• In a recent Keller executive search, New York ranked first for the longest average work commute time at 32.4 minutes between 2021 and 2023.
• The three states with the longest commutes were New York, Maryland, and New Jersey, all averaging over 30 minutes for a one-way trip.
• South Dakota had the shortest average work commute in the U.S. at 18 minutes.
• The study attributes commute time disparities to factors like infrastructure, population density, and urban planning.

A study conducted by global executive search firm Keller analyzed U.S. Census data to determine the states with the longest and shortest average work commute times between 2021 and 2023. The research ranked states based on the mean one-way travel time to work, highlighting significant regional variation across the country.

The data reveals that New York has the longest average work commute in the nation, with workers spending an average of 32.4 minutes traveling to work during the study period. New York’s commute times slightly increased each year, from 31.4 minutes in 2021 to 32.8 minutes in 2023. Maryland and New Jersey followed closely, ranking second and third, respectively. Maryland workers faced an average commute of 30.5 minutes, while New Jersey residents averaged 30.1 minutes.

Conversely, states in the Midwest and Mountain West reported the shortest commutes. South Dakota had the lowest average at just 18 minutes, making the time difference between the longest and shortest commutes substantial. Other states with long commutes that made the top ten list include Massachusetts (4th, 28.67 minutes), California (5th, 28.37 minutes), and Georgia (6th, 28.0 minutes).

A spokesperson for the firm suggested that this clear disparity in travel times is a reflection of local infrastructure, varying population densities, and regional urban planning strategies. The Keller study’s findings are intended to be a resource for employees, employers, and policymakers when evaluating decisions related to where people live and work.