The share of Americans working from home skyrocketed during the pandemic. A recent Gallup study found that 45% of full-time workers in the United States – and two-thirds of white-collar workers – were doing their job remotely at least some of the time.
The shift is proving to be a positive development for millions of Americans. Gallup reports that over 90% of remote workers hope that the trend continues after the pandemic, citing the lack of commute time as the chief benefit. (Here is a look at the state where the most people are working from home.)
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average commute time in the United States is 26.9 minutes. For those who travel to and from work every Monday through Friday, this translates to about 4.5 hours per week, or nearly 10 days a year.
Of course, commute times vary from person to person, but in some parts of the country, workers are far more likely to have longer commutes than in others. Using census data, 24/7 Wall St. identified the ZIP code with the longest commute in every state.
Among the places on this list, average commute times range from about 26 minutes up to over an hour. Over the course of a week, these commute times add up, from over four hours to 11 – and from over nine days to over three weeks over the course of a year. In most of the ZIP codes on this list, commuters spend six days or more commuting per year than the typical commuter across the state as a whole.
In several of the places on this list, the share of commuters using public transit exceeds the comparable statewide average. In most cases, public transportation is less direct than simply driving from door to door, adding to overall commute time. In most of these ZIP codes, however, commuters are more likely to drive to work alone than commuters statewide, suggesting that long commutes are the result of traffic congestion or greater distance to the workplace. Here is a look at the cities where people lose the most time driving each year.
Click here to see the ZIP code with the longest commute in every state
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Alabama: 36521
> Location: Chunchula
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 46.4 (Alabama: 25.2)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 92.4% (Alabama: 84.9%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 0.8% (Alabama: 8.3%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Alabama: 0.3%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 381
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Alaska: 99654
> Location: Knik-Fairview
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 35.9 (Alaska: 18.9)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 73.5% (Alaska: 68.1%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 10.9% (Alaska: 12.1%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.8% (Alaska: 1.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 42
Arizona: 85736
> Location: Three Points
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 55.4 (Arizona: 25.8)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 83.1% (Arizona: 74.5%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 6.6% (Arizona: 10.7%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Arizona: 1.6%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 254
Arkansas: 72348
> Location: Hughes
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 39.8 (Arkansas: 21.8)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 86.6% (Arkansas: 82.3%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 9.6% (Arkansas: 10.2%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.3% (Arkansas: 0.3%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 202
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California: 95391
> Location: Mountain House
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 66.3 (California: 29.8)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 64.2% (California: 72.1%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 16.3% (California: 10.0%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 6.1% (California: 4.6%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 1,192
Colorado: 80117
> Location: Kiowa
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 45.6 (Colorado: 25.8)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 80.1% (Colorado: 72.9%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 11.6% (Colorado: 8.6%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Colorado: 2.8%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 265
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Connecticut: 06880
> Location: Westport
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 42.1 (Connecticut: 26.7)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 52.2% (Connecticut: 76.3%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 4.7% (Connecticut: 7.8%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 20.1% (Connecticut: 4.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 228
Delaware: 19734
> Location: Townsend
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 35.9 (Delaware: 26.2)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 77.8% (Delaware: 78.8%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 9.5% (Delaware: 8.6%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 1.0% (Delaware: 2.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 46
Florida: 34759
> Location: Poinciana
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 48.4 (Florida: 27.9)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 78.1% (Florida: 77.7%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 15.8% (Florida: 9.2%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.9% (Florida: 1.6%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 849
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Georgia: 31075
> Location: Rentz
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 46.6 (Georgia: 28.7)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 96.5% (Georgia: 77.7%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 3.5% (Georgia: 9.3%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Georgia: 1.9%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 493
Hawaii: 96737
> Location: Hawaiian Ocean View
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 65.6 (Hawaii: 27.1)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 52.0% (Hawaii: 67.6%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 39.2% (Hawaii: 13.4%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Hawaii: 5.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 62
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Idaho: 83641
> Location: Melba
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 36.4 (Idaho: 21.2)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 77.6% (Idaho: 77.8%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 11.2% (Idaho: 9.3%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Idaho: 0.6%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 89
Illinois: 60649
> Location: Chicago
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 43.5 (Illinois: 29.0)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 46.3% (Illinois: 71.5%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 5.3% (Illinois: 7.8%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 39.4% (Illinois: 8.8%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 636
Indiana: 47868
> Location: Poland
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 42.6 (Indiana: 23.9)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 81.4% (Indiana: 81.3%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 11.8% (Indiana: 9.0%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Indiana: 0.9%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 445
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Iowa: 50166
> Location: Milo
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 35.7 (Iowa: 19.5)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 92.0% (Iowa: 80.2%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 4.1% (Iowa: 8.0%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Iowa: 0.9%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 268
