Counties with the worst commutes in Massachusetts
Written by:
July 27, 2022
Jameslwoodward // Wikimedia Commons
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—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 data.
Stacker compiled a list of counties with the worst commutes in Massachusetts using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by longest average commute time in 2020. Think you have a long trip to work? Read on to compare it against the worst commutes statewide.
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thisisbossi // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Nantucket
- Average Commute Time: 13.5 minutes
--- 16.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 1.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 2.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 2.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.4%), carpooled (6.2%), walked to work (14.1%), public transportation (1.2%), worked from home (6.8%)
--- 16.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 1.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 2.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 2.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.4%), carpooled (6.2%), walked to work (14.1%), public transportation (1.2%), worked from home (6.8%)
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Jwgetchell // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Dukes County
- Average Commute Time: 14.5 minutes
--- 15.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 2.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 3.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 2.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (67.7%), carpooled (7.7%), walked to work (3.3%), public transportation (1.2%), worked from home (17.7%)
--- 15.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 2.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 3.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 2.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (67.7%), carpooled (7.7%), walked to work (3.3%), public transportation (1.2%), worked from home (17.7%)
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Protophobic // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Berkshire County
- Average Commute Time: 20.4 minutes
--- 9.6 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 3.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.9%), carpooled (7.9%), walked to work (6.2%), public transportation (1.1%), worked from home (7.0%)
--- 9.6 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 3.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.9%), carpooled (7.9%), walked to work (6.2%), public transportation (1.1%), worked from home (7.0%)
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#11. Hampden County
- Average Commute Time: 22.9 minutes
--- 7.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 9.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.3%), carpooled (7.5%), walked to work (2.4%), public transportation (1.9%), worked from home (5.5%)
--- 7.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 9.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.3%), carpooled (7.5%), walked to work (2.4%), public transportation (1.9%), worked from home (5.5%)
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John Phelan // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Hampshire County
- Average Commute Time: 23.8 minutes
--- 6.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.1%), carpooled (6.7%), walked to work (8.7%), public transportation (3.1%), worked from home (9.5%)
--- 6.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.1%), carpooled (6.7%), walked to work (8.7%), public transportation (3.1%), worked from home (9.5%)
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AlexiusHoratius // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Franklin County
- Average Commute Time: 24.5 minutes
--- 5.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 32.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.6%), carpooled (9.5%), walked to work (4.2%), public transportation (1.4%), worked from home (9.5%)
--- 5.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 32.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.6%), carpooled (9.5%), walked to work (4.2%), public transportation (1.4%), worked from home (9.5%)
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#8. Barnstable County
- Average Commute Time: 25.2 minutes
--- 4.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 13.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.9%), carpooled (7.6%), walked to work (2.3%), public transportation (1.3%), worked from home (9.4%)
--- 4.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 13.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.9%), carpooled (7.6%), walked to work (2.3%), public transportation (1.3%), worked from home (9.4%)
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Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Bristol County
- Average Commute Time: 28.6 minutes
--- 1.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 29.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.0%), carpooled (8.6%), walked to work (2.6%), public transportation (2.5%), worked from home (5.4%)
--- 1.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 29.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.0%), carpooled (8.6%), walked to work (2.6%), public transportation (2.5%), worked from home (5.4%)
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Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Worcester County
- Average Commute Time: 29.8 minutes
--- 0.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 25.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.6%), carpooled (7.8%), walked to work (2.9%), public transportation (1.9%), worked from home (8.0%)
--- 0.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 25.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.6%), carpooled (7.8%), walked to work (2.9%), public transportation (1.9%), worked from home (8.0%)
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Bobak // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Essex County
- Average Commute Time: 30.2 minutes
--- 0.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.7%), carpooled (8.4%), walked to work (3.1%), public transportation (5.2%), worked from home (7.6%)
--- 0.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.7%), carpooled (8.4%), walked to work (3.1%), public transportation (5.2%), worked from home (7.6%)
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#4. Suffolk County
- Average Commute Time: 31.1 minutes
--- 1.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 27.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (39.6%), carpooled (6.5%), walked to work (13.2%), public transportation (30.0%), worked from home (6.9%)
--- 1.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 27.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (39.6%), carpooled (6.5%), walked to work (13.2%), public transportation (30.0%), worked from home (6.9%)
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Jellymuffin40 // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Middlesex County
- Average Commute Time: 31.1 minutes
--- 1.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 28.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (64.1%), carpooled (6.7%), walked to work (4.9%), public transportation (11.4%), worked from home (10.2%)
--- 1.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 28.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (64.1%), carpooled (6.7%), walked to work (4.9%), public transportation (11.4%), worked from home (10.2%)
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Schlitzer90 // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Plymouth County
- Average Commute Time: 33.2 minutes
--- 3.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 41.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.3%), carpooled (7.3%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (5.2%), worked from home (7.3%)
--- 3.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 41.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.3%), carpooled (7.3%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (5.2%), worked from home (7.3%)
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Jameslwoodward // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Norfolk County
- Average Commute Time: 34.6 minutes
--- 4.6 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 50.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (65.0%), carpooled (6.3%), walked to work (3.6%), public transportation (13.5%), worked from home (9.9%)
--- 4.6 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 50.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (65.0%), carpooled (6.3%), walked to work (3.6%), public transportation (13.5%), worked from home (9.9%)
