Owning a car can be pricey, but in some cities, it’s worth the hit to your wallet. The time savings and day-to-day ease of driving in these regions can make buying a car the smarter choice. Here’s where it really pays off to have your own wheels.
Las Vegas
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Las Vegas tops the list for time saved behind the wheel. Locals cut down commute times by 52.3 minutes every weekday by driving instead of using public transportation. That adds up to 9.1 days every year—more than a full week off your schedule.
San Jose
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Drivers in San Jose save 50.8 minutes a day, yet ditching the car also saves $7,488 a year. It’s a city where both time and money are on the table. The choice depends on what matters more, your wallet or your time. Either way, the margins are significant.
Nashville
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Nashville’s growth has outpaced its public transit expansion. Owning a car here gives commuters a major leg up, with the average time gain exceeding half an hour each weekday. Drivers get more control over their schedule—a big deal in a city where delays can eat into your evenings.
El Paso
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In El Paso, Texas, public transportation commuters lose nearly 47 minutes daily compared to drivers. Public transit is less developed here, and driving can feel more like a necessity than a choice. If you’ve got places to be and limited hours, owning a car is a clear win.
Fort Worth
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Commuters from Fort Worth save 44.4 minutes every weekday by driving. Public transit here just can’t keep up with the sprawl. Even if fuel and insurance add up, the extra 7.8 days per year reclaimed from long commutes could be worth every penny, especially for workers on tight schedules.
Raleigh
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Raleigh, North Carolina, is another mid-size city where cars drastically outperform public transit in speed. Even a modest 30-minute daily gain translates to 5 full days per year. Factor in this place’s unpredictable weather and limited transit routes, and driving quickly becomes the easier option.
San Antonio
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In San Antonio, driving trims an average of 42.3 minutes from your daily round-trip commute. That’s over seven extra days per year to spend how you want. Public transit in this city hasn’t caught up to demand.
Phoenix
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Considering the Phoenix summer heat and spread-out neighborhoods, owning a car is about comfort and consistency. The city’s residents who own cars save 41.3 minutes per day compared to public transit users, which amounts to approximately 7.2 full days per year.
Detroit
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As for Detroit drivers, they shave off 40.5 minutes a day compared to those taking public transit. That’s around 7.1 days back in your year. In a city with roots in the auto industry, it makes sense that roads are built for drivers.
Indianapolis
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Own a ride in Indianapolis, and you’ll save 39.2 minutes every weekday. It’s because transit options here are limited, especially in outer neighborhoods. The city layout favors drivers, and that nearly 7-day annual time savings might mean fewer late mornings and more relaxed evenings.
San Diego
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San Diego drivers save 38.9 minutes per day, while public transit users save $8,676 per year by ditching their cars. It’s one of the few cities where the savings are dramatic on both ends. Choosing depends on whether your priority is budget or lifestyle speed.
Charlotte
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Charlotte has an expanding economy and traffic to match. Transit is improving, but drivers still beat the bus by a wide margin. The freedom to jump in your car and go, without syncing up with schedules or delays, is often worth the trade-off in maintenance costs.
Columbus
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In Columbus, Ohio, people with cars save 37.3 minutes per day. That adds up to 6.5 days every year. Bus routes in this area often lack direct service between suburbs and workplaces, so cars are a significant advantage.
Atlanta
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Though not among the top 10 time-saving cities, Atlanta deserves a mention on our list. The sprawling metro areas and slow MARTA service mean most residents find that driving saves them dozens of minutes daily. The city’s setup practically demands a personal vehicle to stay punctual—and sane—in traffic.
Tampa
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Tampa’s public transit network is small and slow, which gives car owners a significant advantage in terms of time efficiency. Even short trips can drag out when relying on buses. For residents juggling work and family, the car is less of a luxury and more of a necessity.
