Counties with the worst commutes in Michigan

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July 17, 2023
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Counties with the worst commutes in Michigan

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 Michigan, 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.

#50. Muskegon County

- Average commute to work: 22.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 4.3%

#49. Keweenaw County

- Average commute to work: 22.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 57.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.6%
--- Carpooled: 5.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.3%
--- Worked from home: 13.4%

#48. Bay County

- Average commute to work: 22.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.2%
--- Carpooled: 6.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

#47. Montmorency County

- Average commute to work: 22.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 37.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.7%
--- Carpooled: 10%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 6.4%

#46. Eaton County

- Average commute to work: 22.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 48.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.8%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 9.8%

#45. Missaukee County

- Average commute to work: 22.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.4%
--- Carpooled: 11.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 4.7%

#44. Jackson County

- Average commute to work: 23 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 23.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.4%
--- Carpooled: 7.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6.4%

#43. Mecosta County

- Average commute to work: 23.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 5.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 5.5%

#42. Oceana County

- Average commute to work: 23.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.8%
--- Carpooled: 13%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 2.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 4.3%

#41. Washtenaw County

- Average commute to work: 23.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 19.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 66.1%
--- Carpooled: 6.5%
--- Public transportation: 4.2%
--- Walked: 6.9%
--- Bicycle: 1.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 14.2%

#40. Midland County

- Average commute to work: 23.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 32.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.7%
--- Carpooled: 7.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 1.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 8.4%

#39. Leelanau County

- Average commute to work: 23.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 41.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.8%
--- Carpooled: 7.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 12%

#38. Allegan County

- Average commute to work: 24 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 6.7%

#37. Van Buren County

- Average commute to work: 24.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.6%
--- Carpooled: 11.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 6.8%

#36. Clinton County

- Average commute to work: 24.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 62.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.2%
--- Carpooled: 5.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 9.9%

#34. Crawford County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 36.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.8%
--- Carpooled: 7.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 2.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 4.6%

#34. Gratiot County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 37.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.1%
--- Carpooled: 8.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 5.9%

#33. Hillsdale County

- Average commute to work: 24.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 29.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 4.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 7.2%

#32. Cheboygan County

- Average commute to work: 24.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 34.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 7.5%

#31. Cass County

- Average commute to work: 24.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 22.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.4%
--- Carpooled: 9.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 5%

#30. Benzie County

- Average commute to work: 25 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.4%
--- Carpooled: 7.5%
--- Public transportation: 1.1%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%

#29. Antrim County

- Average commute to work: 25.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.9%
--- Carpooled: 11.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.1%
--- Worked from home: 8.4%

#28. Wayne County

- Average commute to work: 25.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 23.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.2%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 2.5%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 8.6%

#27. Osceola County

- Average commute to work: 25.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 45.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.3%
--- Carpooled: 10.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.9%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 3.9%

#26. Roscommon County

- Average commute to work: 25.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 71.9%
--- Carpooled: 15.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 8.3%

#25. Presque Isle County

- Average commute to work: 26.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.1%
--- Carpooled: 8.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.6%
--- Worked from home: 6.2%

#24. Monroe County

- Average commute to work: 26.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 32.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85%
--- Carpooled: 6.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#23. Oakland County

- Average commute to work: 26.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 26.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.9%
--- Carpooled: 6.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 12.2%

#22. Genesee County

- Average commute to work: 26.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 27%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 1.3%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

#21. Alger County

- Average commute to work: 26.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 24.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.9%
--- Carpooled: 9.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 4.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.8%
--- Worked from home: 9.5%

#20. Ionia County

- Average commute to work: 26.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.7%
--- Carpooled: 7%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 5.7%

#19. Ogemaw County

- Average commute to work: 27 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 27.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.9%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 5.4%

#18. Lenawee County

- Average commute to work: 27.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 29.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.1%
--- Carpooled: 6.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#17. Macomb County

- Average commute to work: 27.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.1%
--- Carpooled: 8.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.3%

#16. Shiawassee County

- Average commute to work: 27.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 49.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.2%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 6.3%

#15. Alcona County

- Average commute to work: 27.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.9%
--- Carpooled: 11.4%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 2.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 7.4%

#14. Barry County

- Average commute to work: 28.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 57.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.3%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6.2%

#13. Arenac County

- Average commute to work: 28.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 44.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.3%
--- Carpooled: 6.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 5.9%

#12. St. Clair County

- Average commute to work: 28.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 36.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.2%
--- Carpooled: 9.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 4.7%

#11. Sanilac County

- Average commute to work: 29 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.1%
--- Carpooled: 10.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 3.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 6.4%

#10. Montcalm County

- Average commute to work: 29.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.4%
--- Carpooled: 9.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 4.7%

#5. Clare County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76%
--- Carpooled: 11.3%
--- Public transportation: 1.1%
--- Walked: 2.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 7.8%

#5. Kalkaska County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.1%
--- Carpooled: 12%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 4.4%

#5. Newaygo County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 45%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.2%
--- Carpooled: 11.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

#5. Ontonagon County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 25.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.5%
--- Carpooled: 7.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 3.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 6.9%

#5. Tuscola County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 49.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.9%
--- Carpooled: 10.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 4.3%

#4. Gladwin County

- Average commute to work: 29.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.2%
--- Carpooled: 8.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.1%
--- Worked from home: 5.4%

#3. Lake County

- Average commute to work: 30.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 55.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.5%
--- Carpooled: 12.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 6.2%

#2. Livingston County

- Average commute to work: 31.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.4%
--- Carpooled: 6.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 9.8%

#1. Lapeer County

- Average commute to work: 35.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 19.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 55.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83%
--- Carpooled: 8.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 5.6%

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