Counties with the worst commutes in New York

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July 17, 2023
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Counties with the worst commutes in New York

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 New York, 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.

#50. St. Lawrence County

- Average commute to work: 20.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 9.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.2%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 6%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 6.1%

#49. Erie County

- Average commute to work: 21.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 5.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.1%
--- Public transportation: 3.2%
--- Walked: 2.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 7.6%

#48. Cortland County

- Average commute to work: 21.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.3%
--- Carpooled: 11.2%
--- Public transportation: 1.2%
--- Walked: 4.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#47. Yates County

- Average commute to work: 21.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.4%
--- Carpooled: 7.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 5.4%
--- Bicycle: 2.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 12.7%

#46. Seneca County

- Average commute to work: 21.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.7%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 2.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.4%
--- Worked from home: 6.8%

#45. Steuben County

- Average commute to work: 22 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 22.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.7%
--- Carpooled: 9.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 3.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 5.9%

#44. Warren County

- Average commute to work: 22.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 29.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81%
--- Carpooled: 7.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 2.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 6.3%

#42. Allegany County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.1%
--- Carpooled: 7.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 8.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 5.9%

#42. Cattaraugus County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 26.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.3%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 4%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#41. Essex County

- Average commute to work: 22.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 21.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.8%
--- Carpooled: 10.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 4.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 8.9%

#38. Cayuga County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 36.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.9%
--- Carpooled: 6.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 3.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.9%
--- Worked from home: 5.6%

#38. Niagara County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 39.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.8%
--- Carpooled: 7.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 2.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 6.2%

#38. Schenectady County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 2.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 3.4%
--- Walked: 3.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 8.4%

#37. Otsego County

- Average commute to work: 23.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 21.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.1%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 1.1%
--- Walked: 7.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6.7%

#35. Genesee County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 23.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.9%
--- Carpooled: 6.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 4.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.7%
--- Worked from home: 4.8%

#35. Ontario County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 23.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 37.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.8%
--- Carpooled: 7.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 8.5%

#34. Rensselaer County

- Average commute to work: 23.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.9%
--- Carpooled: 7.3%
--- Public transportation: 2.6%
--- Walked: 3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 8.9%

#33. Tioga County

- Average commute to work: 23.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.7%
--- Carpooled: 6.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 2.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 5.6%

#32. Chenango County

- Average commute to work: 23.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 31.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 4.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#30. Herkimer County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 23.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 44.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.6%
--- Carpooled: 7%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 4.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.3%

#30. Madison County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 23.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 49.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.5%
--- Carpooled: 6.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 5.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.8%

#29. Montgomery County

- Average commute to work: 24 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 41.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.9%
--- Carpooled: 8.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 2.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 3.2%
--- Worked from home: 6.5%

#28. Lewis County

- Average commute to work: 24.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 34.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.7%
--- Carpooled: 10.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 4.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 5.7%

#27. Wayne County

- Average commute to work: 24.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.7%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 6.3%

#25. Livingston County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.3%
--- Carpooled: 8%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 5.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 6.1%

#25. Oswego County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.4%
--- Carpooled: 7.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 3.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.3%
--- Worked from home: 5.6%

#24. Fulton County

- Average commute to work: 24.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 39.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 2.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 4.2%

#23. Saratoga County

- Average commute to work: 25.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.7%
--- Carpooled: 6.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 11%

#21. Orleans County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 25.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.7%
--- Carpooled: 10.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 3.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.8%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.1%
--- Worked from home: 6.4%

#21. Wyoming County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 25.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 44.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.8%
--- Carpooled: 5.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 5.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 5.1%

#20. Washington County

- Average commute to work: 25.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.5%
--- Carpooled: 8%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 2.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#18. Columbia County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 26 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.2%
--- Carpooled: 6.6%
--- Public transportation: 2.4%
--- Walked: 3.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.9%
--- Worked from home: 11.6%

#18. Delaware County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 26 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 24.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73%
--- Carpooled: 8.1%
--- Public transportation: 1.1%
--- Walked: 7.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 8.7%

#17. Schuyler County

- Average commute to work: 28.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 49.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.5%
--- Carpooled: 11.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 8.1%

#16. Greene County

- Average commute to work: 28.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 1.1%
--- Walked: 2.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 9.4%

#14. Sullivan County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 28.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 27.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.1%
--- Carpooled: 6.8%
--- Public transportation: 1.7%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 7.7%

#14. Ulster County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 28.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.4%
--- Public transportation: 2.5%
--- Walked: 3.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 11.6%

#13. Rockland County

- Average commute to work: 31.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 16.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 26%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 69.7%
--- Carpooled: 8.6%
--- Public transportation: 7.2%
--- Walked: 3.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.4%
--- Worked from home: 8.7%

#12. Schoharie County

- Average commute to work: 31.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 15.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 42.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.5%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 4.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 7.7%

#11. Dutchess County

- Average commute to work: 32 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 16.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.1%
--- Carpooled: 6.9%
--- Public transportation: 4.4%
--- Walked: 3.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 9.9%

#9. New York County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 32.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 10.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 5.8%
--- Carpooled: 1.8%
--- Public transportation: 50.8%
--- Walked: 18.9%
--- Bicycle: 2.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 3.4%
--- Worked from home: 17%

#9. Suffolk County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 32.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 15.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 21.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.7%
--- Carpooled: 7.3%
--- Public transportation: 5.6%
--- Walked: 1.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 7.6%

#8. Orange County

- Average commute to work: 34.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 19.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 25.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72.4%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 5%
--- Walked: 3.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.7%
--- Worked from home: 8.5%

#7. Westchester County

- Average commute to work: 34.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 21.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 53.9%
--- Carpooled: 7.6%
--- Public transportation: 19.9%
--- Walked: 4.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 12.6%

#6. Nassau County

- Average commute to work: 36.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 22.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 64.8%
--- Carpooled: 7.3%
--- Public transportation: 14.4%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 10%

#5. Putnam County

- Average commute to work: 39.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 22.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 56.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.6%
--- Carpooled: 7.7%
--- Public transportation: 7%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 9.4%

#4. Kings County

- Average commute to work: 42.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 28.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 18.3%
--- Carpooled: 4%
--- Public transportation: 53.8%
--- Walked: 8.5%
--- Bicycle: 2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.7%
--- Worked from home: 11.8%

#3. Queens County

- Average commute to work: 43.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 30.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 32.8%
--- Carpooled: 6.1%
--- Public transportation: 45.5%
--- Walked: 5.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 7.8%

#2. Richmond County

- Average commute to work: 44.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 34.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 54.6%
--- Carpooled: 8.4%
--- Public transportation: 26.2%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 6.7%

#1. Bronx County

- Average commute to work: 45.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 35%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 52%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 24.1%
--- Carpooled: 4.3%
--- Public transportation: 56.1%
--- Walked: 7.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.1%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

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