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Designated drivers across the United States now have a data-backed guide to the best and worst cities for their next big night out. As the 2025 NFL season kicks off and the NBA playoffs heat up, the person behind the wheel who stays sober deserves a fair deal. New research from Select Car Leasing—a UK-based automotive data firm—has applied its proven methodology to 30 major U.S. cities, ranking them on how friendly they are to the designated driver.
The study, updated for March 12, 2025, reveals that Austin, Texas, is the best place in the country to be the designated driver, while New York City lands at the bottom of the list. The analysis weighs five key factors: average hourly parking price, number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations per capita, average cost of a 330ml soft drink, number of sports pubs per 100,000 residents, and the average time lost to traffic congestion.
Here’s a breakdown of the findings and what they mean for designated drivers nationwide.
The goal is to identify which U.S. metropolitan areas give the most value and convenience to the sober driver—the person who sacrifices alcohol to safely transport friends to and from sports events, bars, and parties. The 30 cities were selected based on population size, and each was scored out of 100 across five equally weighted criteria:
The Texas capital excels in nearly every category. With an average parking cost of just $1.50 per hour, Austin ranks among the cheapest for parking in the study. It also boasts a strong network of EV chargers—over 250 per 100,000 people—thanks to the city’s commitment to sustainable transportation. A soft drink at a sports bar runs about $1.60, well below the national average of $2.30.
“Austin is a designated driver’s dream,” said a spokesperson for Select Car Leasing. “You can park cheaply, charge your EV while you watch the game, grab a soda for less than two bucks, and find a sports pub on nearly every corner. Traffic is manageable too, with commuters losing only about 20 hours per year to congestion.”
The city’s sports pub density is second only to Las Vegas, with over 15 venues per 100,000 residents showing everything from Longhorns football to the NBA’s Spurs.
Portland scores high on EV infrastructure and low parking costs, while Denver benefits from a moderate soft drink price and excellent sports pub density. Nashville’s lively music scene means plenty of venues showing live sports, and Phoenix offers cheap parking and light traffic.
The Big Apple ranks dead last with a score of just 28/100. Parking in Manhattan averages $8 per hour, making it the most expensive city in the study. EV chargers are scarce relative to the population—only 80 per 100,000—and a soft drink will set you back $3.50 on average. Traffic congestion is brutal: drivers lose an average of 72 hours per year, according to INRIX data. “New York is a fantastic city for pedestrians and public transit users, but for designated drivers it’s a nightmare,” the study notes.
Other low performers include San Francisco (35/100), Los Angeles (38/100), and Boston (40/100), all plagued by high parking costs and heavy traffic.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 31% of all traffic deaths in 2023. Designated drivers save lives, but the experience can be discouraging if costs and inconveniences pile up. “Cities that make it easier and cheaper for sober drivers to participate in social events can reduce drunk driving incidents,” said Dr. Linda Chen, a traffic safety researcher at the University of Michigan. “Low parking fees, affordable soft drinks, and accessible EV chargers are small but meaningful incentives.”
The study also aligns with a growing trend: more Americans are choosing to be designated drivers as ride-sharing prices rise. A 202
