The number of American workers working from home – particularly those in white collar jobs – skyrocketed during the pandemic. The shift has proved to be a positive development in some ways. A recent Gallup study found that over 90% of remote workers hope that the trend continues after the pandemic, citing the lack of commute time as the chief benefit.Â
Still, for a large share of the workforce, remote work is not an option. Gallup reports that 55% full-time employees in the United States do not work remotely – and commute time still makes up a significant portion of their day. (Here is a look at the state where the most people are working from home.)
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average commute time in the United States is 26.9 minutes. For those who travel to and from work every Monday through Friday, this translates to about 4.5 hours per week, or nearly 10 days a year.
Of course, commute times vary from person to person, but in some parts of the country, workers who are still commuting tend to have far less travel time than others. Using census data, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 U.S. towns with the shortest commutes.Â
In every town on this list, average commute times are 10 minutes or less. This adds up to less than two hours per week, and less than four days per year.Â
Most of the towns on this list are in the West, including nine in Alaska alone. In every town on this list, the share of commuters using public transit is below the 4.6% national average. In most cases, public transportation is less direct than simply driving from door to door, adding to overall commute time. Here is a look at the cities where people lose the most time driving each year.Â
Click here to see the towns with the shortest commutes
Click here to see our detailed methodology
Source: lucentius / Getty Images
50. Glasgow, Montana
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 10.0
> Share of commuters driving alone: 73.8% — 1,839th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 14.6% — 906th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.3% — 3,870th lowest of 8,238 towns
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
49. Milan, Missouri
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 10.0
> Share of commuters driving alone: 50.7% — 118th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 44.5% — 2nd highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.1% — 3,392nd lowest of 8,238 towns
48. Fort Drum, New York
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.9
> Share of commuters driving alone: 57.3% — 241st lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 7.0% — 3,067th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
47. Whiteman AFB, Missouri
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.9
> Share of commuters driving alone: 75.0% — 2,166th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 7.9% — 3,821st lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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Source: Bradley Jensen Photography / City of Algona, IA / Facebook
46. Algona, Iowa
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.9
> Share of commuters driving alone: 79.6% — 3,902nd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 9.9% — 2,922nd highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.1% — 3,455th lowest of 8,238 towns
Source: lucentius / iStock via Getty Images
45. Wolf Point, Montana
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.8
> Share of commuters driving alone: 79.3% — 3,747th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.7% — 3,794th highest of 8,238 towns (tied)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.4% — 4,064th lowest of 8,238 towns
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
44. Fort Hood, Texas
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.7
> Share of commuters driving alone: 52.7% — 151st lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 15.4% — 749th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.2% — 3,750th lowest of 8,238 towns
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Source: SeanXu / iStock via Getty Images
43. Cut Bank, Montana
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.7
> Share of commuters driving alone: 73.2% — 1,707th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 14.5% — 930th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
42. Socorro, New Mexico
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.7
> Share of commuters driving alone: 66.8% — 745th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.3% — 4,038th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.1% — 3,366th lowest of 8,238 towns
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Source: Melissa Kopka / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
41. Worland, Wyoming
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.7
> Share of commuters driving alone: 85.0% — 1,961st highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 6.1% — 2,409th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
Source: Eric Broder Van Dyke / iStock via Getty Images
40. Kaunakakai, Hawaii
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.6
> Share of commuters driving alone: 71.2% — 1,323rd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 18.2% — 354th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.3% — 3,961st lowest of 8,238 towns
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Source: julof90 / iStock via Getty Images
39. Cordova, Alaska
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.6
> Share of commuters driving alone: 62.2% — 410th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 14.2% — 1,015th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.5% — 3,846th highest of 8,238 towns
Source: Johnathan Cobb / iStock via Getty Images
38. Mount Shasta, California
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.6
> Share of commuters driving alone: 68.8% — 962nd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 4.7% — 1,392nd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
37. Warren AFB, Wyoming
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.6
> Share of commuters driving alone: 81.0% — 3,770th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 13.2% — 1,314th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.2% — 3,702nd lowest of 8,238 towns
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36. Larned, Kansas
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.5
> Share of commuters driving alone: 88.5% — 737th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 3.7% — 818th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
35. Pensacola Station, Florida
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.5
> Share of commuters driving alone: 15.6% — 4th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 3.1% — 539th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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34. Moab, Utah
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.3
> Share of commuters driving alone: 73.7% — 1,829th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.9% — 3,617th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
Source: marekuliasz / iStock via Getty Images
33. Scottsbluff, Nebraska
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.3
> Share of commuters driving alone: 81.4% — 3,560th highest of 8,238 towns (tied)
> Share of commuters carpooling: 12.1% — 1,743rd highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.4% — 4,109th lowest of 8,238 towns
Source: DepthofField / iStock via Getty Images
32. West Point, New York
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.3
> Share of commuters driving alone: 33.7% — 33rd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 6.5% — 2,642nd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.3% — 3,920th lowest of 8,238 towns
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
31. North Fort Lewis, Washington
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.2
> Share of commuters driving alone: 57.1% — 233rd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 9.0% — 3,548th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
30. Goodland, Kansas
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.2
> Share of commuters driving alone: 70.2% — 1,135th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.3% — 4,069th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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29. Alfred, New York
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.2
> Share of commuters driving alone: 18.3% — 6th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 2.5% — 342nd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.8% — 3,270th highest of 8,238 towns
Source: andyKRAKOVSKI / iStock via Getty Images
28. Chamberlain, South Dakota
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.0
> Share of commuters driving alone: 80.9% — 3,838th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 13.5% — 1,210th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
27. Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 9.0
> Share of commuters driving alone: 81.6% — 3,460th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 11.1% — 2,169th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.9% — 3,032nd highest of 8,238 towns
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
