In most cities in the U.S., a car is practically a necessity to get around. That?s more true in some areas than others, which is one of the main reasons car ownership rates vary between cities. For example, fewer than 70% of households in New York City ? which has a relatively comprehensive public transportation system ? have access to a car, while some cities have rates of access above 95%.

The following 10 cities have the highest rates of car ownership in the country:

1. Raleigh, North Carolina

2. Nashville, Tennessee

3. Riverside, California

4. Austin, Texas

5. Dallas, Texas

6. Orlando, Florida

7. Charlotte, North Carolina

8. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

9. Houston, Texas

10. Salt Lake City, Utah
Whether it?s due to a lack of access to public transportation, the effect of urban and suburban sprawl, or any other number of reasons, having access to a car is clearly critical in these places.

1. Raleigh, North Carolina

Households With Access to a Vehicle: 96.1%

Workers Who Commute by Car: 82%

Average Commute Time: 24.4 minutes

Average Annual Time Lost in Rush-Hour Traffic: 51 hours

Raleigh, North Carolina?s capital, has the highest percentage of households with access to a car in the country. About 82% of the city?s workforce commutes to their jobs by car, with 75% traveling alone rather than carpooling. Numbers like these explain why you?ll often find Oak City drivers jam-packed along Raleigh?s major arteries like the I-4...