Daily Drives: U.S. Commute Trends

Commuting to work by car is part of the daily routine for many Americans. We at the MarketWatch Guides team wanted to shed light on the experience of commuting in the U.S., from average costs to the emotional and physical toll it takes.

Drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) and insights from our December 2023 survey of 1,008 car commuters, we highlight average commute times, the cost of commuting and people’s shifting preferences toward more sustainable options. In this article, we explore Americans’ commuting challenges and the changes they’re considering to improve their commute.

For commuters, the right car insurance is crucial. Explore the best car insurance options to ensure your vehicle is protected as you make your daily drive.

Key Findings

• One in five commuters has been in at least one accident commuting to or from work.
• The cities that have the most car commuters in the U.S. per 1,000 workers are Dothan, Ala., Beaumont, Texas, and Sioux City, Iowa.
• The cities that have the longest average commute times in the U.S. are Palmdale, Calif., Tracy, Calif., and Waldorf, Md. 
• The cities that have the shortest average commute times in the U.S. are Champaign, Ill., Cheyenne, Wyo., and Jacksonville, N.C.

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Number of Commuters in the U.S.

America has a wide range of commuting patterns, and these can be influenced by factors such as city planning, public transportation systems and local commuting cultures. According to the 2022 U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS, car commuting was notably high in Dothan, Ala., Beaumont, Texas, and Sioux City, Iowa. The data shows these locations had the most car commuters per 1,000 workers.

In the top 18 cities, at least 90% of the workers who participated in the 2022 ACS said they use cars to get to work, showing a significant dependence on personal vehicles for most of the workforce in these areas.

The ACS reported that the cities with the fewest car commuters per 1,000 workers were:

• Cambridge, Mass.: 246
• New York City: 264
• Berkeley, Calif.: 300
• Jersey City, N.J.: 316
• Washington, D.C.: 322 

In December 2023, our team conducted a survey of 1,008 car commuters across the U.S. These results showed that the average commute was about 12 miles, with 50% of these drives taking place on primarily residential roads. Commuters also reported an average of six red lights on their trips to work.

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America’s Commute Times

Let’s focus on the cities experiencing the most significant fluctuations in commute times, according to the ACS. We’ll examine cities where the average commute time has increased greatly since 2017, and those where it has notably decreased.

ACS data shows that in 2022, Palmdale, Calif., Tracy, Calif., and Waldorf, Md. had the longest average commute times in the country. Each was over 43 minutes long — nearly twice the national average of 26 minutes. Conversely, Champaign, Ill., Cheyenne, Wyo., and Jacksonville, N.C., had the shortest average commute times at 15 minutes or shorter.

Commuting affects more than just daily schedules — it can also impact car insurance premiums. Insurers charge higher costs on average to those who drive more, due to the higher risk of accidents and vehicle wear. Some cities have seen significant changes in average commute times, which can lead to overall higher premiums for residents in those areas.

These are the cities with the biggest commute time increases since 2017, according to ASC data:

1. Tracy, Calif.: +22.3 minutes
2. Palmdale, Calif.: +21.1 minutes
3. Philadelphia: +17.5 minutes
4. New York City: +16.7 minutes
5. Jersey City, N.J.: +15.8 minutes
6. Joliet, Ill.: +15.5 minutes
7. Waldorf, Md.: +15.4 minutes
8. Poinciana, Fla.: +15 minutes
9. Garland, Texas: +14.6 minutes
10. Atascocita, Texas: +14.6 minutes

These are the cities with the biggest commute time decreases since 2017:

1. Indio, Calif.: -20.7 minutes
2. Merced, Calif.: -19.3 minutes
3. Arden-Arcade, Calif.: -19.1 minutes
4. Jacksonville, N.C.: -18.3 minutes
5. Kennewick, Wash.: -15.9 minutes
6. Lawrence, Mass.: -15.7 minutes
7. Redding, Calif.: -15.7 minutes
8. Torrance, Calif.: -15.6 minutes
9. Corpus Christi, Texas: -15.2 minutes
10. Lake Forest, Calif.: -14.9 minutes

Commuting times can change due to urban sprawl, shifting employment patterns, transportation infrastructure changes and overall population. 

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Surveying Commuters on Commute Stress

Commuting isn’t always as simple as getting from point A to point B. Many Americans work regular hours (Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.) and are on the roads at the same time. This causes traffic congestion, which can lead to a longer commute and may make commuters late for work. This is just one way that commuting can lead to stress. 

In fact, nearly two-thirds (63%) of the commuters in our survey reported feeling stressed due to their commute, and almost three-quarters (72%) experienced annoyance during their daily travels, illuminating the emotional toll commuting takes on Americans.

Commuters who faced over 10 minutes of additional travel time due to traffic reported higher levels of anger, annoyance and stress than those who encountered construction on their route. One in five commuters has been involved in at least one car accident while commuting to or from work, highlighting the potential risks associated with daily travel during high-traffic hours. Some commuters said they frequently encounter car accidents along their routes, with 26% passing an accident weekly and 25% witnessing one monthly. 

We also found a potential generational difference in commute safety: nearly one in four Gen X individuals (those born between 1965 and 1980) have been in a car accident on their way to work — the highest rate among the generations we surveyed.

In addition to posing health and safety risks, commuting can be costly. We determined commuters spend an average of $37.41 in fuel costs each week. On top of fuel costs, vehicle wear and tear costs can add up over time.

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Most Americans Surveyed Want More Fuel-Efficient Cars

While commuters can’t always change their daily travel circumstances, the vehicle they drive is a factor more within their control. Nearly a quarter of commuters (23%) said they’re considering a new car purchase in the next year. What are these consumers looking for in a car, and what else are commuters looking to change this year?

Over half of the American commuters we polled (51%) said they’d like a more fuel-efficient car to improve their commute. Many drivers, commuters and non-commuters alike, seek environmentally friendly cars as sustainable, cost-effective solutions for their daily travel. 

According to our survey results, commuters were open to alternatives to traditional car commuting. Some (22%) contemplated moving closer to their workplace to shorten commute times, while 17% considered public transportation a viable option. Other respondents were open to biking (15%) or walking (14%) to work, reflecting an interest in healthier and more environmentally friendly commuting methods.

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Reimagining the Commute

Our study has taken us through the financial and emotional tolls associated with commuting, from the prevalence of car commuting in certain cities to the challenges commuters face on their daily drives. The growing interest in fuel-efficient vehicles and alternative modes of transport could indicate a shift toward more sustainable commuting practices. America’s commutes are evolving, driven by a desire to lessen costs and reduce environmental impact.

Methodology

We used the 2022 one-year estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS) by the U.S. Census Bureau for city-level commute data. We compared 2022 commute times against 2017 data to calculate change. 

In addition, we surveyed 1,008 car commuters on December 18, 2023. The margin of error for this survey was +/- 3% at a 95% confidence level. Among those respondents, 49% were women, 50% were men and 1% were nonbinary or nonconforming. Additionally, 6% were baby boomers, 27% were Gen X, 55% were millennials and 12% were Gen Z. Survey data is subject to specific constraints associated with self-reporting.