26. Sabetha, Kansas
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.9
> Share of commuters driving alone: 86.6% — 1,342nd highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 5.2% — 1,693rd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
Source: Jim Williams / iStock via Getty Images
25. Bethel, Alaska
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.9
> Share of commuters driving alone: 42.6% — 57th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 21.1% — 172nd highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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24. Fort Riley, Kansas
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.8
> Share of commuters driving alone: 65.4% — 617th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 11.1% — 2,162nd highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.4% — 4,022nd highest of 8,238 towns
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
23. Cannon AFB, New Mexico
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.8
> Share of commuters driving alone: 65.0% — 588th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 15.2% — 787th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr
22. Mountain Home AFB, Idaho
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.8
> Share of commuters driving alone: 80.9% — 3,810th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.4% — 3,997th highest of 8,238 towns (tied)
> Share of commuters using public transit: 2.3% — 1,837th highest of 8,238 towns
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Source: Sean Hannon / iStock via Getty Images
21. Marfa, Texas
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.7
> Share of commuters driving alone: 47.1% — 87th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.1% — 4,002nd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
20. Holloman AFB, New Mexico
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.7
> Share of commuters driving alone: 68.6% — 932nd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 13.1% — 1,355th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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19. Trowbridge Park, Michigan
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.6
> Share of commuters driving alone: 82.8% — 2,874th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 12.0% — 1,792nd highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.4% — 4,086th lowest of 8,238 towns
Source: earleliason / iStock via Getty Images
18. Petersburg, Alaska
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.6
> Share of commuters driving alone: 53.3% — 160th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 11.6% — 1,946th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.5% — 3,761st highest of 8,238 towns
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
17. Berry College, Georgia
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.4
> Share of commuters driving alone: 28.6% — 23rd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.7% — 3,778th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.7% — 3,485th highest of 8,238 towns
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16. International Falls, Minnesota
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.3
> Share of commuters driving alone: 68.2% — 880th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 11.7% — 1,907th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.5% — 3,850th highest of 8,238 towns
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
15. Beloit, Kansas
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.2
> Share of commuters driving alone: 82.8% — 2,895th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.4% — 3,961st highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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14. Seward, Alaska
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.1
> Share of commuters driving alone: 78.9% — 3,581st lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 4.6% — 1,343rd lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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Source: Bedford at en.wikipedia / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
13. Fort Campbell North, Kentucky
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 8.0
> Share of commuters driving alone: 57.3% — 239th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 7.0% — 3,087th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.5% — 3,747th highest of 8,238 towns
12. Kanab, Utah
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 7.9
> Share of commuters driving alone: 70.6% — 1,200th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.9% — 3,597th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
11. Alliance, Nebraska
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 7.9
> Share of commuters driving alone: 80.7% — 3,908th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 16.5% — 569th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.2% — 3,608th lowest of 8,238 towns
Source: Bentleyphotos / iStock via Getty Images
10. Salmon, Idaho
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 7.8
> Share of commuters driving alone: 76.5% — 2,634th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 13.4% — 1,239th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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9. Fort Irwin, California
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 7.7
> Share of commuters driving alone: 63.7% — 495th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 12.6% — 1,548th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
8. Whidbey Island Station, Washington
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 7.6
> Share of commuters driving alone: 49.9% — 111th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 17.8% — 394th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
Source: Vipersniper / iStock via Getty Images
7. Unalaska, Alaska
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 7.5
> Share of commuters driving alone: 52.6% — 149th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 12.3% — 1,638th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.3% — 3,868th lowest of 8,238 towns
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6. Nome, Alaska
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 6.8
> Share of commuters driving alone: 39.8% — 45th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 17.1% — 476th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.3% — 3,826th lowest of 8,238 towns
Source: reisegraf / Getty Images
5. Prudhoe Bay, Alaska
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 6.8
> Share of commuters driving alone: 11.0% — the lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 9.0% — 3,566th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 1.1% — 2,732nd highest of 8,238 towns
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4. Utqiagvik, Alaska
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 6.5
> Share of commuters driving alone: 38.5% — 41st lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 31.9% — 17th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
3. Kotzebue, Alaska
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 6.3
> Share of commuters driving alone: 27.3% — 19th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 16.5% — 561st highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 1.5% — 2,368th highest of 8,238 towns
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
2. Laughlin AFB, Texas
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 6.2
> Share of commuters driving alone: 79.6% — 3,860th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 2.1% — 228th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.0% reported — the lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
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1. Lakeview, Oregon
> Avg. commute time (minutes): 6.0
> Share of commuters driving alone: 67.8% — 834th lowest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters carpooling: 8.9% — 3,667th highest of 8,238 towns
> Share of commuters using public transit: 0.2% — 3,540th lowest of 8,238 towns (tied)
Methodology
To determine the towns with the shortest commutes, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of average commute times from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey.
Towns were ranked based on their average commute time. To break ties, we used the share of workers with a commute of 15 minutes or less.
We used census “place” geographies — a category that includes incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. We defined towns based on population thresholds — having at least 1,000 people and less than 25,000 people.
Towns were excluded if average commute time estimates were not available in the 2020 ACS, if there were fewer than 1,000 workers 16 years and over who did not work from home, or if the sampling error associated with a town’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a town’s average commute time was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all towns’ average commute times. We similarly excluded towns that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.
Additional information on the share of commuters driving alone, carpooling, and using public transit are also five-year estimates from the 2020 ACS.
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