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 data.
Stacker compiled a list of counties with the worst commutes in Washington using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by longest average commute time in 2020. 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
- Average Commute Time: 15.8 minutes
--- 12.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.8%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 16.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 7.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (71.8%), carpooled (9.8%), walked to work (6.9%), public transportation (1.0%), worked from home (8.3%)
#38. Asotin County
- Average Commute Time: 16.3 minutes
--- 11.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 6.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.3%), carpooled (9.4%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (7.8%)

#37. San Juan County
- Average Commute Time: 16.5 minutes
--- 11.5 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 4.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 3.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (66.5%), carpooled (6.7%), walked to work (7.2%), public transportation (1.8%), worked from home (15.2%)
#36. Whitman County
- Average Commute Time: 16.7 minutes
--- 11.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 2.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 8.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 4.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (61.4%), carpooled (10.8%), walked to work (15.1%), public transportation (4.2%), worked from home (6.1%)
#35. Yakima County
- Average Commute Time: 19.2 minutes
--- 8.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 3.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 3.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.9%), carpooled (12.0%), walked to work (1.3%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (4.2%)
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#34. Okanogan County
- Average Commute Time: 19.2 minutes
--- 8.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 7.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (72.2%), carpooled (11.3%), walked to work (5.2%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (8.9%)

#33. Chelan County
- Average Commute Time: 19.7 minutes
--- 8.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 18.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.3%), carpooled (8.6%), walked to work (3.8%), public transportation (0.9%), worked from home (6.4%)

#32. Grant County
- Average Commute Time: 19.8 minutes
--- 8.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 7.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (72.6%), carpooled (13.6%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (1.1%), worked from home (8.0%)
#31. Adams County
- Average Commute Time: 19.9 minutes
--- 8.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 25.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (72.7%), carpooled (17.8%), walked to work (2.3%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (5.9%)
#30. Douglas County
- Average Commute Time: 20 minutes
--- 8.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 56.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.3%), carpooled (5.3%), walked to work (1.9%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (4.9%)
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#29. Clallam County
- Average Commute Time: 21 minutes
--- 7.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 5.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.9%), carpooled (10.2%), walked to work (3.7%), public transportation (1.0%), worked from home (8.3%)
#28. Columbia County
- Average Commute Time: 21 minutes
--- 7.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 26.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (71.0%), carpooled (11.4%), walked to work (8.6%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (5.1%)
#27. Kittitas County
- Average Commute Time: 21.3 minutes
--- 6.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.7%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 17.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.1%), carpooled (6.6%), walked to work (9.5%), public transportation (1.4%), worked from home (6.5%)
#26. Benton County
- Average Commute Time: 21.7 minutes
--- 6.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 20.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.8%), carpooled (9.6%), walked to work (1.1%), public transportation (0.8%), worked from home (6.6%)
#25. Klickitat County
- Average Commute Time: 21.9 minutes
--- 6.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 3.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (66.3%), carpooled (8.2%), walked to work (7.2%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (15.2%)
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#24. Spokane County
- Average Commute Time: 22 minutes
--- 6.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 3.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 14.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 1.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (75.8%), carpooled (9.5%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (2.5%), worked from home (8.1%)

