Counties with the worst commutes in Michigan

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July 17, 2023
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Counties with the worst commutes in Michigan

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鈥攁mong 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.

compiled a list of counties with the worst commutes in Michigan, using 2021 data from the . 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. Muskegon County

- Average commute to work: 22.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 4.3%

#49. Keweenaw County

- Average commute to work: 22.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 57.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.6%
--- Carpooled: 5.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.3%
--- Worked from home: 13.4%

#48. Bay County

- Average commute to work: 22.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.2%
--- Carpooled: 6.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

#47. Montmorency County

- Average commute to work: 22.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 37.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.7%
--- Carpooled: 10%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 3.4%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.4%
--- Worked from home: 6.4%

#46. Eaton County

- Average commute to work: 22.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 48.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.8%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 9.8%

#45. Missaukee County

- Average commute to work: 22.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.4%
--- Carpooled: 11.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 4.7%

#44. Jackson County

- Average commute to work: 23 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 23.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.4%
--- Carpooled: 7.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6.4%

#43. Mecosta County

- Average commute to work: 23.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.1%
--- Carpooled: 9.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 5.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 5.5%

#42. Oceana County

- Average commute to work: 23.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 38.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.8%
--- Carpooled: 13%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 2.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 4.3%

#41. Washtenaw County

- Average commute to work: 23.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 19.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 66.1%
--- Carpooled: 6.5%
--- Public transportation: 4.2%
--- Walked: 6.9%
--- Bicycle: 1.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 14.2%

#40. Midland County

- Average commute to work: 23.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 32.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.7%
--- Carpooled: 7.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 1.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 8.4%

#39. Leelanau County

- Average commute to work: 23.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 41.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.8%
--- Carpooled: 7.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 12%

#38. Allegan County

- Average commute to work: 24 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.1%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 6.7%

#37. Van Buren County

- Average commute to work: 24.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.6%
--- Carpooled: 11.3%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 6.8%

#36. Clinton County

- Average commute to work: 24.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 62.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.2%
--- Carpooled: 5.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 9.9%

#34. Crawford County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 36.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.8%
--- Carpooled: 7.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 2.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.4%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 4.6%

#34. Gratiot County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 24.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 37.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.1%
--- Carpooled: 8.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.6%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 5.9%

#33. Hillsdale County

- Average commute to work: 24.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 29.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.2%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 4.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 7.2%

#32. Cheboygan County

- Average commute to work: 24.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 34.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 7.5%

#31. Cass County

- Average commute to work: 24.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 4.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 22.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.4%
--- Carpooled: 9.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 5%

#30. Benzie County

- Average commute to work: 25 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 3.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 51.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.4%
--- Carpooled: 7.5%
--- Public transportation: 1.1%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 8.2%

#29. Antrim County

- Average commute to work: 25.1 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 74.9%
--- Carpooled: 11.4%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.1%
--- Worked from home: 8.4%

#28. Wayne County

- Average commute to work: 25.2 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 5.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 23.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.2%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 2.5%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.6%
--- Worked from home: 8.6%

#27. Osceola County

- Average commute to work: 25.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 45.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.3%
--- Carpooled: 10.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.9%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 3.9%

#26. Roscommon County

- Average commute to work: 25.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 28.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 71.9%
--- Carpooled: 15.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.5%
--- Walked: 2.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 8.3%

#25. Presque Isle County

- Average commute to work: 26.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 80.1%
--- Carpooled: 8.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 2%
--- Bicycle: 0.6%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.6%
--- Worked from home: 6.2%

#24. Monroe County

- Average commute to work: 26.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 32.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 85%
--- Carpooled: 6.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#23. Oakland County

- Average commute to work: 26.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 26.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 78.9%
--- Carpooled: 6.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 12.2%

#22. Genesee County

- Average commute to work: 26.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 27%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.6%
--- Carpooled: 9.5%
--- Public transportation: 1.3%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

