Counties with the worst commutes in North Carolina
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 Carolina, 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. Anson County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 25.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 44.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.3%
--- Carpooled: 14%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.1%
--- Worked from home: 3.1%
#49. Iredell County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 25.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.3%
--- Carpooled: 8.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 10.6%
#48. Wake County
- Average commute to work: 25.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 14.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 71.1%
--- Carpooled: 6.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 18.7%
#47. Bladen County
- Average commute to work: 25.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 36%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.3%
--- Carpooled: 7.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%
#44. Caldwell County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 25.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 39.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.3%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.2%
--- Worked from home: 4.6%
#44. Mecklenburg County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 25.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 7.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 69.3%
--- Carpooled: 8.1%
--- Public transportation: 2.3%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 17.1%
#44. Rockingham County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 25.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.4%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.7%
--- Worked from home: 3.9%
#42. Polk County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 26 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 19.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.5%
--- Carpooled: 9.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 10.9%
#42. Surry County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 26 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84%
--- Carpooled: 11.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 3.4%
#41. Rowan County
- Average commute to work: 26.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.9%
--- Carpooled: 9.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 5.2%
#39. Lee County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 26.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 36%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.3%
--- Carpooled: 12.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 0.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 3.9%
#39. Yancey County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 26.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 36.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.9%
--- Carpooled: 6.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 0.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.6%
--- Worked from home: 7%
#38. Moore County
- Average commute to work: 26.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 3.9%
--- Worked from home: 9.1%
#37. Gaston County
- Average commute to work: 26.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.6%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 6.4%
#36. Cherokee County
- Average commute to work: 26.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 11%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.7%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.4%
--- Worked from home: 8.1%
#34. Bertie County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 26.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.7%
--- Carpooled: 11.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.9%
--- Worked from home: 1.6%
#34. Wilkes County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 26.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 25.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.7%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 5.9%
#33. Davie County
- Average commute to work: 27 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.2%
--- Carpooled: 10.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 6.6%
#32. Washington County
- Average commute to work: 27.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 48.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.6%
--- Carpooled: 6.3%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 2.3%
--- Bicycle: 1.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 3.3%
--- Worked from home: 3.2%
#29. Duplin County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 27.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 41.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.9%
--- Carpooled: 13.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 3.8%
#29. Stanly County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 27.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 6%
#29. Yadkin County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 27.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 52.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.9%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 4.5%
#28. Columbus County
- Average commute to work: 28 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 23.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 86.3%
--- Carpooled: 8.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 3.7%
#27. Northampton County
- Average commute to work: 28.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 42.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.3%
--- Carpooled: 11.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2%
--- Worked from home: 3.8%
#25. Cabarrus County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 28.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77%
--- Carpooled: 8.5%
--- Public transportation: 1.1%
--- Walked: 0.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 11.7%
#25. Greene County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 28.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 64.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85.5%
--- Carpooled: 10.4%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 3.1%
#24. Hertford County
- Average commute to work: 28.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 17.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 16.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.5%
--- Carpooled: 11.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 2.5%
--- Bicycle: 1.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.7%
--- Worked from home: 2%
#23. Warren County
- Average commute to work: 28.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.7%
--- Worked from home: 3.9%
#22. Sampson County
- Average commute to work: 28.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 37%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.6%
--- Carpooled: 11.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 3.9%
#20. Chatham County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 29 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73%
--- Carpooled: 6.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 2.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 15.9%
#20. Pasquotank County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 29 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 18.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 13.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78%
--- Carpooled: 12.1%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%
#19. Granville County
- Average commute to work: 29.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82%
--- Carpooled: 8.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 0.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 7.9%
#18. Union County
- Average commute to work: 29.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.2%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 0.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 13.4%
#17. Hoke County
- Average commute to work: 29.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 66.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.8%
--- Carpooled: 10.2%
--- Public transportation: 1%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 4.9%
#16. Stokes County
- Average commute to work: 29.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 63.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 86.8%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 0.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 4.5%
#14. Jones County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 30.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 75.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.4%
--- Carpooled: 11.7%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 2.8%
#14. Lincoln County (tie)
- Average commute to work: 30.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.1%
--- Carpooled: 7.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 0.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 7.7%
#13. Camden County
- Average commute to work: 30.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.1%
--- Carpooled: 11.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 6.2%
#12. Caswell County
- Average commute to work: 30.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 86%
--- Carpooled: 8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.8%
--- Worked from home: 4%
#11. Person County
- Average commute to work: 30.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.7%
--- Carpooled: 8.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 0.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.5%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%
#10. Chowan County
- Average commute to work: 31.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 14.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 33.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85.9%
--- Carpooled: 7.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 3.2%
#9. Tyrrell County
- Average commute to work: 31.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 22.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.7%
--- Carpooled: 14.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 7.7%
#8. Harnett County
- Average commute to work: 31.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 61.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.4%
--- Carpooled: 9.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 4.9%
#7. Johnston County
- Average commute to work: 32 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.9%
--- Carpooled: 9.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 8.9%
#6. Pender County
- Average commute to work: 32.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 57.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.7%
--- Carpooled: 10.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 0.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 7.7%
#5. Madison County
- Average commute to work: 33.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 55.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.1%
--- Carpooled: 7.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 11.4%
#4. Franklin County
- Average commute to work: 33.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 67.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.6%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 7.9%
#3. Perquimans County
- Average commute to work: 34.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 22.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85.3%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.9%
--- Worked from home: 3%
#2. Currituck County
- Average commute to work: 35.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 15.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 19.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82%
--- Carpooled: 9.8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 7%
#1. Gates County
- Average commute to work: 39.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 27.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 21.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.5%
--- Carpooled: 12.1%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.3%
--- Worked from home: 3.9%