Counties with the worst commutes in Maine
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April 14, 2021
Magicpiano // Wikimedia Commons
Counties with the worst commutes in Maine
Commuting easily ranks as one of the least enjoyable parts of a person's day. Commuters encounter more physical health problems, and low-income commuters are less likely to gain financial stability—among a host of other negative impacts. And yet, America’s commutes keep getting longer as people move farther away from the office, according to census data.
Stacker compiled a list of counties with the worst commutes in Maine using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by longest average commute time in 2019. Think you have a long trip to work? Read on to compare it against the worst commutes statewide.
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Doug Kerr // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Aroostook County
- Average commute time: 18.1 minutes
--- #2,647 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 25.2% shorter than state average
--- 34.4% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.47%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 20.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 2.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.3%), carpooled (9.5%), walked (4.1%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (4.3%)
--- #2,647 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 25.2% shorter than state average
--- 34.4% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.47%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 20.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 2.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.3%), carpooled (9.5%), walked (4.1%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (4.3%)
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E.J.Johnson Photography // Shutterstock
#15. Knox County
- Average commute time: 18.7 minutes
--- #2,548 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 22.7% shorter than state average
--- 32.2% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.82%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 12.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 11.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.8%), carpooled (10.8%), walked (3.7%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (6.8%)
--- #2,548 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 22.7% shorter than state average
--- 32.2% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.82%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 12.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 11.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.8%), carpooled (10.8%), walked (3.7%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (6.8%)
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P199 // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Washington County
- Average commute time: 21.1 minutes
--- #2,114 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 12.8% shorter than state average
--- 23.6% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.76%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 22.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 6.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74%), carpooled (14%), walked (3.9%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (6.8%)
--- #2,114 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 12.8% shorter than state average
--- 23.6% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.76%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 22.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 6.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (74%), carpooled (14%), walked (3.9%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (6.8%)
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#13. Penobscot County
- Average commute time: 22.4 minutes
--- #1,850 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 7.4% shorter than state average
--- 18.8% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.17%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 15.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 8.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.8%), carpooled (9.9%), walked (3.8%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (4.6%)
--- #1,850 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 7.4% shorter than state average
--- 18.8% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.17%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 15.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 8.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.8%), carpooled (9.9%), walked (3.8%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (4.6%)
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Joseph Sohm // Shutterstock
#12. Cumberland County
- Average commute time: 23.1 minutes
--- #1,691 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 4.5% shorter than state average
--- 16.3% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.53%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 10.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.8%), carpooled (7.5%), walked (5.4%), public transportation (1.3%), worked from home (7.2%)
--- #1,691 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 4.5% shorter than state average
--- 16.3% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.53%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 10.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.8%), carpooled (7.5%), walked (5.4%), public transportation (1.3%), worked from home (7.2%)
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Jameslwoodward // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Sagadahoc County
- Average commute time: 23.3 minutes
--- #1,651 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 3.7% shorter than state average
--- 15.6% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.42%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 16.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 49%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.6%), carpooled (7.2%), walked (4.1%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (6.4%)
--- #1,651 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 3.7% shorter than state average
--- 15.6% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.42%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 16.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 49%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.6%), carpooled (7.2%), walked (4.1%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (6.4%)
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Calvin Beale // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Kennebec County
- Average commute time: 23.6 minutes
--- #1,581 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 2.5% shorter than state average
--- 14.5% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.86%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 16.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 20.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80%), carpooled (10.1%), walked (3.8%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (5.1%)
--- #1,581 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 2.5% shorter than state average
--- 14.5% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.86%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 16.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 20.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80%), carpooled (10.1%), walked (3.8%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (5.1%)
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liz west // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Hancock County
- Average commute time: 23.7 minutes
--- #1,553 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 2.1% shorter than state average
--- 14.1% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.64%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 17.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 13.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.3%), carpooled (12.5%), walked (5.1%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (7.2%)
--- #1,553 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 2.1% shorter than state average
--- 14.1% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.64%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 17.4%
- Worked outside county of residence: 13.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (73.3%), carpooled (12.5%), walked (5.1%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (7.2%)
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Starspiker // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Androscoggin County
- Average commute time: 24.1 minutes
--- #1,472 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 0.4% shorter than state average
--- 12.7% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.81%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 16.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 29.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.3%), carpooled (11.4%), walked (3.6%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (4.4%)
--- #1,472 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 0.4% shorter than state average
--- 12.7% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.81%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 16.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 29.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.3%), carpooled (11.4%), walked (3.6%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (4.4%)
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Bob Pool // Shutterstock
#7. Lincoln County
- Average commute time: 25.8 minutes
--- #1,087 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 6.6% longer than state average
--- 6.5% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.18%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 20.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.9%), carpooled (9.7%), walked (3.4%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (7.4%)
--- #1,087 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 6.6% longer than state average
--- 6.5% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.18%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 20.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 33%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.9%), carpooled (9.7%), walked (3.4%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (7.4%)
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Jon Platek // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Franklin County
- Average commute time: 25.9 minutes
--- #1,062 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 7.0% longer than state average
--- 6.2% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.72%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 21.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 24.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.4%), carpooled (10.2%), walked (6.1%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (6.4%)
--- #1,062 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 7.0% longer than state average
--- 6.2% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.72%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 21.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 24.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.4%), carpooled (10.2%), walked (6.1%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (6.4%)
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Magicpiano // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Piscataquis County
- Average commute time: 26.2 minutes
--- #1,012 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 8.3% longer than state average
--- 5.1% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.06%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 24.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 27.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.1%), carpooled (9.4%), walked (3.6%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (6.6%)
--- #1,012 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 8.3% longer than state average
--- 5.1% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.06%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 24.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 27.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.1%), carpooled (9.4%), walked (3.6%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (6.6%)
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Halpaugh // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Somerset County
- Average commute time: 26.5 minutes
--- #954 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 9.5% longer than state average
--- 4.0% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.87%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 25.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 37.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.6%), carpooled (9.5%), walked (2.4%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (5.7%)
--- #954 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 9.5% longer than state average
--- 4.0% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.87%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 25.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 37.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.6%), carpooled (9.5%), walked (2.4%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (5.7%)
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Bruce C. Cooper // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Waldo County
- Average commute time: 27.4 minutes
--- #805 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 13.2% longer than state average
--- 0.7% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.54%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 17.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 36.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.6%), carpooled (10.3%), walked (3.6%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (7.7%)
--- #805 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 13.2% longer than state average
--- 0.7% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.54%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 17.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 36.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.6%), carpooled (10.3%), walked (3.6%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (7.7%)
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Michael Murphy // Wikimedia Commons
#2. York County
- Average commute time: 27.9 minutes
--- #724 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 15.3% longer than state average
--- 1.1% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.99%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 15.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 23.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.2%), carpooled (8.7%), walked (2.3%), public transportation (0.9%), worked from home (5.7%)
--- #724 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 15.3% longer than state average
--- 1.1% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.99%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 15.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 23.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.2%), carpooled (8.7%), walked (2.3%), public transportation (0.9%), worked from home (5.7%)
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Magicpiano // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Oxford County
- Average commute time: 28.2 minutes
--- #675 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 16.5% longer than state average
--- 2.2% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.18%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 22.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.7%), carpooled (9.5%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (4.7%)
--- #675 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 16.5% longer than state average
--- 2.2% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.18%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 22.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.7%), carpooled (9.5%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (4.7%)
