As American workers increasingly return to traditional office settings, the daily commute is once again a major source of frustration.
This journey between home and work significantly impacts time, finances, and well-being. Smart Asset predicts that some American workers will spend nearly 222 hours each year commuting.
Which U.S. cities have the most challenging commutes, and what makes these commutes so nightmarish?
1. Stockton, California: “Stuck-ton” of Traffic: Where Golden Dreams Meet Gridlock
Located 90 minutes from San Francisco, Stockton is the worst city for commuters in the U.S. The average commute time is 33 minutes, but over 17% of workers endure commutes longer than an hour. Stockton workers experienced a 6.21% increase in commute times between 2016 and 2021.
2. Bakersfield, California: “Bumper-to-Bumper” Blues: The Land of Oil and Overtime on the Road
Bakersfield follows closely behind Stockton, with traffic congestion contributing to lengthy commutes.
Travel times increased by 10.5% between 2016 and 2021, marking the highest five-year change in average travel time in the study. The average commute in Bakersfield is approximately 24 minutes.
3. Garland, Texas: “Garland” of Gridlock: Where Commuting is a Lone Star Struggle
In Garland, 86.1% of workers are commuters, leading to considerable congestion. The average commute time is 30 minutes, and 9.1% of commuters spend over an hour on the road. Commute times in Garland increased by 2.37% between 2016 and 2021.
4. Glendale, Arizona: “Glendale’s” Grinding Gears: An Hour Each Way Under the Desert Sun
About 10% of Glendale workers face commutes longer than an hour, ranking 12th highest in the study. The average commute time in Glendale is just over 28 minutes. If a lengthy commute sounds like a nightmare, Glendale isn’t your place.
5. Orlando, Florida: “Orlando’s” Overflow: Navigating a Tourist Traffic Jam Just to Get to Work
As a major tourist destination, Orlando sees significant traffic. Four-fifths of Orlando workers commute, averaging 26 minutes on the road. Less than 5% of commuters spend more than an hour driving to work. Commuters entering Orlando have a lot of traffic competition.
6. Las Vegas, Nevada: “Lost Wages” on the Road: Betting Against Traffic in Sin City
Nearly 87% of Las Vegas workers drive to their jobs daily. The average commute time is 25.7 minutes, placing it in the top third of the study. Five percent of workers commute for over an hour, with a 0.8% increase from 2016 to 2021.
7. El Paso, Texas: “El Paso’s” Endless Drive: Where the Commute is as Long as Marty Robbins’ Ballad
A staggering 89.9% of El Paso’s workforce commutes to work. Commuters spend 14.13% of their median household income on transportation costs. Commuters are anything but pleased with the lengthy travel times they experience there.
8. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: “Baton Rouge” Backups: A Capital Offense Against Commuters’ Time
Baton Rouge has a high percentage of commuters, with 90.2% of the workforce commuting. The average travel time is just under 23 minutes, but over 6% of workers commute for more than an hour. Baton Rouge commuters spend about 12.24% of their annual income on transportation.
9. Aurora, Colorado: “Aurora’s” Ordeal: Chasing Affordable Housing into Commuter Chaos
Located 17 miles outside Denver, Aurora offers lower housing costs, attracting many residents who commute. The city has the 12th-highest average commute time, at 28.5 minutes. Approximately 6.8% of workers have commutes exceeding an hour. Many enjoy living in Aurora.
10. Winston-Salem, North Carolina: “Winston-Salem’s” Woes: A Tobacco Town Choked by Modern Traffic
About 85% of Winston-Salem workers commute, contributing to significant traffic. Transportation costs residents 12.63% of their income, with an average commute time of 21.6 minutes.
Travel times increased by 6% between 2016 and 2021. Winston-Salem residents spend much of their time in traffic.
Alicia Richards