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%