Counties with the worst commutes in Minnesota
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 Minnesota 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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#50. Renville County
--- 3.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.5%), carpooled (5.1%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (9.2%)
#49. Swift County
--- 3.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.7%), carpooled (8.2%), walked to work (4.7%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (7.2%)
#48. Stearns County
--- 2.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 18.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.6%), carpooled (7.8%), walked to work (4.6%), public transportation (1.5%), worked from home (6.3%)
#47. Pope County
--- 2.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 37.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.7%), carpooled (8.2%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (7.0%)
#46. Kittson County
--- 2.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 16.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.4%), carpooled (10.5%), walked to work (5.7%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (9.9%)
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#45. Waseca County
--- 2.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 48.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.8%), carpooled (9.7%), walked to work (2.6%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (4.6%)
#44. Lake County
--- 2.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 25.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.4%), carpooled (10.3%), walked to work (4.0%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (9.5%)
#43. Becker County
--- 2.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 16.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.5%), carpooled (7.9%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (9.9%)
#42. Watonwan County
--- 1.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.0%), carpooled (7.7%), walked to work (6.8%), public transportation (1.6%), worked from home (3.3%)
#41. Otter Tail County
--- 1.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 17.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.4%), carpooled (9.3%), walked to work (3.5%), public transportation (0.9%), worked from home (7.8%)
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#40. Crow Wing County
--- 1.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 11.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 14.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.1%), carpooled (8.8%), walked to work (2.0%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (7.5%)
#39. Wadena County
--- 1.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 35.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.2%), carpooled (9.6%), walked to work (3.6%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (9.0%)
#38. Benton County
--- 0.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 65.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.0%), carpooled (7.8%), walked to work (2.2%), public transportation (1.0%), worked from home (5.1%)
#37. McLeod County
--- 0.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 30.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (85.5%), carpooled (6.4%), walked to work (1.9%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (4.4%)
#36. Houston County
--- 0.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 9.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.0%), carpooled (7.9%), walked to work (2.6%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (7.1%)
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#35. Carlton County
--- 0.6 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 38.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.1%), carpooled (8.4%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (4.7%)
#34. Cass County
--- 0.6 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 42.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (75.7%), carpooled (10.4%), walked to work (3.6%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (8.1%)
#33. Grant County
--- 0.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 41.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.3%), carpooled (6.9%), walked to work (3.9%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (11.3%)
#32. Marshall County
--- 0.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 35.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.0%), carpooled (8.8%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (12.0%)
#31. Lincoln County
--- 0.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 30.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (67.8%), carpooled (11.5%), walked to work (4.7%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (15.2%)
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#30. Rice County
--- 0.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 32.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (72.0%), carpooled (7.5%), walked to work (2.3%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (16.6%)
#29. Norman County
--- 0.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 22.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (75.2%), carpooled (10.8%), walked to work (5.1%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (6.8%)
#28. Hennepin County
--- 0.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 3.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 17.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (69.7%), carpooled (7.2%), walked to work (3.3%), public transportation (6.4%), worked from home (10.7%)
#27. Itasca County
--- 0.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 16.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.9%), carpooled (10.3%), walked to work (2.0%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (6.1%)
#26. Red Lake County
--- 0.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 16.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 49.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.1%), carpooled (11.0%), walked to work (6.0%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (5.3%)
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#25. Meeker County
--- 0.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 46.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.3%), carpooled (9.7%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (5.5%)
#24. Ramsey County
--- 0.3 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 11.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 43.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.3%), carpooled (9.9%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (6.3%), worked from home (9.1%)
#23. Todd County
--- 0.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 46.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.3%), carpooled (9.1%), walked to work (3.6%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (8.2%)
#22. Wabasha County
--- 0.9 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 48.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.7%), carpooled (9.7%), walked to work (3.4%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (7.8%)
#21. Hubbard County
--- 0.9 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 39.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.6%), carpooled (9.9%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (9.6%)
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#20. Goodhue County
--- 1.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 35.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.6%), carpooled (7.5%), walked to work (2.6%), public transportation (1.5%), worked from home (7.1%)
#19. Dakota County
--- 1.4 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 48.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.9%), carpooled (8.2%), walked to work (1.3%), public transportation (3.1%), worked from home (8.6%)
#18. Sibley County
--- 1.5 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 24.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 52.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.6%), carpooled (5.3%), walked to work (3.2%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (8.0%)
#17. Dodge County
--- 1.6 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 58.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.7%), carpooled (10.5%), walked to work (2.1%), public transportation (1.4%), worked from home (7.6%)
#16. Clearwater County
--- 1.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 11.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 36.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.0%), carpooled (9.3%), walked to work (4.9%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (6.8%)
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#15. Washington County
--- 1.9 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 56.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.1%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (1.0%), public transportation (1.9%), worked from home (9.1%)
#14. Scott County
--- 2.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 57.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.5%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (0.6%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (9.4%)
#13. Carver County
--- 3.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 55.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.9%), carpooled (5.9%), walked to work (1.0%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (11.4%)
#12. Fillmore County
--- 3.3 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 42.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.2%), carpooled (10.5%), walked to work (4.0%), public transportation (1.6%), worked from home (9.4%)
#11. Morrison County
--- 3.4 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 39.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.9%), carpooled (9.9%), walked to work (3.7%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (6.6%)
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#10. Anoka County
--- 3.5 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 55.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.2%), carpooled (7.4%), walked to work (1.0%), public transportation (2.8%), worked from home (7.7%)
#9. Le Sueur County
--- 3.6 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 62.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.6%), carpooled (8.0%), walked to work (2.9%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (5.9%)
#8. Aitkin County
--- 4.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.5%), carpooled (8.9%), walked to work (2.2%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (7.5%)
#7. Wright County
--- 6.5 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 54.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.5%), carpooled (6.6%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (6.5%)
#6. Mille Lacs County
--- 6.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 24.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 46.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.7%), carpooled (10.8%), walked to work (2.8%), public transportation (1.4%), worked from home (6.9%)
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#5. Kanabec County
--- 6.9 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 50.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.2%), carpooled (11.5%), walked to work (3.4%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (5.2%)
#4. Pine County
--- 8.5 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 40.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.9%), carpooled (12.2%), walked to work (2.3%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (7.2%)
#3. Sherburne County
--- 8.6 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 24.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 66.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.3%), carpooled (8.9%), walked to work (0.5%), public transportation (1.5%), worked from home (7.0%)
#2. Chisago County
--- 8.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 25.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 59.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.3%), carpooled (9.0%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (1.6%), worked from home (7.0%)
#1. Isanti County
--- 11.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 19.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 27.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 59.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.3%), carpooled (7.4%), walked to work (0.9%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (6.2%)
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