Counties with the worst commutes in Washington

·Stacker

Sundry Photography // Shutterstock
Sundry Photography // Shutterstock

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 Washington, 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.

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#39. Walla Walla County

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#39. Walla Walla County

- Average commute to work: 15.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 7.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 71.8%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 6.5%
--- Bicycle: 1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 9.8%

#37. Asotin County (tie)

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#37. Asotin County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 16.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 6.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 7.4%

#37. San Juan County (tie)

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#37. San Juan County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 16.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 2.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 64.2%
--- Carpooled: 6.3%
--- Public transportation: 1.3%
--- Walked: 7.6%
--- Bicycle: 1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.1%
--- Worked from home: 17.4%

#36. Whitman County

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#36. Whitman County

- Average commute to work: 16.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 2.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 59.9%
--- Carpooled: 9.3%
--- Public transportation: 3.9%
--- Walked: 15.7%
--- Bicycle: 1.7%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 8.3%

#35. Okanogan County

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#35. Okanogan County

- Average commute to work: 19.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 6.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.5%
--- Carpooled: 11.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 4.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2%
--- Worked from home: 10.4%

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#34. Columbia County

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#34. Columbia County

- Average commute to work: 19.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 24.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.5%
--- Carpooled: 9.8%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 7.4%
--- Bicycle: 1.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0%
--- Worked from home: 4.7%

#33. Yakima County

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#33. Yakima County

- Average commute to work: 19.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 4.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.7%
--- Carpooled: 11.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 4.8%

#32. Chelan County

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#32. Chelan County

- Average commute to work: 19.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 18.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.7%
--- Carpooled: 7.2%
--- Public transportation: 1%
--- Walked: 3.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.3%
--- Worked from home: 7.3%

#31. Grant County

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#31. Grant County

- Average commute to work: 20.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 7.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.8%
--- Carpooled: 13.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 1.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 7.5%

#30. Douglas County

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#30. Douglas County

- Average commute to work: 20.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 56.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82%
--- Carpooled: 5%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 3.8%
--- Worked from home: 6.3%

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#28. Adams County (tie)

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#28. Adams County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 20.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.4%
--- Carpooled: 15.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 2.3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.3%
--- Worked from home: 5.3%

#28. Clallam County (tie)

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#28. Clallam County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 20.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 5.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73%
--- Carpooled: 9.4%
--- Public transportation: 1%
--- Walked: 4.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.5%
--- Worked from home: 9.9%

#27. Franklin County

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#27. Franklin County

- Average commute to work: 21.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.5%
--- Carpooled: 13.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 0.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#26. Benton County

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#26. Benton County

- Average commute to work: 21.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 19.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.5%
--- Carpooled: 9.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%

#24. Spokane County (tie)

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#24. Spokane County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 1.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.1%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 2.2%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 10.6%

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#24. Whatcom County (tie)

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#24. Whatcom County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 22 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 7.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.5%
--- Carpooled: 8%
--- Public transportation: 1.9%
--- Walked: 3.4%
--- Bicycle: 2.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 9%

#23. Klickitat County

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#23. Klickitat County

- Average commute to work: 22.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 3.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70.6%
--- Carpooled: 3.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 5.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.2%
--- Worked from home: 17%

#22. Kittitas County

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#22. Kittitas County

- Average commute to work: 22.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 17.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 72.4%
--- Carpooled: 6%
--- Public transportation: 1.5%
--- Walked: 7.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.8%
--- Worked from home: 10.5%

#21. Pacific County

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#21. Pacific County

- Average commute to work: 22.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 10.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 69.5%
--- Carpooled: 11%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 5.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 12.2%

#20. Jefferson County

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#20. Jefferson County

- Average commute to work: 23.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 17%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 67.5%
--- Carpooled: 6.5%
--- Public transportation: 1.6%
--- Walked: 4.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.9%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 17.8%

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#19. Garfield County

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#19. Garfield County

- Average commute to work: 24 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 20.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 58.5%
--- Carpooled: 16.9%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 3.6%
--- Bicycle: 1.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 19.3%

#18. Ferry County

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#18. Ferry County

- Average commute to work: 24.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 23.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 63.5%
--- Carpooled: 16%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 5.2%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 13.9%

#17. Lincoln County

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#17. Lincoln County

- Average commute to work: 25.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 32.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 70%
--- Carpooled: 7.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 5.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 15.3%

#16. Grays Harbor County

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#16. Grays Harbor County

- Average commute to work: 25.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 16.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77%
--- Carpooled: 8.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 4%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.9%

#15. Skagit County

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#15. Skagit County

- Average commute to work: 26.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 21.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.7%
--- Carpooled: 9.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 9.8%

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#14. Cowlitz County

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#14. Cowlitz County

- Average commute to work: 26.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 15.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.8%
--- Carpooled: 8.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#13. Island County

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#13. Island County

- Average commute to work: 26.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 71.7%
--- Carpooled: 10.8%
--- Public transportation: 1.7%
--- Walked: 3.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 10.6%

#12. Clark County

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#12. Clark County

- Average commute to work: 26.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 2.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.2%
--- Carpooled: 8.4%
--- Public transportation: 1.7%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 12.6%

#11. Thurston County

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#11. Thurston County

- Average commute to work: 27.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 26.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74%
--- Carpooled: 9.3%
--- Public transportation: 1.6%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 11.4%

#10. Lewis County

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#10. Lewis County

- Average commute to work: 28 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 25.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.6%
--- Carpooled: 11.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 6.2%

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#8. King County (tie)

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#8. King County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 5.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 55.4%
--- Carpooled: 8.5%
--- Public transportation: 10.7%
--- Walked: 4.8%
--- Bicycle: 1.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 18%

#8. Kitsap County (tie)

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#8. Kitsap County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 15.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 66.2%
--- Carpooled: 8.1%
--- Public transportation: 7.4%
--- Walked: 5.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.9%
--- Worked from home: 10.5%

#7. Skamania County

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#7. Skamania County

- Average commute to work: 29.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.5%
--- Carpooled: 5.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.1%
--- Worked from home: 13%

#6. Stevens County

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#6. Stevens County

- Average commute to work: 30 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 30.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.4%
--- Carpooled: 7.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 7.6%

#5. Snohomish County

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#5. Snohomish County

- Average commute to work: 32 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 14.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 32.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 69.9%
--- Carpooled: 10%
--- Public transportation: 4.3%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 12.6%

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#4. Pierce County

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#4. Pierce County

- Average commute to work: 32.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 15.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.5%
--- Carpooled: 9.9%
--- Public transportation: 3.4%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.1%
--- Worked from home: 8.8%

#3. Pend Oreille County

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#3. Pend Oreille County

- Average commute to work: 34.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 25.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 27.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.8%
--- Carpooled: 10.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.3%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.9%
--- Worked from home: 11.4%

#2. Mason County

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#2. Mason County

- Average commute to work: 35.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 17%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 48.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.4%
--- Carpooled: 11.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.9%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.3%
--- Worked from home: 8%

#1. Wahkiakum County

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#1. Wahkiakum County

- Average commute to work: 42.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 22.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 39.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.5%
--- Carpooled: 11%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 5.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.3%
--- Worked from home: 8.5%