#21. Alger County

- Average commute to work: 26.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 8.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 24.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 73.9%
--- Carpooled: 9.6%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 4.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.8%
--- Worked from home: 9.5%

#20. Ionia County

- Average commute to work: 26.8 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.7%
--- Carpooled: 7%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 2.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 5.7%

#19. Ogemaw County

- Average commute to work: 27 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 27.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.9%
--- Carpooled: 8.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 5.4%

#18. Lenawee County

- Average commute to work: 27.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 29.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.1%
--- Carpooled: 6.8%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 2.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 6%

#17. Macomb County

- Average commute to work: 27.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.1%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 40.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.1%
--- Carpooled: 8.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 1%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 7.3%

#16. Shiawassee County

- Average commute to work: 27.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 49.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.2%
--- Carpooled: 9%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 6.3%

#15. Alcona County

- Average commute to work: 27.7 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.9%
--- Carpooled: 11.4%
--- Public transportation: 0%
--- Walked: 2.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 7.4%

#14. Barry County

- Average commute to work: 28.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 7.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 57.4%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.3%
--- Carpooled: 7.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.6%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 6.2%

#13. Arenac County

- Average commute to work: 28.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 44.8%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 84.3%
--- Carpooled: 6.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.8%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 5.9%

#12. St. Clair County

- Average commute to work: 28.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 36.5%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.2%
--- Carpooled: 9.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.7%
--- Walked: 1.4%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.8%
--- Worked from home: 4.7%

#11. Sanilac County

- Average commute to work: 29 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 13.8%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 35.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 77.1%
--- Carpooled: 10.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 3.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 6.4%

#10. Montcalm County

- Average commute to work: 29.3 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 46.6%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83.4%
--- Carpooled: 9.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.7%
--- Worked from home: 4.7%

#5. Clare County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 43.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76%
--- Carpooled: 11.3%
--- Public transportation: 1.1%
--- Walked: 2.5%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1%
--- Worked from home: 7.8%

#5. Kalkaska County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 10.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 53.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.1%
--- Carpooled: 12%
--- Public transportation: 0.1%
--- Walked: 1.3%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.9%
--- Worked from home: 4.4%

#5. Newaygo County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.6%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 45%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 79.2%
--- Carpooled: 11.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.4%
--- Walked: 1.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.5%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.2%
--- Worked from home: 5.8%

#5. Ontonagon County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.2%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 25.9%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 81.5%
--- Carpooled: 7.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 3.1%
--- Bicycle: 0.3%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 6.9%

#5. Tuscola County (tie)

- Average commute to work: 29.4 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.5%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 49.7%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.9%
--- Carpooled: 10.7%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.2%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 4.3%

#4. Gladwin County

- Average commute to work: 29.9 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.3%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 47%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.2%
--- Carpooled: 8.1%
--- Public transportation: 0.3%
--- Walked: 1.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 2.1%
--- Worked from home: 5.4%

#3. Lake County

- Average commute to work: 30.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 11.9%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 55.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 76.5%
--- Carpooled: 12.9%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 2.7%
--- Bicycle: 0.2%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 1.4%
--- Worked from home: 6.2%

#2. Livingston County

- Average commute to work: 31.6 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 12.4%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 50.3%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 82.4%
--- Carpooled: 6.2%
--- Public transportation: 0.2%
--- Walked: 0.9%
--- Bicycle: 0.1%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.5%
--- Worked from home: 9.8%

#1. Lapeer County

- Average commute to work: 35.5 minutes
- Share with commutes over an hour: 19.7%
- Share that worked outside their county of residence: 55.2%
- Means of transportation to work:
--- Drove alone: 83%
--- Carpooled: 8.5%
--- Public transportation: 0.8%
--- Walked: 1.5%
--- Bicycle: 0%
--- Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means: 0.6%
--- Worked from home: 5.6%

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