Commute times vary widely across the United States. Some states have short and easy daily travel, while others have long congestion periods that raise stress, fuel costs and yearly driving expenses. Knowing your state’s average helps you estimate real transportation time and fuel usage.
What affects commute length
Commute time depends on:
- Population density
- Traffic congestion
- Road network quality
- Public transportation options
- Urban vs rural location
- Weather conditions
Long commutes increase fuel use, car wear, and overall cost of ownership.
Average commute time by state
Source: United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates (rounded).
Data is from the most recent ACS transportation tables.
| State | Average one way commute |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 24 minutes |
| Alaska | 22 minutes |
| Arizona | 25 minutes |
| Arkansas | 21 minutes |
| California | 31 minutes |
| Colorado | 27 minutes |
| Connecticut | 28 minutes |
| Delaware | 26 minutes |
| Florida | 28 minutes |
| Georgia | 28 minutes |
| Hawaii | 28 minutes |
| Idaho | 21 minutes |
| Illinois | 29 minutes |
| Indiana | 24 minutes |
| Iowa | 20 minutes |
| Kansas | 19 minutes |
| Kentucky | 23 minutes |
| Louisiana | 26 minutes |
| Maine | 24 minutes |
| Maryland | 33 minutes |
| Massachusetts | 31 minutes |
| Michigan | 25 minutes |
| Minnesota | 23 minutes |
| Mississippi | 23 minutes |
| Missouri | 24 minutes |
| Montana | 18 minutes |
| Nebraska | 19 minutes |
| Nevada | 25 minutes |
| New Hampshire | 27 minutes |
| New Jersey | 31 minutes |
| New Mexico | 22 minutes |
| New York | 33 minutes |
| North Carolina | 25 minutes |
| North Dakota | 17 minutes |
| Ohio | 24 minutes |
| Oklahoma | 22 minutes |
| Oregon | 26 minutes |
| Pennsylvania | 27 minutes |
| Rhode Island | 26 minutes |
| South Carolina | 25 minutes |
| South Dakota | 18 minutes |
| Tennessee | 26 minutes |
| Texas | 27 minutes |
| Utah | 23 minutes |
| Vermont | 22 minutes |
| Virginia | 29 minutes |
| Washington | 28 minutes |
| West Virginia | 25 minutes |
| Wisconsin | 22 minutes |
| Wyoming | 17 minutes |
States with the longest commutes
The longest average commute times appear in:
- Maryland
- New York
- New Jersey
- California
- Massachusetts
States with the shortest commutes
Shortest times appear in rural and low population states:
- North Dakota
- Wyoming
- Montana
- South Dakota
- Nebraska
Why commute time matters for fuel spending
Longer commutes increase:
- Monthly gas spending
- Engine wear
- Tire wear
- Maintenance frequency
- Overall cost per mile
A 10 minute longer one way commute adds roughly 80 additional hours of driving per year.
Sources
- United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates:
https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs - U.S. Department of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics:
https://www.bts.gov - Federal Highway Administration, Highway Statistics Series:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics.cfm
