Counties with the worst commutes in Missouri

Written by:
July 17, 2023
Sundry Photography // Shutterstock

Counties with the worst commutes in Missouri

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 Missouri, 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.

#49. McDonald County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 25.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 20%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.2%
--- Carpooled: 10.2%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.9%

#49. St. Charles County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 25.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 42.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.6%
--- Carpooled: 5.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 11.6%

#48. Dade County

- Average commute to work: 25.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 37.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.5%
--- Carpooled: 9.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 2.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 7.9%

#47. Madison County

- Average commute to work: 25.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 33.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.9%
--- Carpooled: 12.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 0.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6.7%

#46. St. Francois County

- Average commute to work: 25.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 26.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.5%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 4.9%

#45. Putnam County

- Average commute to work: 26.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 14.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.2%
--- Carpooled: 17.3%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 2.9%

#40. Cedar County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 26.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 32.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.1%
--- Carpooled: 6.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.4%
--- Worked from home: 8.9%

#40. Howard County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 26.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.2%
--- Carpooled: 11.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.8%
--- Worked from home: 8.3%

#40. Iron County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 26.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84%
--- Carpooled: 10.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 2.5%

#40. Moniteau County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 26.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 52%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.7%
--- Carpooled: 12.8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 7.6%

#40. Polk County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 26.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 37.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.8%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 5.9%

#39. Morgan County

- Average commute to work: 26.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 31.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 68%
--- Carpooled: 16.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.8%
--- Worked from home: 11.4%

#38. Miller County

- Average commute to work: 27.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81%
--- Carpooled: 10.4%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#36. Montgomery County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 27.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 44.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.8%
--- Carpooled: 10.3%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 3.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.3%
--- Worked from home: 4.9%

#36. Webster County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 27.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 54.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.9%
--- Carpooled: 11.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 5.3%

#35. Wright County

- Average commute to work: 27.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 41.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 2.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 4%

#32. Carroll County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 27.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79%
--- Carpooled: 10.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 8.3%

#32. Carter County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 27.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 34%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.8%
--- Carpooled: 11.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.1%
--- Worked from home: 10.4%

#32. Monroe County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 27.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 52.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.3%
--- Carpooled: 8.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 3.3%

#31. Crawford County

- Average commute to work: 27.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 15.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 41.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77%
--- Carpooled: 16%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 0.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 5%

#30. Stone County

- Average commute to work: 28 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.2%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 7.9%

#28. Cooper County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 28.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.3%
--- Carpooled: 10.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.4%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

#28. St. Clair County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 28.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 42.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.8%
--- Carpooled: 11.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 7.1%

#27. Lafayette County

- Average commute to work: 28.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 45.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.9%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 6.6%

#26. Clark County

- Average commute to work: 28.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 8.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.1%
--- Carpooled: 7.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 8.4%

#25. Schuyler County

- Average commute to work: 28.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 90.2%
--- Carpooled: 2.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 0.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 5.3%

#24. Ozark County

- Average commute to work: 29 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 32.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 6%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 6.9%

#23. Ray County

- Average commute to work: 29.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.4%
--- Carpooled: 7.8%
--- Public transportation: 1%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.3%
--- Worked from home: 6.5%

#21. DeKalb County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 56.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.8%
--- Carpooled: 7.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 8.4%

#21. Franklin County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 34.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 7%

#19. Cass County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.3%
--- Carpooled: 6.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%

#19. Gasconade County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 16.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 39.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.2%
--- Carpooled: 8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.2%
--- Worked from home: 5.3%

#18. Warren County

- Average commute to work: 30 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 65.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 0.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 5.3%

#17. Clinton County

- Average commute to work: 30.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 63%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.7%
--- Carpooled: 9.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 0.3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 7.4%

#16. Shannon County

- Average commute to work: 30.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 14.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75%
--- Carpooled: 13.7%
--- Public transportation: 1.2%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.1%
--- Worked from home: 9.1%

#15. Benton County

- Average commute to work: 30.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 14.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.9%
--- Carpooled: 10.5%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 3.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 3.7%

#13. Maries County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 30.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 14.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 63.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.8%
--- Carpooled: 13.4%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 8.6%

#13. Worth County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 30.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 27.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83%
--- Carpooled: 6.9%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.1%
--- Worked from home: 7.1%

#12. Dallas County

- Average commute to work: 30.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78%
--- Carpooled: 10.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 4.4%
--- Worked from home: 5.9%

#11. Jefferson County

- Average commute to work: 30.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 57.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.2%
--- Carpooled: 7%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 0.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 7.1%

#10. Daviess County

- Average commute to work: 31.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 15.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 49.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 71.3%
--- Carpooled: 12.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 3.5%
--- Worked from home: 10.1%

#9. Wayne County

- Average commute to work: 31.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 69.8%
--- Carpooled: 19.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 7.9%

#8. Ste. Genevieve County

- Average commute to work: 32.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 17.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 86.1%
--- Carpooled: 7.8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 4.2%

#7. Caldwell County

- Average commute to work: 32.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 17.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 61.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.5%
--- Carpooled: 11.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 5.1%

#6. Bollinger County

- Average commute to work: 32.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 56.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 71%
--- Carpooled: 17.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%

#5. Lincoln County

- Average commute to work: 33.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 63.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.3%
--- Carpooled: 8.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 4%

#4. Hickory County

- Average commute to work: 33.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 26.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 57.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 4.7%
--- Worked from home: 3.6%

#3. Washington County

- Average commute to work: 33.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 21.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 55.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.8%
--- Carpooled: 11.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.7%
--- Worked from home: 3.7%

#2. Bates County

- Average commute to work: 34 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 24.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.3%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 9.6%

#1. Ripley County

- Average commute to work: 34.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 17.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 29.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.8%
--- Carpooled: 11.4%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 9.3%

Trending Now