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Car finance ›
Happiest Driver Destinations
Updated: Tuesday, 26 March 2024
Which are the best countries in the world to drive in?
Across the world, millions of drivers get behind the wheel every day. Whether it’s to commute to work, take the kids to school, or embark on a road trip, cars are a source of freedom. So, it’s no surprise that finding a reliable car is so important, whether you’re looking to buy it outright or with car finance.
But where in the world are the happiest drivers? By diving into global motoring data, we’ve found the nations where drivers are the safest and most satisfied on the roads. We’ve also looked at average fuel costs and electric charging availability to see how that differs by country.
The 5 best countries in the world for drivers
1. United States: Happy driver score of 6.78/10
The USA is the happiest place to drive, even with the most cars per 1,000 people. America has around 280 million vehicles overall, which is around 80% of the population owning a vehicle, giving it the highest availability for driving. There were over 72,000 Google searches for ‘USA road trip’ in the last year, and with over 6 million kilometres of road, there are plenty of road trip routes!
2. Norway: Happy driver score of 6.64/10
Norway is the second happiest destination to drive in, scoring 6.64 out of 10. There were 2.1 deaths per 100,000 people on the roads in Norway, fewer than in any country other than Iceland. The country is also well set up for EV drivers, with an EV charging station every 3.9km in Norway and electricity costing just £0.08 per kWh.
3. Japan: Happy driver score of 6.59/10
Japan ranks as the third happiest destination to drive in. The country’s high road quality score of 6.1 out of 7 and low traffic deaths at 3.6 per 100,000 people suggest safe and reliable road conditions. The fuel cost is average (£0.86 per litre), and the relatively high number of EV charging stations (1 per 41.5 km) makes it accessible for conventional and electric vehicles. Japan’s higher number of cars per kilometre of road ratio (591 per km) reflects a dense network of roads accommodating many vehicles.
4. Canada: Happy driver score of 6.44/10
Canada is the fourth happiest country for drivers. The North American country has over a million kilometres of road network, which is relatively low in comparison to the vastness of the country, but there is high search interest for road trips. Road deaths in Canada are low at 5.3 per 100,000 people. It also has a cheap electricity cost for those looking to charge an EV, at £0.10 per kWh.
5. Iceland: Happy driver score of 6.25/10
Iceland, ranked as the fifth happiest country for drivers, is notable for its high interest in road trips (31,500 searches per 100,000 people). The high fuel cost (£1.83 per litre) is balanced by low electricity prices (£0.12 per kWh) and a shorter average distance between EV charging stations (12.5 km), making it an attractive destination for drivers of electric vehicles. The road quality score is slightly lower (4.1 out of 7), but the 2 road traffic deaths per 100,000 people indicate that the country is a safe destination for road trippers.
Which country has the highest demand for road trips?
United States: 72,500 annual ‘road trip’ searches
The country with the highest annual ‘road trip’ Google searches is the United States. This high interest in road trips in the US shows how the country’s vast landscapes, diverse environments, and well-developed road infrastructure make it an ideal destination for road trip enthusiasts.
Which country has the cheapest fuel?
United States: £0.74 per litre (petrol)/£0.85 per litre (diesel)
The country with the cheapest average fuel cost is the US, with petrol costing £0.74 per litre and diesel £0.85 per litre, averaging £0.79.
This low fuel cost contributes significantly to the United States’ appeal for road trips, making it more economical for residents and visitors to explore the vast and diverse landscapes across the country.
Which country has the cheapest electricity?
Turkey: £0.06 per kWh
Turkey has the cheapest electricity costs, at £0.06 per kWh. This low cost of electricity is a significant advantage for EV owners in Turkey, potentially reducing the overall expenses associated with them.
This can make driving an electric vehicle much more viable with the proper charging infrastructure.
Which country has the best charging station availability?
South Korea: 1 charging station every 0.5 km
South Korea has the lowest average road kilometres per electric vehicle (EV) charging station at just 0.5 km.
This figure shows an exceptionally high density of EV charging stations throughout South Korea, showing the country’s commitment to promoting electric vehicle use and reducing carbon emissions. In total, there are over 200,000 charging stations in the country.
Which country is the safest for drivers?
Iceland: 2 traffic deaths per 100,000 people
Iceland stands out for the best road safety record among the listed countries, with the lowest road traffic death rate at 2 per 100,000 people. This low rate reflects Iceland’s high standards of road safety, effective traffic regulations, and the overall safety consciousness of drivers and pedestrians alike.
Iceland’s approach to road safety includes strict driving regulations, widespread public awareness campaigns on the importance of safe driving practices, and robust infrastructure designed to minimise accidents.
Which country has the best roads?
Netherlands: Road quality score of 6.4 out of 7
The Netherlands stands out for the highest road quality score among the listed countries, scoring 6.4 out of 7. This score reflects the Netherlands’ commitment to maintaining and improving its road infrastructure, ensuring that roads are safe, efficient, and comfortable for all users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The country is renowned for its extensive network of well-maintained highways and urban and rural road systems that accommodate a traffic volume with minimal congestion and delays.