#23. Whatcom County
- Average Commute Time: 22.2 minutes
--- 5.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.3%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 7.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (75.6%), carpooled (8.2%), walked to work (3.7%), public transportation (2.4%), worked from home (7.0%)
#22. Franklin County
- Average Commute Time: 22.2 minutes
--- 5.8 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 47.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.7%), carpooled (16.1%), walked to work (0.7%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (4.9%)
#21. Pacific County
- Average Commute Time: 22.3 minutes
--- 5.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 12.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.2%), carpooled (10.5%), walked to work (5.2%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (9.7%)
#20. Garfield County
- Average Commute Time: 23.3 minutes
--- 4.7 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 24.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (71.0%), carpooled (11.6%), walked to work (4.9%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (12.2%)
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#19. Jefferson County
- Average Commute Time: 23.9 minutes
--- 4.1 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 18.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.9%), carpooled (6.8%), walked to work (4.9%), public transportation (1.8%), worked from home (12.1%)
#18. Ferry County
- Average Commute Time: 24 minutes
--- 4.0 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 16.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 23.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (61.6%), carpooled (14.2%), walked to work (7.9%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (14.3%)
#17. Lincoln County
- Average Commute Time: 24.7 minutes
--- 3.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 30.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (69.1%), carpooled (7.9%), walked to work (6.5%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (13.9%)
#16. Cowlitz County
- Average Commute Time: 25.7 minutes
--- 2.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 15.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.7%), carpooled (9.3%), walked to work (2.1%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (4.5%)

#15. Skagit County
- Average Commute Time: 26.1 minutes
--- 1.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 21.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.0%), carpooled (10.3%), walked to work (2.5%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (8.2%)
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#14. Thurston County
- Average Commute Time: 26.8 minutes
--- 1.2 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.5%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 26.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.1%), carpooled (9.2%), walked to work (1.9%), public transportation (1.8%), worked from home (8.0%)
#13. Grays Harbor County
- Average Commute Time: 27.1 minutes
--- 0.9 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 17.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.0%), carpooled (9.6%), walked to work (3.1%), public transportation (1.0%), worked from home (7.0%)
#12. Clark County
- Average Commute Time: 27.4 minutes
--- 0.6 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 3.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.8%), carpooled (8.7%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (2.0%), worked from home (9.5%)
#11. Island County
- Average Commute Time: 27.7 minutes
--- 0.3 minutes shorter than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 30.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (71.7%), carpooled (11.7%), walked to work (3.7%), public transportation (2.0%), worked from home (8.7%)
#10. Lewis County
- Average Commute Time: 28.2 minutes
--- 0.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 27.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.7%), carpooled (11.0%), walked to work (4.1%), public transportation (1.1%), worked from home (5.2%)
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#9. Skamania County
- Average Commute Time: 29.4 minutes
--- 1.4 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 28.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.6%), carpooled (5.6%), walked to work (3.3%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (9.1%)

#8. King County
- Average Commute Time: 29.8 minutes
--- 1.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.0%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 6.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (58.3%), carpooled (9.3%), walked to work (5.3%), public transportation (12.5%), worked from home (11.9%)
#7. Stevens County
- Average Commute Time: 29.8 minutes
--- 1.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.4%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.2%), carpooled (7.9%), walked to work (2.8%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (6.2%)
#6. Kitsap County
- Average Commute Time: 30 minutes
--- 2.0 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.2%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 17.0%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (68.1%), carpooled (7.7%), walked to work (5.5%), public transportation (8.3%), worked from home (8.1%)
#5. Snohomish County
- Average Commute Time: 32.5 minutes
--- 4.5 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.4%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (72.4%), carpooled (10.7%), walked to work (1.9%), public transportation (4.9%), worked from home (8.6%)
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#4. Pierce County
- Average Commute Time: 33 minutes
--- 5.0 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 15.6%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 24.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 29.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.0%), carpooled (10.4%), walked to work (2.1%), public transportation (3.7%), worked from home (6.4%)
#3. Pend Oreille County
- Average Commute Time: 34 minutes
--- 6.0 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 24.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 27.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 26.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.5%), carpooled (11.0%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (9.0%)
#2. Mason County
- Average Commute Time: 35.2 minutes
--- 7.2 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 17.1%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 49.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (75.5%), carpooled (13.8%), walked to work (1.6%), public transportation (1.4%), worked from home (6.1%)
#1. Wahkiakum County
- Average Commute Time: 40.8 minutes
--- 12.8 minutes longer than state average - Workers with 60+ minute commute: 22.9%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 27.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 38.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74.7%), carpooled (8.1%), walked to work (6.3%), public transportation (0.8%), worked from home (8.6%)