US States With Longest Work Commutes: How to Use Your Commute Effectively

As urban populations swell, the daily trek to and from work can extend into hours, leaving commuters stressed and not in the best state of mind to be productive once they arrive at work. 

“This seemingly wasted time can be turned into valuable time for personal and professional growth,” says Matthew Woodward, a business expert with SEO Agency Search Logistics.

Given the impact of commute times on workers' productivity and well-being, Matthew and his team conducted a comprehensive study examining commute times across the United States. 

Their findings reveal some surprising variations between states and offer insights into the factors influencing these differences.

Which States Are Commuting Longest?

The study analyzed data from the US Census to determine the longest and shortest average commute times by state. It examined average commute times, percentage of commuters using public transport, and population data for all 50 states. 

Table 1: Top 10 States With Longest Commute Times 

Why Do These States Have Such Long Commutes?
 

New York tops the list with an average commute time of 32.8 minutes. Commuters in New York rely on public transport more than in any other state, and given the state's high population, public transport is likely overcrowded at peak times, leading to delays.

New Jersey came in second with an average commute time of 31.4 minutes. States like New Jersey have high population densities, especially in urban areas, leading to increased traffic congestion at peak times.

Maryland was third with 31.4, the same average time as New Jersey, but only 6.7% of commuters here used public transport compared to New Jersey’s 11.8%. “Longer commute times here could be the fault of aging or insufficient transportation infrastructure,” says Matthew. “In cities with poorly designed road systems, bottlenecks and delays are common.”

As cities grow, they spread into wide suburbs, increasing commute times into the center, where most businesses are based. The demand for housing in the center of large cities like New York and LA drives prices up, meaning most people can’t afford to live in the center close to their work and have to commute instead. 

Conversely, in more mountainous states like Virginia, the terrain can lead to winding roads that have to take long, inefficient routes around natural obstacles.

Table 2: 10 States With Shortest Commute Times                                               

Why Do These States Have Shorter Commute Times?

These states generally have a less dense population, meaning fewer people are traveling during commute time, decreasing the chance of congestion and overcrowding. This is reflected in the 18.4-minute average commute time of the first state on this table, South Dakota.

These states generally also have more rural communities, making people more likely to live closer to their jobs. States like North Dakota, with an average commute of 18.5, and Nebraska, with an average commute of 19.1, are definitely examples of this.

There is also much less urbanization in states like Wyoming and Alaska, meaning housing in the center of towns is more affordable, reducing the distance between work and home. 

How to Use Your Commute Productively

With so much time spent commuting, finding a way to make better use of that time will improve your job performance and make commuting less boring. 

Here are some top tips and advice on how commuters can make the most of their travel time and arrive at work already in a productive mindset:

1. Listen to Educational Podcasts

Listening to educational podcasts will keep you up to date with new ideas and developments in your field or help expand your personal interests outside of work. Podcast apps allow you to download episodes in advance, so you won’t have to worry about having an internet connection.

“Educational podcasts make your commuting time learning time,” says Matthew. “Podcasts are an easy way to stay productive for the huge majority of us who drive to work. I recommend apps like Pocket Casts or Spotify, which offer curated lists, making it easy to discover new shows. They also have several offline listening options.”

2. Practice Mindfulness

The stress of being on time and dealing with commuting crowds pressing in around you is a toxic recipe for anxiety, but mindfulness helps you remain calm and focused amidst the chaos. Apps such as Headspace or Calm provide guided meditation sessions tailored for short breaks like your commute. 

“This practice enhances your mental clarity and will keep you centered throughout the day,” says Matthew.

3. Organize Daily Tasks

Organizing your daily tasks during your commute is a smart way to stay on top of your game. Instead of wasting time at your desk coming up with your to-do list, you can take care of that on your commute and be ready to hit the ground running as soon as you’re at your desk. 

Apps like Todoist or Trello offer cross-platform access, meaning the updates you make on your phone will be synced and ready to go when you open the program on your computer.

4. Read Or Write

Whether you’re diving into books or articles, time spent reading broadens your knowledge base and fuels your intellectual curiosity. Jotting down ideas or journal entries stimulates your creativity and encourages problem-solving. 

“Use e-book apps like Kindle or iBooks for reading and note-taking apps like Evernote or OneNote for writing to make the most of your commute,” says Matthew. “Make sure to download materials beforehand so you don’t have to worry about your internet connection.”

In Conclusion

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. 

“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,” says Matthew. “If you use your commute to further your personal learning or relax with mindfulness activities, you can create a clear boundary between your work and home life, resulting in a healthier work-life balance.”

However you choose to spend your commute time, one thing is certain: don’t just sit there staring out the window!