When traveling to the Aloha State of Hawaii forget about renting a car or taking an Uber on the Island of Oahu, but think about riding a Charley’s.
The worst American States for visitors and locals to drive are Hawaii and California according to a 2018 survey by the “Bankrate Best States for Drivers Study. In Hawaii roads are so bad, that there is a fair likelihood of damage to your car, not only when driving on remote roadways, even when driving on the Interstate Freeway H1 or H2.
Visitors from the European Union used to drive on even and clean roads are in for a shocking experience when arriving in paradise.
North Dakota slides into the top spot when it comes to states that are affordable, safe and reliable for drivers, according to the 2018 Bankrate Best States for Drivers Study. The Rough Rider State is followed by Iowa, Ohio, Minnesota, and Nebraska as states that tend to be convenient, safe and affordable for drivers.
| RANK | STATE | SAFETY SCORE | COST SCORE | DRIVING QUALITY SCORE | TOTAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Source: Bankrate.com | |||||
| 1 | North Dakota | 5.1 | 17.1 | 19 | 41.2 |
| 2 | Iowa | 5.5 | 18.15 | 17.2 | 40.85 |
| 3 | Ohio | 7 | 20.1 | 11.6 | 38.7 |
| 4 | Minnesota | 7.8 | 15.6 | 15 | 38.4 |
| 5 | Nebraska | 4.9 | 15.3 | 17 | 37.2 |
| 6 | Indiana | 6.1 | 15.9 | 14.4 | 36.4 |
| 7 | Kansas | 3.4 | 15.75 | 16 | 35.15 |
| 8 | Wyoming | 6.7 | 8.7 | 19.2 | 34.6 |
| 9 | South Dakota | 5.8 | 12.15 | 16.4 | 34.35 |
| 9 | Vermont | 9.5 | 15.45 | 9.4 | 34.35 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | 7.2 | 17.55 | 9 | 33.75 |
| 12 | Idaho | 5.2 | 12.75 | 15 | 32.95 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 8.2 | 17.55 | 6.8 | 32.55 |
| 14 | Maine | 8 | 15.75 | 8.6 | 32.35 |
| 15 | North Carolina | 5.9 | 13.65 | 11 | 30.55 |
| 16 | Tennessee | 2.9 | 14.25 | 12.6 | 29.75 |
| 17 | Missouri | 2.8 | 16.5 | 10.2 | 29.5 |
| 18 | Utah | 5.3 | 9.3 | 14.4 | 29 |
| 19 | Virginia | 8.5 | 14.1 | 6.2 | 28.8 |
| 20 | Kentucky | 2.7 | 10.35 | 15.6 | 28.65 |
| 21 | Arkansas | 2.6 | 13.2 | 12.8 | 28.6 |
| 22 | Alabama | 2.5 | 13.65 | 12 | 28.15 |
| 23 | Illinois | 7 | 12.9 | 7.4 | 27.3 |
| 24 | Arizona | 2.5 | 14.1 | 10.6 | 27.2 |
| 25 | Montana | 2.6 | 6.9 | 17.6 | 27.1 |
| 25 | Oklahoma | 2.3 | 14.4 | 10.4 | 27.1 |
| 27 | Oregon | 2.1 | 8.7 | 15.2 | 26 |
| 28 | Michigan | 6.1 | 9.45 | 10.2 | 25.75 |
| 29 | Mississippi | 3.9 | 12.75 | 8.4 | 25.05 |
| 29 | South Carolina | 1.3 | 13.95 | 9.8 | 25.05 |
| 31 | Alaska | 0.5 | 10.35 | 13.8 | 24.65 |
| 32 | New Mexico | 1.4 | 13.2 | 9.4 | 24 |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | 7.2 | 12.3 | 4.2 | 23.7 |
| 34 | West Virginia | 4.8 | 10.95 | 7.8 | 23.55 |
| 35 | Delaware | 6.5 | 8.4 | 8.6 | 23.5 |
| 36 | Massachusetts | 9.5 | 12.45 | 1.4 | 23.35 |
| 37 | Nevada | 2.5 | 5.7 | 15 | 23.2 |
| 38 | Florida | 3.6 | 7.2 | 10.6 | 21.4 |
| 39 | Georgia | 3.8 | 6.75 | 10.8 | 21.35 |
| 40 | Texas | 3.4 | 12.3 | 4.8 | 20.5 |
| 41 | Louisiana | 2.8 | 10.35 | 6.2 | 19.35 |
| 42 | New York | 9.4 | 5.85 | 3.8 | 19.05 |
| 43 | Colorado | 3.2 | 7.35 | 8 | 18.55 |
| 44 | Rhode Island | 8.9 | 4.2 | 5.4 | 18.5 |
| 45 | Maryland | 7 | 7.05 | 4.2 | 18.25 |
| 46 | Washington | 5 | 7.5 | 4.6 | 17.1 |
| 47 | New Jersey | 8.8 | 6.15 | 1.8 | 16.75 |
| 48 | Connecticut | 6.8 | 2.55 | 5.6 | 14.95 |
| 49 | Hawaii | 3.8 | 5.1 | 2.6 | 11.5 |
| 50 | California | 3.6 | 1.8 | 1 | 6.4 |
What about riding Charley’s? Charley’s is an experience on its own. It’s authentic, local, fun, fast, safe and it may actually save you money and a headache.
