Reading Ranks Among the Most Fustrating Towns & Cities to Drive in the UK

Reading is among the ten most frustrating places to drive in the UK.

The study, conducted by car insurance experts at Marshmallow, ranked Reading as the seventh most frustrating place for drivers, with only Bradford, Wolverhampton, Swindon, Oxford, St Albans, and Peterborough faring worse.

Researchers assessed key metrics such as number of parking spaces, average commute times, fuel costs, vehicle expenses and the availability of electric vehicle (EV) chargers to determine the rankings.

In Reading, the average car costs over £26,366. While the town has a relatively high density of EV chargers—159 per 100,000 residents—it has no NCP car parks, which typically allow drivers to obtain a ticket upon entry and pay later.

Other cities in the top 10 include Leeds, Middlesbrough, and Huddersfield. Bradford topped the list as the most frustrating city to drive in, with an average commute time of 44 minutes and just 39 EV chargers. Reading’s average commute time of 36 minutes is notably high given the town’s size.

In contrast, Manchester was identified as the most driver-friendly city in the UK. Despite its longer commutes and higher car prices, Manchester offers the most parking spaces and EV chargers, with 63 chargers per 100,000 people.

In summary, Reading ranked seventh on the list of the UK’s most frustrating cities to drive in, with an overall score of 2.70 out of 10.

It’s disappointing to see Reading ranked among the ten most frustrating places to drive in the UK. This unfortunate distinction highlights the ongoing challenges that drivers face, from lengthy commute times to a lack of adequate parking options. For a town with such a rich history and vibrant community, it’s frustrating that these persistent issues are not being adequately addressed, making daily commutes and travel a source of stress rather than convenience for its residents.