When it comes to driving experience, one online ranking says Connecticut and Rhode Island have plenty of room for improvement.

WalletHub, a credit report site which frequently issues reports ranking states on a number of different quality of life topics, recently published its list of the best and worst states to drive in. Connecticut placed 46th with a score of 48.67, while Rhode Island came in 43rd with a score of 49.49.

Texas earned the top spot on the list with a score of 63.68, followed by Kansas with a score of 63.56 and Nebraska at 63.09. Hawaii was ranked as the worst state to drive in with a score of 31.38, far behind the next lowest ranked states of Washington (44.08) and Maryland (48.31).

The scores were based on four categories: cost of ownership and maintenance, traffic and infrastructure, safety, and access to vehicles and maintenance.

The cost of ownership and maintenance category took gas prices, maintenance bills, and average car insurance premiums into consideration. It also looked at extra vehicle operating costs arising from factors such as lost time and fuel due to traffic congestion.

For traffic and infrastructure, WalletHub looked at rush hour congestion, average commute time, roadway miles per 1,000 people, and the quality of a state's roads and bridges. Weather conditions were also factored in, with the typical number of icy days or days with precipitation being counted toward the score.

WalletHub used two previous studies on high-risk driving and driving under the influence for its safety category, as well as traffic fatality rates, the strength of driving laws, and the frequency of vehicle thefts and larceny. One composite metric used in this category measured "traffic indiscipline," or the number of incidents caused by irresponsible driving behaviors such as distraction and speeding.

The access to vehicles and maintenance category looked at the per capita availability of five different amenities: car dealerships, repair shops, car washes, gas stations, and parking lots or garages.

Connecticut and Rhode Island performed well in the safety category, ranking third and second, respectively. Connecticut also came in 24th in the access to vehicles and maintenance category, while Rhode Island was ranked 46th.

Connecticut placed 47th in the cost of ownership and maintenance category, and 45th in traffic and infrastructure. Rhode Island was ranked 41st in the former category and 44th in the latter.

Alabama was named the top state for vehicle and maintenance ownership costs, while Nebraska placed first in traffic and infrastructure. New York earned the top spot for safety, while California was ranked first for access to vehicles and maintenance.

WalletHub determined that Mississippi had the lowest percentage of rush hour traffic congestion, which was highest in California. Gas prices were lowest in Missouri and highest in Hawaii, while vehicle maintenance costs were cheapest in Oregon and most expensive in New York.

California was named as having the most auto repair shops and car washes per capita, while Alaska had the fewest repair shops and Hawaii had the fewest gas stations. WalletHub ranked Vermont as having the lowest car theft rate and New Mexico as the highest. The site determined that California had the fewest days with precipitation while New Hampshire had the most.

The analysis also included feedback from a variety of professionals who were asked how people might lower their vehicle ownership costs. Recommendations included buying a used car, getting a hybrid or electric vehicle, considering ridesharing instead of purchasing a second vehicle, and avoiding aggressive driving in order to conserve fuel.

WalletHub's rankings were based on data from U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, AAA, the Federal Highway Administration, and a number of other sources.