Counties with the worst commutes in Michigan

Written by:
July 27, 2022
Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

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 data.

Stacker compiled a list of counties with the worst commutes in Michigan 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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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Saginaw County

- Average Commute Time: 21.9 minutes
--- 2.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 20.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.2%), carpooled (9.9%), walked to work (1.8%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (4.5%)
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SBarnes // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Eaton County

- Average Commute Time: 22.7 minutes
--- 1.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 51.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.8%), carpooled (9.2%), walked to work (1.4%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (7.0%)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#48. Crawford County

- Average Commute Time: 22.7 minutes
--- 1.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 37.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.5%), carpooled (8.4%), walked to work (3.4%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (3.6%)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Bay County

- Average Commute Time: 22.8 minutes
--- 1.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 40.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.7%), carpooled (6.6%), walked to work (1.7%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (5.0%)
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Phoenix-Five // Wikimedia Commons

#46. Keweenaw County

- Average Commute Time: 22.8 minutes
--- 1.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 60.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.3%), carpooled (6.7%), walked to work (4.3%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (8.8%)

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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Oceana County

- Average Commute Time: 22.9 minutes
--- 1.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 39.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.5%), carpooled (13.2%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (4.4%)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#44. Missaukee County

- Average Commute Time: 22.9 minutes
--- 1.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 53.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.7%), carpooled (12.1%), walked to work (3.1%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (4.0%)
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Alexey Stiop // Shutterstock

#43. Leelanau County

- Average Commute Time: 23.1 minutes
--- 1.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 11.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 42.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.0%), carpooled (8.8%), walked to work (2.2%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (10.3%)
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Doug Coldwell // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Mecosta County

- Average Commute Time: 23.1 minutes
--- 1.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 16.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 28.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.1%), carpooled (9.4%), walked to work (4.7%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (5.4%)
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Phillip L. Hofmeister // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Jackson County

- Average Commute Time: 23.2 minutes
--- 1.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 25.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.0%), carpooled (8.1%), walked to work (1.9%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (4.7%)

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Henry Schenck Tanner // Wikimedia Commons

#40. Montmorency County

- Average Commute Time: 23.4 minutes
--- 1.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 36.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.3%), carpooled (10.0%), walked to work (3.6%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (5.6%)
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O. David Redwine // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Midland County

- Average Commute Time: 23.6 minutes
--- 1.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.8%), carpooled (8.0%), walked to work (1.0%), public transportation (0.8%), worked from home (5.6%)
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Unknown author // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Gratiot County

- Average Commute Time: 23.6 minutes
--- 1.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 36.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.1%), carpooled (9.2%), walked to work (3.2%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (5.1%)
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Lawrence G. Miller // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Van Buren County

- Average Commute Time: 23.8 minutes
--- 0.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 44.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.1%), carpooled (12.3%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (5.8%)
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Adam Buzzo // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Allegan County

- Average Commute Time: 23.9 minutes
--- 0.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 51.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.8%), carpooled (7.4%), walked to work (1.8%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (5.7%)

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Agnieszka Gaul // Shutterstock

#35. Washtenaw County

- Average Commute Time: 24 minutes
--- 0.6 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 20.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (69.6%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (7.4%), public transportation (4.7%), worked from home (9.1%)
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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Clinton County

- Average Commute Time: 24.2 minutes
--- 0.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 64.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.4%), carpooled (6.0%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (0.8%), worked from home (7.5%)
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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Hillsdale County

- Average Commute Time: 24.2 minutes
--- 0.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 29.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.6%), carpooled (8.6%), walked to work (4.4%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (6.4%)
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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#32. Osceola County

- Average Commute Time: 24.8 minutes
--- 0.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 47.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.1%), carpooled (10.2%), walked to work (2.6%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (4.3%)
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Cwbash (Charles W. Bash) // Wikimedia Commons

#31. Cheboygan County

- Average Commute Time: 25.3 minutes
--- 0.7 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 11.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 35.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.0%), carpooled (10.4%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (5.7%)

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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Antrim County

- Average Commute Time: 25.3 minutes
--- 0.7 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 43.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.7%), carpooled (12.1%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (8.1%)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Cass County

- Average Commute Time: 25.4 minutes
--- 0.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 24.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 23.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.4%), carpooled (9.9%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (3.4%)
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PhotosByMahin // Pixabay

#28. Wayne County

- Average Commute Time: 25.4 minutes
--- 0.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 24.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.5%), carpooled (9.3%), walked to work (1.9%), public transportation (2.7%), worked from home (5.7%)
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US Army Corps of Engineer // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Benzie County

- Average Commute Time: 25.7 minutes
--- 1.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 11.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 52.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.1%), carpooled (6.4%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (0.9%), worked from home (6.9%)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Roscommon County

- Average Commute Time: 25.8 minutes
--- 1.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 28.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.3%), carpooled (13.6%), walked to work (3.3%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (7.6%)

