Key facts
- Average commute time in the US reached 27.2 minutes in 2024, nearing pre-pandemic records.
- Traffic congestion has intensified and spread throughout the day due to flexible work schedules.
- The percentage of workers with commutes of an hour or more has risen to 9.3% from 7.7% in 2021.
- Americans are moving further from their offices, increasing average commute distances.
- New home buyers tend to have longer commutes than existing homeowners.
America is experiencing a significant increase in commute times and a spread of traffic congestion throughout the day, a phenomenon attributed to flexible work arrangements adopted post-pandemic. The average one-way commute time has risen to 27.2 minutes in 2024, nearing pre-pandemic highs. This shift means that traditional off-peak hours are no longer less congested, as workers with flexible schedules commute at various times.
Pre-pandemic, the average commute time was already increasing, with a record 9.8% of workers spending an hour or more traveling to work. The pandemic temporarily reduced commute times, but as many employees returned to offices, these times have rebounded. The share of workers driving to work has increased, and ultra-long commutes are making a comeback, with 9.3% of workers now traveling an hour or more each way.
Pandemic migration patterns have contributed to longer commutes, with more Americans living further from their workplaces. Data from Stanford's work-from-home research team indicates a greater share of Americans now reside more than 50 miles from their offices. Additionally, individuals purchasing newly constructed homes, often in ex-urban areas, typically face longer commutes. Alex Thomas of John Burns Research and Consulting notes that these homebuyers, seeking more affordable housing further from urban centers, often commute 10-15% longer than typical homeowners.