Main points
- Drivers in some cities have a more difficult time in the winter. Madison, Wisconsin, fell 128 spots in its safety rankings, leading Florida, with most cities seeing the largest drops in winter rankings.
- Snowbird cities in Arizona and Florida saw the largest increases in out-of-state vacation drivers. Phoenix traffic nearly doubled, and Orlando traffic increased 75%.
- The closer it gets to the holidays, the worse the driver’s behavior becomes. Cell phone usage peaks on New Year’s Eve, speeding climbs occur on the weekend before Christmas, and emergency braking occurs at noon on Christmas Eve.
Northbrook, IL, December 10, 2025 – Winter holidays bring some of the most dangerous driving conditions of the year and new driving conditions Allstate Holiday Driver Report Shows where winter drivers have the most difficulty, when risky behavior jumps up, and how drivers can stay safe this season.
Unlike traditional travel forecasts that focus on the number of people on the road, Allstate uses claims data, travel patterns and roadside incidents to analyze actual driving risks to help drivers travel smarter during the holidays.
Allstate security expert Brian Tidwell said, “Winter driving risks can change overnight. Whether you’re staying local or traveling the long haul, the Allstate mobile app offers helpful tools for everyone, not just Allstate customers, including Drivewise, Allstate Roadside and Crash Detection.”
Which cities are most at risk for winter drivers?
Allstate claims data shows winter turns many safe driving cities into high-risk zones, rankings from Allstate America Best Drivers Report Big changes happen between November and March. *
The driver is here Madison, Wisconsin., saw their rankings plummet 9th to 137th128 points free fallmore than 14 times the original position. and Florida Five of the top ten cities claiming to be most affected in late fall and winter include Gainesville (down 97 spots) and Tallahassee (down 86).
Top 10 cities most affected in late autumn and winter (November to March)
| rank | City | changes in spots | annual ranking | Ranking from November to March | |
| 1 | Madison, Wisconsin | -128 | 9 | 137 | |
| 2 | Anchorage, Alaska | -121 | 32 | 153 | |
| 3 | Honolulu, Hawaii | -102 | 75 | 177 | |
| 4 | gainesville florida | -97 | 16 | 113 | |
| 5 | Tallahassee, Florida | -86 | 37 | 123 | |
| 6 | Hialeah, Florida | -79 | 87 | 166 | |
| 7 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | -79 | 59 | 138 | |
| 8 | Jersey City, New Jersey | -73 | 98 | 171 | |
| 9 | St. Petersburg, Florida | -73 | 25 | 98 | |
| 10 | Pembroke Pines, Florida | -72 | 52 | 124 | |
Why it’s important: These dramatic changes demonstrate that winter risks are not just about snow and ice, but also about lack of preparation, unfamiliar drivers and seasonal traffic changes.
Where do places see a surge in holiday traffic?
There’s more to holiday travel than just snow. According to insights from 2 million Drivewise customers, states with warmer climates are seeing the largest influx of out-of-state drivers. ** Allstate’s Safe Driving Program (available on the Allstate mobile app) shows out-of-state traffic increases from 30% to nearly 100% above typical levels in Arizona, Florida and Texas.
Cities with biggest surge in out-of-state drivers
| state | City | Increase in out-of-state drivers | |
| Arizona | Phoenix | +94% (the largest increase in the country) | |
| scottsdale | +30% | ||
| Florida | orlando | +75% | |
| tampa | +56% | ||
| jacksonville | +47% | ||
| Texas | san antonio | +45% | |
| el paso | +35% | ||
| fort worth | +29% | ||
| Houston | +28% | ||
Why it’s important: A surge in out-of-state drivers can lead to unfamiliar routes, greater congestion and a higher risk of crashes, so planning and caution are crucial for holiday travel. Tools in the Allstate mobile app such as Collision detection Help keep drivers safe by detecting collisions and providing immediate assistance, such as helping users call 911, request roadside assistance, or file a claim.
When does risky driving behavior peak during the holidays?
Drivewise insights from the same time frame also show exactly when risky behavior peaks during the holidays:
- call handling is the worst Lunar New Year’s eve (+10%), especially late at night.
- speeding jump the weekend before christmas (+10%), many drivers exceed the limit by +15 mph.
- brake suddenly peak Christmas Eve noon (+13%) as last-minute shoppers flood the roads.
Why it’s important: Holiday travel is not only busier, it’s also riskier. Driving wisdom The Allstate mobile app provides drivers with personalized feedback to help them course correct dangerous patterns before they lead to an accident.
What’s the most glitchy day of the holiday?
Allstate Roadside always sees one of its biggest spikes of the year during the winter holidays:
- December 26 It’s the busiest day of the year for curbside service activity.
- The longest towing distance is Christmasaverage up to 15 miles.
Why it’s important: Dropping temperatures and holiday congestion can lead to dead batteries, empty batteries, breakdowns and long waits. Allstate Roadside Deliver fast, flexible assistance through the Allstate mobile app, accessible to everyone, even non-customers.
Tidwell said: “Cold weather can turn small problems into big ones. Check your battery, check your tires, top up fluids, keep your gas tank at least half full, and bring an emergency kit—making a few preparations now can help you avoid big trouble later. “
How do Allstate drivers stay safe?
From real-time collision detection to safe driving insights with Drivewise, download Allstate Mobile App Stay protected on the road all winter long. For more tips, tools and winter driving advice, visit allstate.com.
Editor’s Note
*The Allstate Best Drivers Report supplement compares the frequency of collision claims in the late fall and winter months (November 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023) in the 200 most populous U.S. cities to the full-year average (January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023). The rankings are based on Allstate property damage and collision claims data, which account for approximately 10% of all auto policies in the United States. Urban population is defined using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. “Collision” means any automobile collision resulting in a claim for property or collision damage. This supplemental analysis highlights seasonal changes in driving risks and is intended to increase awareness and discussion about safe driving, not to determine insurance rates.
**Data based on aggregated and anonymized national Drivewise driving information comparing the 2024 winter holiday period (Friday, December 20, 2024 to Wednesday, January 1, 2025) to average daily driving behavior in 2024. The time between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. was excluded from the analysis because driving at night is inherently risky due to factors such as reduced visibility, fatigue and difficulty driving. Drivewise is a voluntary safe driving program that customers can choose to participate in, helping drivers get personalized car insurance rates based on their daily driving. Customers can save money by simply signing up and staying active while avoiding dangerous behaviors such as speeding, sudden braking, using mobile phones or driving late at night, which can result in more money being paid.
About Allstate
Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL ) protects people from life’s uncertainties with a broad range of protection for their cars, homes, electronic devices and identities. Products are available through an extensive distribution network, including Allstate dealers, independent dealers, major retailers, online and in the workplace. Allstate has more than 209 active policies and is widely known for its slogan, “Allstate has you covered.” For more information, please visit www.allstate.com.
Post views: 5