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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#25. Monroe County

- Average Commute Time: 25.9 minutes
--- 1.3 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (85.8%), carpooled (6.7%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (5.1%)
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David Coats // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Presque Isle County

- Average Commute Time: 26 minutes
--- 1.4 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 35.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.3%), carpooled (8.6%), walked to work (1.8%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (5.0%)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#23. Alcona County

- Average Commute Time: 26.2 minutes
--- 1.6 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 16.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 48.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.8%), carpooled (10.8%), walked to work (2.4%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (6.5%)
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Flintmichigan // Wikicommons

#22. Genesee County

- Average Commute Time: 26.3 minutes
--- 1.7 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 26.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.3%), carpooled (9.8%), walked to work (1.1%), public transportation (1.5%), worked from home (4.5%)
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Elevatorrailfan // Wikimedia Commons

#21. Ogemaw County

- Average Commute Time: 26.4 minutes
--- 1.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 25.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.2%), carpooled (9.6%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (4.6%)

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Dwight Burdette // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Lenawee County

- Average Commute Time: 26.7 minutes
--- 2.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 29.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.9%), carpooled (7.8%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (4.2%)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Oakland County

- Average Commute Time: 26.8 minutes
--- 2.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 28.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.7%), carpooled (6.9%), walked to work (1.1%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (8.0%)
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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Ionia County

- Average Commute Time: 27 minutes
--- 2.4 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 50.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.9%), carpooled (7.8%), walked to work (2.1%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (5.0%)
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daBinsi // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Shiawassee County

- Average Commute Time: 27.4 minutes
--- 2.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 49.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.6%), carpooled (8.7%), walked to work (1.8%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (6.3%)
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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Lake County

- Average Commute Time: 27.5 minutes
--- 2.9 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 54.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.8%), carpooled (11.2%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (6.0%)

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Andrew Jameson // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Macomb County

- Average Commute Time: 27.7 minutes
--- 3.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 42.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.4%), carpooled (8.2%), walked to work (0.9%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (4.9%)
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Michigan Department of Natural Resources // Wikimedia Commons

#14. Sanilac County

- Average Commute Time: 28.2 minutes
--- 3.6 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.1%), carpooled (11.0%), walked to work (4.2%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (5.4%)
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Ryano913~commonswiki // Wikimedia Commons

#13. Barry County

- Average Commute Time: 28.4 minutes
--- 3.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 16.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 58.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.0%), carpooled (8.0%), walked to work (1.7%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (5.5%)
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RomanKahler // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Ontonagon County

- Average Commute Time: 28.7 minutes
--- 4.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 16.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 25.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.9%), carpooled (7.7%), walked to work (4.8%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (7.3%)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#11. Kalkaska County

- Average Commute Time: 28.8 minutes
--- 4.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 54.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.3%), carpooled (12.0%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (4.0%)

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rossograph // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Montcalm County

- Average Commute Time: 29.1 minutes
--- 4.5 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 46.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.5%), carpooled (9.1%), walked to work (1.8%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (4.5%)
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Charles W. Chapman // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Newaygo County

- Average Commute Time: 29.3 minutes
--- 4.7 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 45.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.4%), carpooled (12.7%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (4.6%)
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National Park Service // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Alger County

- Average Commute Time: 29.4 minutes
--- 4.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 24.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (67.3%), carpooled (11.6%), walked to work (4.4%), public transportation (1.0%), worked from home (11.9%)
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Ian Poellet (User:Werewombat) // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Arenac County

- Average Commute Time: 29.4 minutes
--- 4.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 44.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.0%), carpooled (7.2%), walked to work (2.0%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (5.5%)
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Iulus Ascanius // Wikimedia Commons

#6. Clare County

- Average Commute Time: 29.5 minutes
--- 4.9 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 44.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.2%), carpooled (11.0%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (1.0%), worked from home (7.9%)

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Ken Heuvelman // Wikimedia Commons

#5. St. Clair County

- Average Commute Time: 29.5 minutes
--- 4.9 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 37.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.5%), carpooled (10.0%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (3.5%)
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User:Malepheasant // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Gladwin County

- Average Commute Time: 29.7 minutes
--- 5.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 45.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.7%), carpooled (8.1%), walked to work (1.9%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (5.3%)
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kennethaw88 // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Tuscola County

- Average Commute Time: 30.2 minutes
--- 5.6 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 49.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.5%), carpooled (11.5%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (3.6%)
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Joshuay04 // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Livingston County

- Average Commute Time: 32.1 minutes
--- 7.5 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 52.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (85.0%), carpooled (6.6%), walked to work (0.8%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (6.7%)
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Notorious4life // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Lapeer County

- Average Commute Time: 35.9 minutes
--- 11.3 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 20.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 24.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 55.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.7%), carpooled (8.2%), walked to work (1.4%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (4.3%)

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