Hate your commute? Try living in these states

Tired of spending all that money to keep your car running, gassed up and insured?

Though these complaints are commonplace among drivers across the country, a new study has found that those living in states with fewer rural communities are likely to shell out more cash on auto-related costs.

The research, released Monday by Bankrate, also considered factors including commute times, the number vehicle of thefts and fatal crashes, to determine which states are the best and worst for drivers.

With only a few exceptions, the financial website concluded life is easier—and less expensive—in states that aren't home to major cities.

"Population density has a big effect on these rankings," explained Chris Kahn, Bankrate's research and statistics analyst. "The best states for drivers have lots of wide-open spaces, whereas the worst states tend to be filled with people and cars—a bad combination for drivers' wallets."

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The top five states in the study are:

1. Idaho: Commutes average less than 20 minutes; insurance, gas and repair costs are low and car thefts run at about half the national average;

2. Vermont: The state has the fewest amount of car thefts, quick commutes and a below-average number of fatal crashes;