BALTIMORE, MD—If you feel like you’re spending an awful lot of time in traffic, you’re right.
A new study shows that Maryland has the second-longest commute times in the U.S.
The study by True Self Recovery highlights the average commute time for workers in Maryland, revealing that they spend an average of 31.50 minutes traveling to work each week. The average commute time for U.S. workers is 26.60 minutes.
Maryland ranks number two among all states for commute duration and its commute times are 18.42% higher compared to the national average.
| Rank | State | AVG Length of Commute time (in minutes) | % Comparison to US Total |
| 1 | New York | 32.80 | 23.31% higher |
| 2 | Maryland | 31.50 | 18.42% higher |
| 3 | New Jersey | 30.90 | 16.17% higher |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 29.30 | 10.15% higher |
| 5 | California | 29.00 | 9.02% higher |
| 6 | Georgia | 28.30 | 6.39% higher |
| 7 | Illinois | 28.10 | 5.64% higher |
| 8 | Florida | 28.00 | 5.26% higher |
| 9 | Virginia | 27.60 | 3.76% higher |
| 10 | Washington | 27.00 | 1.50% higher |
“Commute time is far more than just a logistical consideration — it’s a critical quality-of-life factor that directly impacts physical health, mental well-being, and work-life balance,” said Will Burse, CEO of True Self Recovery. “Long hours spent in transit can lead to increased stress, reduced sleep, and limited time for personal pursuits, ultimately affecting overall productivity and life satisfaction.”
“For many workers, commuting represents ‘dead time’ — valuable hours that could otherwise be spent nurturing family connections, engaging in physical activities, resting, or pursuing hobbies,” Burse added. “Minimizing commute times or finding ways to make them more fulfilling can significantly enhance one’s overall quality of life.”
The methodology for ranking states based on commute time utilized data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS), which collects self-reported information on commuting duration. The average length of commute for each state was extracted and compared against the national average to determine the percentage difference.
Photo via Pixabay
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