Which country has the most cars per person?
United States: 797 cars per 1,000 people
For the highest number of cars per 1,000 people, the United States leads with 797 vehicles per 1,000 people. This high ratio underscores the significant role that cars play in everyday life and mobility across the nation.
The high availability of cars in the United States is due to several factors, including economic prosperity, a vast and well-developed road infrastructure, and low use of public transportation in many regions. Additionally, the wide availability of cars makes it easier for people to buy them, with a strong market for both new and used vehicles.
Which country has the least congestion?
Sweden: 10.6 cars per km of road
For cars per kilometre of road, which shows congestion, Sweden has a notably low figure with 10.6 cars per kilometre. This ratio reflects the relatively low vehicle density on Swedish roads, suggesting less congestion than in countries with higher figures. Sweden’s practical road traffic management and commitment to sustainable transportation solutions contribute to this.
Sweden’s approach to urban planning and transportation policy emphasises the balance between vehicle use and alternative modes of transport, such as cycling and public transportation. This approach reduces congestion and promotes a healthier, more sustainable urban environment. The extensive investment in public transportation infrastructure and incentives for electric vehicle use are part of Sweden’s broader environmental goals, aiming to decrease carbon emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Methodology
The data in this study is accurate as of March 2024.
A seed list of countries was compiled from OECD member nations and developed nations with an HDI of over 8.
Searches for road trips were sourced using Google Ads Keyword Planner. Total global searches were taken between February 2023 and January 2024 for ‘road trip in [country]’.
The petrol and diesel prices per litre were sourced from GlobalPetrolPrices. We then averaged these prices to get an average fuel cost per litre. We also sourced the household electricity cost per kWh to find the best value for electric vehicle drivers. This data is accurate as of 26/02/24.
The number of EV chargers was sourced from the IEA’s Global EV Data Explorer. We then divided the number of kilometres of road by the number of EV charging stations to find the average number of kilometres between charging stations.
Road traffic deaths per 100,000 of the population were sourced from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Road quality scores were sourced from World Population Review.
The number of cars per 1,000 people was sourced from NationMaster.
We sourced the length of the road network in each country from CityPopulation. We then sourced the number of registered vehicles from the WHO. We calculated the average number of vehicles per kilometre using these two figures.
We calculated a score out of 10 for each country based on each factor and ranked them on this.
Which are the best countries in the world to drive in?
Across the world, millions of drivers get behind the wheel every day. Whether it’s to commute to work, take the kids to school, or embark on a road trip, cars are a source of freedom. So, it’s no surprise that finding a reliable car is so important, whether you’re looking to buy it outright or with car finance.
But where in the world are the happiest drivers? By diving into global motoring data, we’ve found the nations where drivers are the safest and most satisfied on the roads. We’ve also looked at average fuel costs and electric charging availability to see how that differs by country.
The 5 best countries in the world for drivers
1. United States: Happy driver score of 6.78/10
The USA is the happiest place to drive, even with the most cars per 1,000 people. America has around 280 million vehicles overall, which is around 80% of the population owning a vehicle, giving it the highest availability for driving. There were over 72,000 Google searches for ‘USA road trip’ in the last year, and with over 6 million kilometres of road, there are plenty of road trip routes!
2. Norway: Happy driver score of 6.64/10
Norway is the second happiest destination to drive in, scoring 6.64 out of 10. There were 2.1 deaths per 100,000 people on the roads in Norway, fewer than in any country other than Iceland. The country is also well set up for EV drivers, with an EV charging station every 3.9km in Norway and electricity costing just £0.08 per kWh.
3. Japan: Happy driver score of 6.59/10
Japan ranks as the third happiest destination to drive in. The country’s high road quality score of 6.1 out of 7 and low traffic deaths at 3.6 per 100,000 people suggest safe and reliable road conditions. The fuel cost is average (£0.86 per litre), and the relatively high number of EV charging stations (1 per 41.5 km) makes it accessible for conventional and electric vehicles. Japan’s higher number of cars per kilometre of road ratio (591 per km) reflects a dense network of roads accommodating many vehicles.
4. Canada: Happy driver score of 6.44/10
Canada is the fourth happiest country for drivers. The North American country has over a million kilometres of road network, which is relatively low in comparison to the vastness of the country, but there is high search interest for road trips. Road deaths in Canada are low at 5.3 per 100,000 people. It also has a cheap electricity cost for those looking to charge an EV, at £0.10 per kWh.
5. Iceland: Happy driver score of 6.25/10
Iceland, ranked as the fifth happiest country for drivers, is notable for its high interest in road trips (31,500 searches per 100,000 people). The high fuel cost (£1.83 per litre) is balanced by low electricity prices (£0.12 per kWh) and a shorter average distance between EV charging stations (12.5 km), making it an attractive destination for drivers of electric vehicles. The road quality score is slightly lower (4.1 out of 7), but the 2 road traffic deaths per 100,000 people indicate that the country is a safe destination for road trippers.
