Famartin // Wikimedia Commons
Counties with the worst commutes in New Jersey
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 New Jersey 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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Jorge Moro // Shutterstock
#21. Cape May County
- Average Commute Time: 22.3 minutes
--- 9.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 7.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 19.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.3%), carpooled (7.8%), walked to work (4.1%), public transportation (1.4%), worked from home (4.7%)
--- 9.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 7.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 19.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.3%), carpooled (7.8%), walked to work (4.1%), public transportation (1.4%), worked from home (4.7%)
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Cumberland County
- Average Commute Time: 24.3 minutes
--- 7.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 25.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.6%), carpooled (12.4%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (2.9%)
--- 7.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 25.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.6%), carpooled (12.4%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (2.9%)
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Bob Jagendorf // Wikicommons
#19. Atlantic County
- Average Commute Time: 24.9 minutes
--- 7.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 17.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.3%), carpooled (8.7%), walked to work (3.7%), public transportation (4.5%), worked from home (4.6%)
--- 7.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 17.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.3%), carpooled (8.7%), walked to work (3.7%), public transportation (4.5%), worked from home (4.6%)
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Salem County
- Average Commute Time: 26.7 minutes
--- 5.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 38.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.6%), carpooled (8.9%), walked to work (2.0%), public transportation (0.8%), worked from home (4.3%)
--- 5.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 38.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.6%), carpooled (8.9%), walked to work (2.0%), public transportation (0.8%), worked from home (4.3%)
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Sridhar // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Passaic County
- Average Commute Time: 28 minutes
--- 4.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 45.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.9%), carpooled (11.2%), walked to work (3.8%), public transportation (7.8%), worked from home (5.1%)
--- 4.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 45.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.9%), carpooled (11.2%), walked to work (3.8%), public transportation (7.8%), worked from home (5.1%)
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Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock
#16. Mercer County
- Average Commute Time: 28.6 minutes
--- 3.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 22.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (68.5%), carpooled (10.6%), walked to work (3.9%), public transportation (6.7%), worked from home (8.7%)
--- 3.4 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 22.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (68.5%), carpooled (10.6%), walked to work (3.9%), public transportation (6.7%), worked from home (8.7%)
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Canva
#15. Camden County
- Average Commute Time: 29.1 minutes
--- 2.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 30.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.2%), carpooled (9.5%), walked to work (1.7%), public transportation (6.6%), worked from home (6.4%)
--- 2.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 30.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.2%), carpooled (9.5%), walked to work (1.7%), public transportation (6.6%), worked from home (6.4%)
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Apc106 // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Burlington County
- Average Commute Time: 30 minutes
--- 2.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.6%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (1.0%), public transportation (3.1%), worked from home (7.2%)
--- 2.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.6%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (1.0%), public transportation (3.1%), worked from home (7.2%)
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Gloucester County
- Average Commute Time: 30.5 minutes
--- 1.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 35.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.9%), carpooled (6.4%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (2.6%), worked from home (6.5%)
--- 1.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 35.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.9%), carpooled (6.4%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (2.6%), worked from home (6.5%)
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#12. Ocean County
- Average Commute Time: 31 minutes
--- 1.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 11.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.7%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (1.3%), public transportation (1.5%), worked from home (6.4%)
--- 1.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 11.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.7%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (1.3%), public transportation (1.5%), worked from home (6.4%)
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Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock
#11. Morris County
- Average Commute Time: 31.1 minutes
--- 0.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.2%), carpooled (6.6%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (4.8%), worked from home (8.8%)
--- 0.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.2%), carpooled (6.6%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (4.8%), worked from home (8.8%)
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#10. Union County
- Average Commute Time: 31.3 minutes
--- 0.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 41.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (68.0%), carpooled (7.8%), walked to work (2.6%), public transportation (11.1%), worked from home (6.5%)
--- 0.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 41.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (68.0%), carpooled (7.8%), walked to work (2.6%), public transportation (11.1%), worked from home (6.5%)
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Zeete // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Somerset County
- Average Commute Time: 32.4 minutes
--- 0.4 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 7.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 43.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (75.6%), carpooled (6.9%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (4.8%), worked from home (9.7%)
--- 0.4 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 7.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 43.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (75.6%), carpooled (6.9%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (4.8%), worked from home (9.7%)
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#8. Bergen County
- Average Commute Time: 32.7 minutes
--- 0.7 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 19.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 7.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 20.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (66.1%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (14.6%), worked from home (8.1%)
--- 0.7 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 19.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 7.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 20.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (66.1%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (14.6%), worked from home (8.1%)
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Zeete // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Middlesex County
- Average Commute Time: 34.3 minutes
--- 2.3 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.4%), carpooled (8.8%), walked to work (1.9%), public transportation (9.2%), worked from home (7.7%)
--- 2.3 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.4%), carpooled (8.8%), walked to work (1.9%), public transportation (9.2%), worked from home (7.7%)
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Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock
#6. Essex County
- Average Commute Time: 34.8 minutes
--- 2.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 19.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 11.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (59.1%), carpooled (7.0%), walked to work (3.5%), public transportation (20.1%), worked from home (7.1%)
--- 2.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 19.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 11.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (59.1%), carpooled (7.0%), walked to work (3.5%), public transportation (20.1%), worked from home (7.1%)
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LittleGun // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Monmouth County
- Average Commute Time: 34.8 minutes
--- 2.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 20.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 27.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.4%), carpooled (7.3%), walked to work (1.4%), public transportation (7.5%), worked from home (8.3%)
--- 2.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 20.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 27.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.4%), carpooled (7.3%), walked to work (1.4%), public transportation (7.5%), worked from home (8.3%)
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Jared Kofsky/PlaceNJ.com // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Hunterdon County
- Average Commute Time: 35.1 minutes
--- 3.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 45.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.7%), carpooled (5.8%), walked to work (1.7%), public transportation (2.9%), worked from home (11.1%)
--- 3.1 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 10.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 45.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.7%), carpooled (5.8%), walked to work (1.7%), public transportation (2.9%), worked from home (11.1%)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Warren County
- Average Commute Time: 35.6 minutes
--- 3.6 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 20.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 48.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.8%), carpooled (8.0%), walked to work (2.4%), public transportation (1.3%), worked from home (6.1%)
--- 3.6 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 20.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 48.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.8%), carpooled (8.0%), walked to work (2.4%), public transportation (1.3%), worked from home (6.1%)
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f11 photo // Shutterstock
#2. Hudson County
- Average Commute Time: 36.2 minutes
--- 4.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 22.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (36.9%), carpooled (6.8%), walked to work (7.1%), public transportation (39.5%), worked from home (7.3%)
--- 4.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 9.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 22.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (36.9%), carpooled (6.8%), walked to work (7.1%), public transportation (39.5%), worked from home (7.3%)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Sussex County
- Average Commute Time: 38 minutes
--- 6.0 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 24.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 16.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 47.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.0%), carpooled (5.7%), walked to work (0.8%), public transportation (1.6%), worked from home (8.1%)
--- 6.0 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 24.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 16.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 47.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.0%), carpooled (5.7%), walked to work (0.8%), public transportation (1.6%), worked from home (8.1%)
