually.
Most expensive states to operate a car
2. California
It probably comes as no surprise that the Golden State ranks as the nation's second most expensive to operate a car. But it's not the cost of idling in traffic that earns California this dubious distinction; it's mainly because of the cost of taxes and fees, according to BankRate.com. The state's residents pay an average of $390 for repairs, $1,809 for taxes and fees, $980 for gasoline; $786 for insurance for a grand total of $3,966. On the bright side, according to GoBankingRates, you can finance your vehicle for a mere 0.99 percent if you happen to be a member of Burbank Federal Credit Union in Southern California.
Most expensive states to operate a car
3. Wyoming
Wide open spaces may be the draw for those who want to live in Wyoming, but they also make for long commutes for those working in the Cowboy State. Wyoming residents spend more on gasoline than residents of any other state -- a whopping $1,643 on average. Other costs of car ownership include $324 for repairs; $1,341 for taxes and fees and $630 for insurance for a total of $3,938.
Most expensive states to operate a car
4. Rhode Island
Like California, the main reason Rhode Island makes the list of most expensive states to operate a car is because of the taxes and fees imposed on drivers, which amount to a whopping $1,717. Rhode Island residents pay an average of $371 for repairs, $826 for gasoline, but a relatively pricey $999 on average for insurance. Total: $3,913.
Most expensive states to operate a car
5. Nevada
Taxes and fees also account for the bulk of car ownership costs in Nevada, where repairs run about $364 annually, taxes and fees levy a $1,741 bite, gasoline costs about $811 and insurance $970 for an annual cost of ownership of $3,886.
To see where your state ranks in BankRate's 50-state survey, click here.