The average U.S. driver spends 49 hours a year in traffic. That significant fact leads to the loss of millions of dollars in productivity, so says a new 2026 study by WalletHub.

How to determine the most driver-friendly states in the U.S.

To determine the most driver-friendly state, WalletHub compared all 50 states across 31 key metrics. The data ranged from average gas price to rush hour congestion, to road quality, and other factors.

The U.S. has an amazing 10  out of the world’s 25 worst cities for traffic.

If you are stuck in traffic, road conditions can lend high emotions to the already stressful situation of your commute. If you are stuck in traffic on a bad road, that can fuel major stress and cause longer delays.

Where are the best states to drive in?

The best state to drive in, ranking 1-5, is absolutely no surprise. In order, Vermont, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Indiana. I have driven in all these states. Of course, states 2-4 have flat, wide-open highways with tremendous infrastructure and no traffic. Vermont is beautiful, my experience has been wonderful scenery, great roads, and clearly marked signage.

Where does New Jersey rank?

New Jersey ranks somewhere in the middle, on the cusp of best and worst states to drive in. Coming in at No.  27, New Jersey received the middle-of-the-pack rank due to a no-surprise ranking of 47th worst for traffic and infrastructure.

I know we have some tough roads, very tough roads, but the Garden State Parkway and the Turnpike, for the most part, are in much better shape than I have seen on other major roadways, namely Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and the traffic in Los Angeles, fuhgeddaboudit!

While New Jersey ranked 47th for traffic and infrastructure, they rank 7th overall for safety rank which helped in the overall average.

New Jersey also ranked 29th in car cost in ownership and maintenance.

These factors put New Jersey in the middle. We know we have traffic problems, we know we have infrastructure and road condition issues, but we also know how to drive safely. That is a good thing. Be careful out there.

For the full study and information, please follow the link below: Best & Worst States to Drive in 2026

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The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 weekend host Big Joe Henry. Any opinions expressed are Big Joe’s own.

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A man who paid an out-of-state minor to send him sexual photos and videos has been sentenced to federal prison.

Jeremy Greenwald, 47, of South Amboy, received a 15-year sentence on Thursday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey said in a statement. His sentence also includes 15 years of supervised release.

Greenwald previously pleaded guilty to receipt and possession of child pornography.

He communicated with the girl through an online chat service between May 2022 and February 2023, eventually persuading her to send about 70 images and videos performing sexual acts, authorities said. A review his financial records later found that he sent her between $7 and $10 on multiple occasions, according to the case’s criminal complaint.

Greenwald also sent the victim sex toys, lingerie and costumes, requesting that she use them while taking the photos and videos, federal prosecutors said.

In the complaint, FBI Special Agent Charles Paddock described records recovered when investigators searched Greenwald’s computer and three cell phones.

These included images and videos depicting prepubescent child sexual abuse, including those that the girl had sent him, as well as conversations between him and the child that involved explicit sexual language, Paddock wrote.

Investigators also said in the court document that he was living at his South Amboy residence by himself at the time of the crimes, the same location that the IP address connected to the conversations was traced to, and that he had accessed the internet with a secure and protected password.

The case was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 to combat the growing epidemic of child exploitation online.

Hundreds of people paid their respects to former New Jersey Gov. Richard Codey as his flag-draped casket was lying in state all day Thursday in Trenton. 

Codey, who died at 79 last week after a brief illness, served as a Democrat in the state legislature for more than 50 years, making him the Garden State’s longest-serving lawmaker. 

Codey’s wife Mary Jo, his children, friends, fellow legislators and members of the public filled the quiet rotunda of the State House to say their goodbyes. 

“I am going to remember him as my friend, 55 years of accompanying him down here to Trenton, to the constituents in our area,” Democratic New Jersey State Sen. John McKeon said. 

New Jersey’s “accidental” governor

Codey became know as New Jersey’s “accidental” governor when Democrat Jim McGreevey resigned amid scandal in 2004. 

As senate president at the time, Codey was next in line to the governorship because the state had not yet established the position of lieutenant governor. 

During his term, Codey used his signature humor to thank Republicans.

“Your criticism has been measured and fair … and it better stay that way,” Codey once said. 

“Dick Codey had a dry humor that loved comedy,” McKeon said. 

Remembered for mental health outreach

One of Codey’s main focuses was on mental health. He amplified his wife’s struggles with postpartum depression to help other moms. 

“I think that’s his epitaph. That’s who he was. He was empathetic. He would reach out, a people person,” McKeon said. 

Over the years, Codey said helping others deal with loss as a funeral director gave him that deep sense of empathy. 

Sherrill recalls Codey’s warm personality

Newly-inaugurated Gov. Mikie Sherrill remembered Codey campaigning for her congressional race at a diner. 

“He went to every single table with me and every person is like, ‘Oh, Governor Codey, I have your book! Oh, you’ve coached basketball for my kid!’ He had such a warmth about him, such a connection to people, to everyday people,” Sherrill said. “I hope he is watching down on us here in New Jersey.” 

The visitation for Codey is on Friday, before his funeral scheduled for Saturday at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.