Which country has the highest demand for road trips?
United States: 72,500 annual ‘road trip’ searches
The country with the highest annual ‘road trip’ Google searches is the United States. This high interest in road trips in the US shows how the country’s vast landscapes, diverse environments, and well-developed road infrastructure make it an ideal destination for road trip enthusiasts.
Which country has the cheapest fuel?
United States: £0.74 per litre (petrol)/£0.85 per litre (diesel)
The country with the cheapest average fuel cost is the US, with petrol costing £0.74 per litre and diesel £0.85 per litre, averaging £0.79.
This low fuel cost contributes significantly to the United States’ appeal for road trips, making it more economical for residents and visitors to explore the vast and diverse landscapes across the country.
Which country has the cheapest electricity?
Turkey: £0.06 per kWh
Turkey has the cheapest electricity costs, at £0.06 per kWh. This low cost of electricity is a significant advantage for EV owners in Turkey, potentially reducing the overall expenses associated with them.
This can make driving an electric vehicle much more viable with the proper charging infrastructure.
Which country has the best charging station availability?
South Korea: 1 charging station every 0.5 km
South Korea has the lowest average road kilometres per electric vehicle (EV) charging station at just 0.5 km.
This figure shows an exceptionally high density of EV charging stations throughout South Korea, showing the country’s commitment to promoting electric vehicle use and reducing carbon emissions. In total, there are over 200,000 charging stations in the country.
Which country is the safest for drivers?
Iceland: 2 traffic deaths per 100,000 people
Iceland stands out for the best road safety record among the listed countries, with the lowest road traffic death rate at 2 per 100,000 people. This low rate reflects Iceland’s high standards of road safety, effective traffic regulations, and the overall safety consciousness of drivers and pedestrians alike.
Iceland’s approach to road safety includes strict driving regulations, widespread public awareness campaigns on the importance of safe driving practices, and robust infrastructure designed to minimise accidents.
Which country has the best roads?
Netherlands: Road quality score of 6.4 out of 7
The Netherlands stands out for the highest road quality score among the listed countries, scoring 6.4 out of 7. This score reflects the Netherlands’ commitment to maintaining and improving its road infrastructure, ensuring that roads are safe, efficient, and comfortable for all users, including drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The country is renowned for its extensive network of well-maintained highways and urban and rural road systems that accommodate a traffic volume with minimal congestion and delays.
Which country has the most cars per person?
United States: 797 cars per 1,000 people
For the highest number of cars per 1,000 people, the United States leads with 797 vehicles per 1,000 people. This high ratio underscores the significant role that cars play in everyday life and mobility across the nation.
The high availability of cars in the United States is due to several factors, including economic prosperity, a vast and well-developed road infrastructure, and low use of public transportation in many regions. Additionally, the wide availability of cars makes it easier for people to buy them, with a strong market for both new and used vehicles.
Which country has the least congestion?
Sweden: 10.6 cars per km of road
For cars per kilometre of road, which shows congestion, Sweden has a notably low figure with 10.6 cars per kilometre. This ratio reflects the relatively low vehicle density on Swedish roads, suggesting less congestion than in countries with higher figures. Sweden’s practical road traffic management and commitment to sustainable transportation solutions contribute to this.
Sweden’s approach to urban planning and transportation policy emphasises the balance between vehicle use and alternative modes of transport, such as cycling and public transportation. This approach reduces congestion and promotes a healthier, more sustainable urban environment. The extensive investment in public transportation infrastructure and incentives for electric vehicle use are part of Sweden’s broader environmental goals, aiming to decrease carbon emissions and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Methodology
The data in this study is accurate as of March 2024.
A seed list of countries was compiled from OECD member nations and developed nations with an HDI of over 8.
Searches for road trips were sourced using Google Ads Keyword Planner. Total global searches were taken between February 2023 and January 2024 for ‘road trip in [country]’.
The petrol and diesel prices per litre were sourced from GlobalPetrolPrices. We then averaged these prices to get an average fuel cost per litre. We also sourced the household electricity cost per kWh to find the best value for electric vehicle drivers. This data is accurate as of 26/02/24.
The number of EV chargers was sourced from the IEA’s Global EV Data Explorer. We then divided the number of kilometres of road by the number of EV charging stations to find the average number of kilometres between charging stations.
Road traffic deaths per 100,000 of the population were sourced from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Road quality scores were sourced from World Population Review.
The number of cars per 1,000 people was sourced from NationMaster.
We sourced the length of the road network in each country from CityPopulation. We then sourced the number of registered vehicles from the WHO. We calculated the average number of vehicles per kilometre using these two figures.
We calculated a score out of 10 for each country based on each factor and ranked them on this.
For a better road ahead
Moneybarn is a member of the Finance and Leasing Association, the official trade organisation of the motor finance industry. The FLA promotes best practice in the motor finance industry for lending and leasing to consumers and businesses.
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Moneybarn’s VAT registration number is 180 5559 52.
Moneybarn Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702781)
Moneybarn No. 1 Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services reference No. 702780)