Kansas: 66086
> Location: Tonganoxie
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 35.4 (Kansas: 19.6)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 75.5% (Kansas: 80.7%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 11.6% (Kansas: 8.9%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.3% (Kansas: 0.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 212
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Kentucky: 41311
> Location: Beattyville
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 44.6 (Kentucky: 23.7)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 80.9% (Kentucky: 81.2%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 9.9% (Kentucky: 9.2%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Kentucky: 0.9%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 274
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Louisiana: 71433
> Location: Glenmora
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 55.0 (Louisiana: 25.8)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 61.8% (Louisiana: 81.9%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 11.3% (Louisiana: 9.0%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Louisiana: 1.1%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 276
Maine: 04001
> Location: Acton
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 39.9 (Maine: 24.3)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 86.3% (Maine: 77.2%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 9.2% (Maine: 9.2%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 1.6% (Maine: 0.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 142
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Maryland: 20616
> Location: Bryans Road
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 52.9 (Maryland: 33.0)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 81.7% (Maryland: 72.1%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 7.4% (Maryland: 8.6%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 6.4% (Maryland: 7.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 287
Massachusetts: 02025
> Location: Cohasset
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 43.2 (Massachusetts: 30.0)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 58.2% (Massachusetts: 68.0%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 1.1% (Massachusetts: 7.3%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 22.9% (Massachusetts: 9.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 412
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Michigan: 48412
> Location: Attica
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 42.4 (Michigan: 24.6)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 83.7% (Michigan: 80.7%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 10.5% (Michigan: 8.6%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.3% (Michigan: 1.3%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 625
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Minnesota: 55398
> Location: Zimmerman
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 38.6 (Minnesota: 23.8)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 77.7% (Minnesota: 76.0%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 10.7% (Minnesota: 8.1%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.8% (Minnesota: 3.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 392
Mississippi: 39483
> Location: Foxworth
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 47.8 (Mississippi: 25.2)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 80.8% (Mississippi: 84.6%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 11.9% (Mississippi: 9.2%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Mississippi: 0.3%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 209
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Missouri: 63023
> Location: Dittmer
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 44.8 (Missouri: 23.9)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 85.7% (Missouri: 80.8%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 9.6% (Missouri: 8.4%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Missouri: 1.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 397
Montana: 59870
> Location: Stevensville
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 31.4 (Montana: 18.4)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 68.7% (Montana: 75.2%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 13.9% (Montana: 9.2%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.1% (Montana: 0.7%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 66
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Nebraska: 68372
> Location: Hickman
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 29.9 (Nebraska: 18.9)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 85.5% (Nebraska: 80.7%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.4% (Nebraska: 9.0%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Nebraska: 0.6%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 134
24/7 Wall St.
Nevada: 89815
> Location: Spring Creek
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 42.9 (Nevada: 24.6)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 62.4% (Nevada: 76.8%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 16.2% (Nevada: 10.6%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 15.5% (Nevada: 2.9%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 102
New Hampshire: 03225
> Location: Center Barnstead
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 41.9 (New Hampshire: 27.4)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 80.3% (New Hampshire: 79.5%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 7.9% (New Hampshire: 7.7%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.5% (New Hampshire: 0.8%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 145
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New Jersey: 07421
> Location: Hewitt
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 51.1 (New Jersey: 32.0)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 71.1% (New Jersey: 69.6%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 7.7% (New Jersey: 7.8%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 4.8% (New Jersey: 10.8%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 498
New Mexico: 87323
> Location: Thoreau
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 40.1 (New Mexico: 22.7)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 67.1% (New Mexico: 79.1%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 12.8% (New Mexico: 10.0%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.3% (New Mexico: 1.0%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 93
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New York: 11692
> Location: New York
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 55.8 (New York: 33.5)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 40.5% (New York: 52.3%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 6.5% (New York: 6.4%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 45.7% (New York: 26.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 963
North Carolina: 28679
> Location: Cove Creek
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 43.7 (North Carolina: 24.9)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 85.2% (North Carolina: 79.3%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 6.2% (North Carolina: 9.0%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (North Carolina: 1.0%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 549
North Dakota: 58047
> Location: Horace
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 25.8 (North Dakota: 17.6)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 85.1% (North Dakota: 80.8%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 6.2% (North Dakota: 8.9%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (North Dakota: 0.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 38
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Ohio: 43135
