Driving can be a hassle, no matter where you live. However, in some U.S. cities driving is a little more tolerable, with shorter commutes, lower insurance premiums, improved road conditions and infrastructure to minimize traffic.

Variations from state-to-state and city-to-city make some areas less road-rage prone than others. In compiling a list of the 10 Best Cities for Car Drivers, NerdWallet analyzed the expenses of owning a vehicle, including gas prices and insurance premiums, population density, traffic patterns, daily commutes, weather conditions and more to determine which cities are the best for car drivers.

Click through the following slides to see which states came out on top.

10. Oklahoma City, Okla.

Annual Hours of Delay per Commuter: 38

Population Density (People per Square Mile): 956.4

Average Gas Prices: $3.42

Average Insurance Premium: $1,242.17

Average Number of Days with Precipitation per Year: 77

Score for Car Owners: 78.36

Fuel pipelines running throughout the state of Oklahoma allow gas retailers in the area to buy a surplus of gas at reduced prices, making fuel more affordable in the Oklahoma City area than elsewhere in the country, with gas prices at only $3.42 on average. Additionally, of the 50 largest cities in the United States, Oklahoma City also has the lowest population density, with only 956 people per square mile, lowering the risk of vehicle collisions.

9. San Antonio, Texas

Annual Hours of Delay per Commuter: 38

Population Density (People per Square Mile): 2,879.8

Average Gas Prices: $3.39

Average Insurance Premium: $1,120.88

Average Number of Days with Precipitation per Year: 74

Score for Car Owners: 78.53

San Antonio boasts both a sprawling metropolitan center and rural outskirts, and even though it is the second-largest community in Texas, none of San Antonio's roads made the top 25 on the Texas Department of Transportation's list of the most congested roadways in the state.

Well-managed traffic flow helps to minimize commute times in the area, with drivers spending an average of 38 hours a year in addition to their regular commutes.

8. Fresno, California

Annual Hours of Delay per Commuter: 15

Population Density (People per Square Mile): 4,418.4

Average Gas Prices: $4.02

Average Insurance Premium: $837.50

Average Number of Days with Precipitation per Year: 43

Score for Car Owners: 79.06

From its founding in 1872 by the Central Pacific Railroad Co., Fresno, Calif. has a long history as a transportation-oriented city. While trains are no longer the primary mode of transportation in the area, the city's flat and wide roads provide drivers with clear driving conditions on a regular basis. Fresno residents also enjoy low insurance rates at just $837.50 annually.

7. Bakersfield, California

Annual Hours of Delay per Commuter: 12

Population Density (People per Square Mile): 2,444.2

Average Gas Prices: $4.07

Average Insurance Premium: $838.91

Average Number of Days with Precipitation per Year: 35

Score for Car Owners: 81.85

The population in Bakersfield, Calif. grew a whopping 43.6% from 2000 to 2012, and to meet the needs of its growing population, the Thomas Roads Improvement Program has been implemented to relieve the stress on outdated infrastructure to facilitate regional mobility, economic growth and development, as well as reduce travel time. With only 12 hours of delays annually, Bakersfield drivers, on average, sit in traffic less than commuters in any other major U.S. city.

6. Wichita, Kansas

Annual Hours of Delay per Commuter: 20

Population Density (People per Square Mile): 2,400.4

Average Gas Prices: $3.50

Average Insurance Premium: $1,192.44

Average Number of Days with Precipitation per Year: 80

Score for Car Owners: 81.95

Wichita's residents spend only of 20 hours a year in traffic and pay an average of $3.50 per gallon in gas. Combined with the city's lower population density, drivers enjoy the benefits of shorter commutes and lower driving expenses than other states.

5. Colorado Springs, Colorado

Annual Hours of Delay per Commuter: 26

Population Density (People per Square Mile): 2,140.6

Average Gas Prices: $3.39

Average Insurance Premium: $1,041.98

Average Number of Days with Precipitation per Year: 83

Score for Car Owners: 82.45

Residents in Colorado Springs not only enjoy the city's beautiful scenic views, but also cheap gas and quick commutes. With approximately 2,140 people per square mile, traffic delays are around 26 hours per year, which is much lower than many other large U.S. cities.

4. Phoenix, Arizona

Annual Hours of Delay per Commuter: 35

Population Density (People per Square Mile): 2,797.8

Average Gas Prices: $3.51

Average Insurance Premium: $1,029.49

Average Number of Days with Precipitation per Year: 28

Score for Car Owners: 84.68

Phoenix, Ariz. is the safest city for drivers among cities with populations over 1 million. Despite higher population density, locals report traffic collisions at only slightly above the national rate. In addition, the arid climate and low precipitation in the area allows for good road conditions for much of the year.

3. El Paso, Texas

Annual Hours of Delay per Commuter: 32

Population Density (People per Square Mile): 2,543.2

Average Gas Prices: $3.47

Average Insurance Premium: $1,024.83

Average Number of Days with Precipitation per Year: 42

Score for Car Owners: 84.76

Texas, along with Maine and North Dakota, is one of the six states in the U.S. with a 75 mph speed limit on both urban and rural interstates, making it easier and faster to get around on the open road. El Paso drivers have an average commuter delay of 32 hours a year. Combined with the low cost of gas, mild weather conditions and affordable insurance, El Paso is a driver-friendly city.

2. Tucson, Arizona

Annual Hours of Delay per Commuter: 38

Population Density (People per Square Mile): 2,294.2

Average Gas Prices: $3.36

Average Insurance Premium: $810.78

Average Number of Days with Precipitation per Year: 44

Score for Car Owners: 85.63

Arizona's lower taxes contributes to Tucson's gas prices, which are lower than those in much of the country. With insurance rates at around $810 per year, driving a vehicle in Tucson is a little easier on the wallet.

1. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Annual Hours of Delay per Commuter: 29

Population Density (People per Square Mile): 2,907.6

Average Gas Prices: $3.38

Average Insurance Premium: $961.16

Average Number of Days with Precipitation per Year: 53

Score for Car Owners: 86.03

Albuquerque, on the whole, is a great city for drivers. The city's arid climate and open roads provide drivers with ideal conditions. Combining a relatively low car insurance rate, at just $961.16 per year on average, along with relatively low gas prices, the cost of owning and operating a vehicle is also relatively low. Although Albuquerque has struggled with a high rate of car thefts in recent years, the city's police force has been working to confront the issue within the last few years by placing bait cars around the city to catch more than 80 suspected thieves. Albuquerque's scores across the board make it one of America's greatest cities for drivers.

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10 Best Cities for Car Drivers

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