Counties with the worst commutes in Virginia

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

Counties with the worst commutes in Virginia

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 Virginia, 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. Isle of Wight County

- Average commute to work: 30 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 66.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.9%
--- Carpooled: 6.3%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 8.3%

#49. Goochland County

- Average commute to work: 30.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 63.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79%
--- Carpooled: 6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 13.9%

#48. Scott County

- Average commute to work: 30.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 11%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 86.8%
--- Carpooled: 8%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 3.2%

#47. Alexandria city

- Average commute to work: 30.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 32.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 53.9%
--- Carpooled: 7.1%
--- Public transportation: 16%
--- Walked: 3.4%
--- Bicycle: 1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.8%
--- Worked from home: 16.7%

#45. Charlotte County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 31 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 14.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 56.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 2.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 3.2%
--- Worked from home: 6.1%

#45. Franklin County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 31 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 39.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.6%
--- Carpooled: 6.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 9.7%

#44. Dinwiddie County

- Average commute to work: 31.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 70.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85.2%
--- Carpooled: 6.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 5.7%

#43. Fairfax County

- Average commute to work: 31.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 20.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 63%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 7.3%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 17.6%

#41. Brunswick County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 31.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 57.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.3%
--- Carpooled: 9.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.9%
--- Worked from home: 3.8%

#41. Nelson County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 31.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 64.1%
--- Carpooled: 16.3%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 16.8%

#40. Patrick County

- Average commute to work: 32 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 27.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.8%
--- Carpooled: 8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 7.5%

#39. Southampton County

- Average commute to work: 32.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 15.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 64%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.5%
--- Carpooled: 6.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 0.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.4%
--- Worked from home: 4.9%

#38. New Kent County

- Average commute to work: 32.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 65.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.7%
--- Carpooled: 6.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 0.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 15.7%

#36. Greene County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 32.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 68.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.9%
--- Carpooled: 14.9%
--- Public transportation: 1%
--- Walked: 0.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.6%
--- Worked from home: 10.1%

#36. Nottoway County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 32.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 21.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 44.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.1%
--- Carpooled: 7.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 4.4%
--- Worked from home: 7%

#35. Lunenburg County

- Average commute to work: 32.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 62.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 0.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.5%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

#34. Fluvanna County

- Average commute to work: 32.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 67%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 12.2%

#33. Powhatan County

- Average commute to work: 32.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 65.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.5%
--- Carpooled: 4.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 0.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.2%
--- Worked from home: 14.9%

#32. Loudoun County

- Average commute to work: 33.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 16.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 33.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 67.4%
--- Carpooled: 8.3%
--- Public transportation: 2.2%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 19.1%

#31. Frederick County

- Average commute to work: 33.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 19.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.1%
--- Carpooled: 8.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 7.8%

#30. Floyd County

- Average commute to work: 33.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 17.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 52.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.8%
--- Carpooled: 9.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 10.1%

#29. Page County

- Average commute to work: 33.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 18.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.6%
--- Carpooled: 15.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 4.5%

#28. Caroline County

- Average commute to work: 34.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 15.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 59.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.5%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 5.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 7.3%

#27. Craig County

- Average commute to work: 34.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 60.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 86.3%
--- Carpooled: 8.8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 0.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 4.7%

#26. Sussex County

- Average commute to work: 34.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 66.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84%
--- Carpooled: 9.3%
--- Public transportation: 1%
--- Walked: 2.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 2.4%

#25. Manassas city

- Average commute to work: 34.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 20.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 63.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72.6%
--- Carpooled: 12%
--- Public transportation: 3.7%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%

#24. Gloucester County

- Average commute to work: 35 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 17.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 62%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85.7%
--- Carpooled: 5.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 6.1%

#21. Charles City County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 35.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 79.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.8%
--- Carpooled: 6.8%
--- Public transportation: 2.3%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 5.9%

#21. King George County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 35.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 19%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.2%
--- Carpooled: 8.4%
--- Public transportation: 1.2%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 8.3%

#21. Northumberland County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 35.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 16.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.2%
--- Carpooled: 11.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 0.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 12.4%

#19. King and Queen County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 35.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 17%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 74.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.4%
--- Carpooled: 9.7%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 7.3%

#19. Louisa County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 35.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.7%
--- Carpooled: 10.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 0.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 9.1%

#18. Clarke County

- Average commute to work: 35.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 19%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 67%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 75.2%
--- Carpooled: 8.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.8%
--- Worked from home: 11.8%

#17. Essex County

- Average commute to work: 36.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 26.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.9%
--- Carpooled: 11.6%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.2%

#16. Culpeper County

- Average commute to work: 37.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 24.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

#15. Spotsylvania County

- Average commute to work: 37.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 23.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.4%
--- Carpooled: 11.1%
--- Public transportation: 2.2%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 10.4%

#14. Amelia County

- Average commute to work: 38.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 17.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 72.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85.9%
--- Carpooled: 3.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 1.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 6.5%

#13. King William County

- Average commute to work: 38.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 14.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 64.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84%
--- Carpooled: 5.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 0.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 9.7%

#12. Orange County

- Average commute to work: 38.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 21.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 54.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.4%
--- Carpooled: 10%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 9.6%

#10. Fauquier County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 38.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 26.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.9%
--- Carpooled: 7.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 12.9%

#10. Mathews County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 38.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 30.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 65.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.9%
--- Carpooled: 6.6%
--- Public transportation: 1.1%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 6.5%

#9. Cumberland County

- Average commute to work: 38.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 30.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 68.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84%
--- Carpooled: 6.9%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 6.6%

#7. Prince William County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 39.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 23.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.5%
--- Carpooled: 10.9%
--- Public transportation: 3.8%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.8%
--- Worked from home: 11.7%

#7. Stafford County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 39.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 26.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 68.8%
--- Carpooled: 11.9%
--- Public transportation: 3.5%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 12.8%

#6. Buckingham County

- Average commute to work: 39.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 20.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 64.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.4%
--- Carpooled: 8.9%
--- Public transportation: 1.6%
--- Walked: 0.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 4.4%
--- Worked from home: 4.9%

#5. Surry County

- Average commute to work: 39.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 23.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 73.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.1%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 2.6%
--- Walked: 0.7%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.7%
--- Worked from home: 2.2%

#4. Warren County

- Average commute to work: 40 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 30.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 52.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72.6%
--- Carpooled: 13.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 9.5%

#3. Westmoreland County

- Average commute to work: 40.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 22.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 49.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.4%
--- Carpooled: 10%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 10.1%

#2. Rappahannock County

- Average commute to work: 40.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 30.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.8%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 1.5%
--- Walked: 4.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.3%
--- Worked from home: 13.9%

#1. Manassas Park city

- Average commute to work: 41.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 25.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 73.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.1%
--- Carpooled: 10.1%
--- Public transportation: 6.5%
--- Walked: 0.3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 7.7%

Trending Now