Counties with the worst commutes in Washington

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July 17, 2023
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Counties with the worst commutes in Washington

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.

#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)

- 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)

- 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

- 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

- 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%

#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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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%

#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)

- 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

- 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

- 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)

- 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%

#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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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%

#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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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%

#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

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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%

#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)

- 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

- 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

- 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

- 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%

#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

- 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

- 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

- 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%

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