> Location: Laurelville
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 44.7 (Ohio: 23.7)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 75.1% (Ohio: 81.5%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 16.4% (Ohio: 7.6%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.6% (Ohio: 1.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 740
Oklahoma: 74881
> Location: Wellston
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 40.5 (Oklahoma: 22.0)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 79.2% (Oklahoma: 81.6%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.4% (Oklahoma: 9.7%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Oklahoma: 0.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 261
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Oregon: 97064
> Location: Vernonia
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 41.0 (Oregon: 23.9)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 79.4% (Oregon: 70.5%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 12.5% (Oregon: 9.4%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.8% (Oregon: 4.0%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 200
Pennsylvania: 18324
> Location: Saw Creek
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 64.4 (Pennsylvania: 27.1)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 76.7% (Pennsylvania: 74.4%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 10.0% (Pennsylvania: 8.2%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 5.5% (Pennsylvania: 5.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 883
Rhode Island: 02859
> Location: Pascoag
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 37.8 (Rhode Island: 25.3)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 86.3% (Rhode Island: 79.7%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 6.4% (Rhode Island: 8.1%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.1% (Rhode Island: 2.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 60
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South Carolina: 29107
> Location: Neeses
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 43.5 (South Carolina: 25.1)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 87.8% (South Carolina: 81.5%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.1% (South Carolina: 8.9%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (South Carolina: 0.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 277
South Dakota: 57730
> Location: Custer
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 28.5 (South Dakota: 17.3)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 74.3% (South Dakota: 80.0%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 6.5% (South Dakota: 8.1%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 1.5% (South Dakota: 0.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 59
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Tennessee: 37098
> Location: Bon Aqua Junction
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 43.5 (Tennessee: 25.4)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 82.6% (Tennessee: 81.9%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 9.7% (Tennessee: 8.8%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Tennessee: 0.6%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 401
Texas: 77328
> Location: Cleveland
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 47.5 (Texas: 26.6)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 82.5% (Texas: 78.7%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 9.6% (Texas: 9.9%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.2% (Texas: 1.3%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 1,171
Utah: 84629
> Location: Fairview
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 35.3 (Utah: 22.0)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 76.9% (Utah: 74.4%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 12.2% (Utah: 10.4%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Utah: 2.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 125
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Vermont: 05677
> Location: Waterbury
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 33.4 (Vermont: 23.3)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 77.1% (Vermont: 74.4%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.3% (Vermont: 8.5%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 1.1% (Vermont: 1.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 69
Virginia: 22642
> Location: Apple Mountain Lake
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 51.8 (Virginia: 28.6)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 75.6% (Virginia: 74.9%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 15.0% (Virginia: 8.9%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Virginia: 4.0%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 458
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Washington: 98266
> Location: Peaceful Valley
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 58.9 (Washington: 28.0)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 80.2% (Washington: 69.7%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 14.2% (Washington: 9.7%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (Washington: 6.0%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 335
West Virginia: 25434
> Location: Paw Paw
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 51.4 (West Virginia: 26.1)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 79.1% (West Virginia: 82.0%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 5.6% (West Virginia: 8.6%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported (West Virginia: 0.8%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 143
Wisconsin: 54874
> Location: Superior
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 36.8 (Wisconsin: 22.2)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 83.4% (Wisconsin: 79.9%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 9.2% (Wisconsin: 7.7%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.5% (Wisconsin: 1.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 456
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Wyoming: 83127
> Location: Star Valley Ranch
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 36.3 (Wyoming: 17.9)
> Share of commuters driving alone: 64.9% (Wyoming: 77.4%)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 17.8% (Wyoming: 10.0%)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 2.4% (Wyoming: 1.0%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 39
To determine the ZIP code with the longest commute in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of average commute times from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey.
We used ZIP code tabulation areas — a census geography type which defines areal representations of United States Postal Service ZIP codes (USPS ZIP codes do not define geographic boundaries but instead are a network of mail delivery routes in a service area). We refer to Census ZCTAs as ZIP codes.
ZIP codes were excluded if average commute time estimates were not available in the 2020 ACS, if there were fewer than 1,000 workers 16 years and over who did not work from home, or if the sampling error associated with a ZIP code’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a ZIP code’s average commute time was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all ZIP codes’ average commute times. We similarly excluded ZIP codes that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.
ZIP codes were ranked based on their average commute time. To break ties, we used the share of workers with a commute of 45 minutes or longer.
Additional information on the share of commuters driving alone, carpooling, and using public transit are also five-year estimates from the 2020 ACS. Because the Census Bureau didn’t release one-year estimates for 2020 due to data collection issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, all ACS data are five-year estimates.
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