For workers in some locales, commute times can be lengthy, adding extra stress and time to the work day, while potentially affecting productivity in the workplace.
A study from ScoutLogic revealed the states with the longest and shortest commutes by analyzing data from the U.S. Census, examining average commute times, percentage of commuters using public transportation, and population data for all 50 states.
Workers in New York have the longest commutes at an average of 32.8 minutes, and these commuters utilize public transportation more than commuters in other states, at 25.4%.
Other states with long commuting times include New Jersey and Maryland. New Jersey has an average commute time of 31.4 minutes, with 11.4% of commuters relying on public transportation. Maryland also has an average commute time of 31.4 minutes, but only 6.7% of commuters rely on public transportation.
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South Dakota has the shortest commute times at 18.4 minutes, with only 1.8% of commuters utilizing public transportation.
Other states with short commute times include North Dakota and Nebraska. Commuting in North Dakota takes an average of 18.5 minutes, with 1.5% using public transportation. In Nebraska, the average commute is 19.1 minutes and 1.5% of commuters use public transit.
"When you view your commuting time as an opportunity rather than a burden, you can transform this otherwise lost time into personal and professional development," David Garcia, co-founder and CEO of ScoutLogic, a bulk background check service in the United States, said in a release. "By effectively utilizing your commute time, you'll likely arrive at work feeling more prepared and focused. Arriving with this mental attitude already in place sets you up to succeed, leading to better performance and greater job satisfaction."
Read more about the states with the longest and shortest commutes.
States with the shortest commutes
| Rank | State | Average
commute time
(minutes) | % of commuters
who use public
transport | Population |
| 10 | Wisconsin | 22.50 | 2.20% | 584,057 |
| 9 | Idaho | 21.90 | 1.70% | 12,549,689 |
| 8 | Montana | 20.20 | 1.90% | 1,978,379 |
| 7 | Iowa | 20.00 | 2.00% | 2,940,547 |
| 6 | Kansas | 20.00 | 1.50% | 4,526,154 |
| 5 | Alaska | 19.80 | 6.20% | 7,431,344 |
| 4 | Wyoming | 19.50 | 2.20% | 3,205,691 |
| 3 | Nebraska | 19.10 | 1.70% | 3,194,176 |
| 2 | North Dakota | 18.50 | 1.70% | 11,785,935 |
| 1 | South Dakota | 18.40 | 1.80% | 7,126,489 |
States with the longest commutes
| Rank | State | Average
commute time
(minutes) | % of commuters
who use public
transport | Population |
| 10 | Virginia | 27.50 | 4.00% | 7,812,880 |
| 9 | West Virginia | 27.70 | 1.90% | 5,910,955 |
| 8 | Illinois | 28.10 | 8.00% | 6,862,199 |
| 7 | Florida | 28.50 | 3.40% | 11,029,227 |
| 6 | Georgia | 28.70 | 2.90% | 1,435,138 |
5
| California
| 29.20
| 4.80%
| 5,877,610
|
| 4 | Massachusetts | 29.90 | 9.10% | 10,037,261 |
| 3 | Maryland | 31.40 | 6.70% | 7,001,399 |
| 2 | New Jersey | 31.40 | 11.80% | 2,114,371 |
| 1 | New York | 32.80 | 25.40% | 10,835,491 |
