Counties with the worst commutes in Maine
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—among 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.
Stacker compiled a list of counties with the worst commutes in Maine, using 2021 data from the Census Bureau. 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.
#16. Aroostook County
- Average commute to work: 18.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 2.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.8%
--- Carpooled: 10.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 5.2%
#15. Knox County
- Average commute to work: 19.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 11.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 4.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 10.9%
#14. Washington County
- Average commute to work: 21.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 6.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.3%
--- Carpooled: 11.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 7.5%
#13. Penobscot County
- Average commute to work: 22.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 8.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.8%
--- Carpooled: 8.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 3.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 8.4%
#12. Cumberland County
- Average commute to work: 23.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 9.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.1%
--- Carpooled: 7.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 5.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 14%
#11. Kennebec County
- Average commute to work: 24.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 19.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.3%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 9.5%
#10. Sagadahoc County
- Average commute to work: 24.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.8%
--- Carpooled: 6.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 3.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 9.8%
#9. Androscoggin County
- Average commute to work: 24.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74%
--- Carpooled: 11.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 3.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 9.9%
#8. Hancock County
- Average commute to work: 24.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 13%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72.6%
--- Carpooled: 11.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 4.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 9.5%
#7. Lincoln County
- Average commute to work: 24.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 33.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.3%
--- Carpooled: 9.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 9.5%
#6. Franklin County
- Average commute to work: 25.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 25.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.9%
--- Carpooled: 10.4%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 4.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.7%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%
#5. Piscataquis County
- Average commute to work: 26.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 15.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 26%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.6%
--- Carpooled: 12.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.4%
#4. Waldo County
- Average commute to work: 26.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.2%
--- Carpooled: 8.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 3.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 11.5%
#3. York County
- Average commute to work: 27.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 21.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.4%
--- Carpooled: 8.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 10.7%
#2. Somerset County
- Average commute to work: 28 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 36.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77%
--- Carpooled: 11.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 8.8%
#1. Oxford County
- Average commute to work: 28.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 31.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.7%
--- Carpooled: 8.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 8.1%
