Counties with the worst commutes in North Dakota

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

Counties with the worst commutes in North Dakota

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 North Dakota, 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.

#53. McIntosh County

- Average commute to work: 11.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 0.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 5.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.9%
--- Carpooled: 3.8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 7.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.8%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 9.8%

#52. Foster County

- Average commute to work: 12.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 2.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 16%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.2%
--- Carpooled: 3.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 3.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 7.5%

#51. Logan County

- Average commute to work: 13.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 2.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 16.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 59.4%
--- Carpooled: 10.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 9.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 18.8%

#50. Pierce County

- Average commute to work: 13.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 18.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.9%
--- Carpooled: 1.3%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 3.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 10%

#49. Stutsman County

- Average commute to work: 14.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 6.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.1%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 5.1%

#47. Cavalier County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 15 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 10.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.6%
--- Carpooled: 12%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 4.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 5.7%

#47. Steele County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 15 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 34.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.3%
--- Carpooled: 5%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 6.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.3%
--- Worked from home: 9.2%

#46. Grand Forks County

- Average commute to work: 15.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 2.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 2.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.6%
--- Carpooled: 7.8%
--- Public transportation: 1.2%
--- Walked: 4.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 4.9%

#45. Bowman County

- Average commute to work: 15.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 7.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.7%
--- Carpooled: 5.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 7.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.1%

#44. Benson County

- Average commute to work: 15.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 25.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72.5%
--- Carpooled: 10.9%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 7.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 4.3%
--- Worked from home: 4.4%

#41. Adams County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 15.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 11.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 66.5%
--- Carpooled: 12.1%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 5.1%
--- Bicycle: 1.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 14.8%

#41. Griggs County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 15.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 16.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 7.3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 9.9%

#41. Rolette County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 15.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.4%
--- Carpooled: 13.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 2.7%

#40. Ramsey County

- Average commute to work: 16.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 13.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.7%
--- Carpooled: 9.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 6.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 3.4%

#39. Sioux County

- Average commute to work: 16.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 3.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76%
--- Carpooled: 10.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 8.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 4.6%

#38. Williams County

- Average commute to work: 16.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 3.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85.6%
--- Carpooled: 7.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 2.6%

#37. Divide County

- Average commute to work: 16.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 9.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.3%
--- Carpooled: 2.9%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 6%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 11.5%

#36. Stark County

- Average commute to work: 16.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.6%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.4%

#35. Sargent County

- Average commute to work: 16.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 14%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75%
--- Carpooled: 9.2%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 7.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 7.1%

#34. Eddy County

- Average commute to work: 16.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 29.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 69.6%
--- Carpooled: 8.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 13.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.2%
--- Worked from home: 5.7%

#32. Hettinger County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 17 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 23.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.2%
--- Carpooled: 1.5%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 6.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 9.2%

#32. Towner County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 17 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 18.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.8%
--- Carpooled: 11%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 6.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 5.2%

#31. Wells County

- Average commute to work: 17.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 12.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 68.2%
--- Carpooled: 13.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 9.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 7%

#30. Cass County

- Average commute to work: 17.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 2.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.7%
--- Carpooled: 7.7%
--- Public transportation: 1%
--- Walked: 2.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#29. Walsh County

- Average commute to work: 17.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 14.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.9%
--- Carpooled: 10.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 3.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 4.1%

#28. Mercer County

- Average commute to work: 17.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 13.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85.2%
--- Carpooled: 4.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#27. Barnes County

- Average commute to work: 17.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 19.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.4%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 6.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 4.3%

#26. Burleigh County

- Average commute to work: 17.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 13.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.4%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

#23. Emmons County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 18.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 13.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 69.4%
--- Carpooled: 8.3%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 8.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 13.3%

#23. Nelson County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 18.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 23.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 68.2%
--- Carpooled: 10%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 11.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.8%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.1%
--- Worked from home: 7.1%

#23. Pembina County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 18.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 2.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 14.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.6%
--- Carpooled: 12.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 3.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.8%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.7%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#22. Bottineau County

- Average commute to work: 18.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 20.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.7%
--- Carpooled: 8.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 6.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2%
--- Worked from home: 6.6%

#21. LaMoure County

- Average commute to work: 18.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 20.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 71.9%
--- Carpooled: 8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 6%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 12.8%

#20. Ward County

- Average commute to work: 18.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 7.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.2%
--- Carpooled: 10.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 4.7%

#19. Mountrail County

- Average commute to work: 19.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 22.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.8%
--- Carpooled: 11.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 7.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 3.8%

#17. Morton County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 19.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 55%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85.9%
--- Carpooled: 6.1%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6.3%

#17. Slope County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 19.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 57.4%
--- Carpooled: 4.4%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 18.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 18%

#15. McKenzie County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 19.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 12.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85%
--- Carpooled: 5.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 2.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 3.2%

#15. Richland County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 19.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 17.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.7%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 3.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 5.3%

#12. Dickey County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 19.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 20.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.6%
--- Carpooled: 10%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 5.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%

#12. Grant County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 19.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 17.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 66.2%
--- Carpooled: 9.7%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 9.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 12.9%

#12. Traill County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 19.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 23.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 3.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 4.9%

#11. Ransom County

- Average commute to work: 21.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.6%
--- Carpooled: 10.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 3.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 7.2%

#10. McLean County

- Average commute to work: 22.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.7%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 3.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 6.5%

#9. Oliver County

- Average commute to work: 23 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 45.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.7%
--- Carpooled: 6.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 3.4%
--- Worked from home: 13.1%

#8. Dunn County

- Average commute to work: 23.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 24.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79%
--- Carpooled: 3.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 5%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 12%

#7. Sheridan County

- Average commute to work: 23.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 36%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 61.6%
--- Carpooled: 17.1%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 9.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 10.9%

#6. Billings County

- Average commute to work: 23.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 52.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72.8%
--- Carpooled: 5.2%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 6.9%
--- Bicycle: 1.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.7%
--- Worked from home: 11.9%

#5. Golden Valley County

- Average commute to work: 24.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 19.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.1%
--- Carpooled: 4%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 5.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.4%
--- Worked from home: 4.5%

#4. Burke County

- Average commute to work: 24.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 33.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.2%
--- Carpooled: 11.7%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 9.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 8.6%

#3. Kidder County

- Average commute to work: 25.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 33.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 65%
--- Carpooled: 17.8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 4.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.1%
--- Worked from home: 12%

#2. McHenry County

- Average commute to work: 26.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 44.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.4%
--- Carpooled: 6.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 4.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 13.7%

#1. Renville County

- Average commute to work: 37.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 20.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.6%
--- Carpooled: 14.3%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 6.1%

Trending Now