Counties with the worst commutes in Massachusetts
Commuting easily ranks as one of the least enjoyable parts of a person's day. Commuters encounter more physical health problems, and low-income commuters are less likely to gain financial stability鈥攁mong a host of other negative impacts. And yet, America's commutes keep getting longer as people move farther away from the office, according to Census Bureau data.
compiled a list of counties with the worst commutes in Massachusetts, using 2021 data from the . Counties are ranked by longest average commute time in 2021 among workers over the age of 16, excluding those who work from home. Think you have a long trip to work? Read on to compare it against the worst commutes statewide.
#14. Nantucket County
- Average commute to work: 13.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 1.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 2.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.7%
--- Carpooled: 7%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 8.7%
--- Bicycle: 2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 7%
#13. Dukes County
- Average commute to work: 15.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 2.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 1.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 66.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.5%
--- Public transportation: 1.5%
--- Walked: 3.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 19.6%
#12. Berkshire County
- Average commute to work: 20.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 3.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.6%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 1.3%
--- Walked: 5.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 8.4%
#11. Hampden County
- Average commute to work: 23 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 9.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.9%
--- Carpooled: 7.2%
--- Public transportation: 2%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 7.4%
#10. Hampshire County
- Average commute to work: 23.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 29.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 68.5%
--- Carpooled: 5.8%
--- Public transportation: 2.8%
--- Walked: 8.4%
--- Bicycle: 1.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 12.6%
#9. Franklin County
- Average commute to work: 24 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 31%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.2%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 1.2%
--- Walked: 3.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 12%
#8. Barnstable County
- Average commute to work: 25 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 12.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.9%
--- Carpooled: 7.6%
--- Public transportation: 1.1%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 11.5%
#7. Bristol County
- Average commute to work: 28.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.3%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 2.2%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 7.3%
#5. Essex County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 29.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72%
--- Carpooled: 8%
--- Public transportation: 4.5%
--- Walked: 3.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2%
--- Worked from home: 10.3%
#5. Worcester County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 29.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 24%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.5%
--- Carpooled: 7.7%
--- Public transportation: 1.7%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.8%
--- Worked from home: 10.5%
#4. Middlesex County
- Average commute to work: 30.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 26.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 60.8%
--- Carpooled: 6.4%
--- Public transportation: 9.8%
--- Walked: 4.7%
--- Bicycle: 1.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 15.6%
#3. Suffolk County
- Average commute to work: 31.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 26.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 38.6%
--- Carpooled: 6.2%
--- Public transportation: 27.2%
--- Walked: 12.8%
--- Bicycle: 1.8%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.8%
--- Worked from home: 11.5%
#2. Plymouth County
- Average commute to work: 33 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 18.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.9%
--- Carpooled: 7.1%
--- Public transportation: 4.5%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 10.4%
#1. Norfolk County
- Average commute to work: 33.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 16.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 62.7%
--- Carpooled: 5.7%
--- Public transportation: 11.8%
--- Walked: 3.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 14.4%