The bad news for taxi companies like Charley’s is good news for visitors in Hawaii. The last taxicab rate increase took effect on June 13, of 2013 based on price condition from 2011 to 2012
This is surprising because Hawaii has the highest cost of living in the United States, the highest housing rates, the highest taxation, and the highest cost of doing business.
In addition, Hawaii is number 2 right behind California when it comes to traffic congestion, number 1 in potholed roads, and number 1 in unfunded liabilities.
Rental car companies are known to go after their unsuspected customers when they are forced to drive on Hawaiian streets and they hit one of the thousands of dangerous potholes. Therefore when renting a car in Honolulu buying insurance may be the best expensive investment to include.
Standing in line to get a rental car is often the first impression a visitor has when arriving in Honolulu after a long flight. Santa Monica, California resident Jon-Paul Chevalier arrived in Honolulu last week trying to get his pre-booked and pre-paid Avis rental car. It took him 3 hours in line, but he finally gave up and went to the Hertz car rental counter and took a less luxurious car offered to him on the spot.
Parking anywhere in Waikiki is not only difficult but extremely expensive and often costs more than your car-rental rate.
THE BUS is a good alternative. It’s inexpensive, clean, you can take your bicycle, but of course, it can be very time-consuming.
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Taking an Uber or Lyft is easy, but it’s taking a risk. The Honolulu City Council refused to cap Uber and Lyft Surge Pricing. It means rideshare companies may charge you the most of any ground transportation. In addition, safety in an Uber or Lyft vehicle is a less insured option a visitors should keep in mind and not underestimate. This is specifically true in a State like Hawaii, where the accident rate is high, attention among drivers is low, and medical service is not comparable to the rest of the country.
Actually Uber was speechless when approached by eTurboNews a while ago. (read here)
Here is the alternative. Take a Charley’s. Charley’s Taxi is the only taxi company in Hawaii where drivers have accident after accident and on purpose. It’s safety training on Charleys driving simulator. Out of this reason, Charley’s drivers are now the among the safest drivers money can buy. (read here and you will be surprised)
With flat rates, Kamaaina discounts and set tour rates, Charley’s is often cheaper compared to Uber’s surge rates. In addition, Charley’s vehicles are spacious, new, they have good insurance, are reliable and drivers are professionals. Not only do Charley’s drivers where to go, but they also know what roads to avoid. Charley’s drivers make excellent tour guides and know every corner, every restaurant and a lot of secrets they may share with visitors to Oahu. They also are good photographers, and they know where the best beer can be round, according to an eTN reader visiting the Aloha State from Germany.
Charley’s Taxi CEO and the owner is no other than Dale Evans. Dale is a true outspoken person who loves and lives her business. She told eTN: ” Charley’s Taxi has provided transportation services to Hawaii since 1938. As a 3rd generation, woman-owned business, we are proud to be Hawaii’s premier transportation provider.”
Dale explained: “Safety is our trademark. From requiring commercial insurance for our vehicles at any time (different from Uber), we have a ‘one strike and you’re out’ to drivers that violate serious safety regulations. Our drivers wear a uniform and are professionals. All drivers are checked for INS legal immigration and work authorizations. And a new flat rate system, a wide option of flat rate sightseeing tours for tourists, will take the stress away on what it will cost to get into a shiny Charley’s Taxi in Honolulu.
More information on https://charleystaxi.com or talk to the call center at 808-233-333 in many languages.
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