Counties with the worst commutes in New Jersey
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April 14, 2021
Famartin // Wikimedia Commons
Counties with the worst commutes in New Jersey
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 New Jersey 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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Jorge Moro // Shutterstock
#21. Cape May County
- Average commute time: 22.8 minutes
--- #1,758 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 29.2% shorter than state average
--- 17.4% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.69%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 8.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 19.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.8%), carpooled (7.4%), walked (4.7%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (4.2%)
--- #1,758 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 29.2% shorter than state average
--- 17.4% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.69%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 8.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 19.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.8%), carpooled (7.4%), walked (4.7%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (4.2%)
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Cumberland County
- Average commute time: 23.6 minutes
--- #1,581 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 26.7% shorter than state average
--- 14.5% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.57%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 15.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 24.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.6%), carpooled (11.7%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (1.6%), worked from home (2.4%)
--- #1,581 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 26.7% shorter than state average
--- 14.5% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.57%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 15.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 24.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.6%), carpooled (11.7%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (1.6%), worked from home (2.4%)
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Bob Jagendorf // Wikicommons
#19. Atlantic County
- Average commute time: 24.9 minutes
--- #1,267 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 22.7% shorter than state average
--- 9.8% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.19%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 17.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.6%), carpooled (7.8%), walked (3.7%), public transportation (5.5%), worked from home (3.2%)
--- #1,267 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 22.7% shorter than state average
--- 9.8% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.19%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 17.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (77.6%), carpooled (7.8%), walked (3.7%), public transportation (5.5%), worked from home (3.2%)
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Smallbones // Wikimedia Commons
#18. Salem County
- Average commute time: 26.4 minutes
--- #974 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 18.0% shorter than state average
--- 4.3% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.02%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 17.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 39.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.6%), carpooled (8.1%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (0.9%), worked from home (3.2%)
--- #974 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 18.0% shorter than state average
--- 4.3% shorter than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.02%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 17.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 39.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.6%), carpooled (8.1%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (0.9%), worked from home (3.2%)
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Sridhar // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Passaic County
- Average commute time: 28.3 minutes
--- #663 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 12.1% shorter than state average
--- 2.5% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.59%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 7.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 46.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (71.5%), carpooled (11.5%), walked (3.7%), public transportation (8.5%), worked from home (3.3%)
--- #663 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 12.1% shorter than state average
--- 2.5% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.59%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 7.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 46.2%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (71.5%), carpooled (11.5%), walked (3.7%), public transportation (8.5%), worked from home (3.3%)
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Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock
#16. Mercer County
- Average commute time: 28.3 minutes
--- #663 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 12.1% shorter than state average
--- 2.5% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.30%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 8.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 23.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.7%), carpooled (10.9%), walked (4.3%), public transportation (7.6%), worked from home (5.1%)
--- #663 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 12.1% shorter than state average
--- 2.5% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.30%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 8.7%
- Worked outside county of residence: 23.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (70.7%), carpooled (10.9%), walked (4.3%), public transportation (7.6%), worked from home (5.1%)
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Canva
#15. Camden County
- Average commute time: 28.9 minutes
--- #577 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 10.2% shorter than state average
--- 4.7% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.42%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 11.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 30.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.5%), carpooled (9.3%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (7.2%), worked from home (3.7%)
--- #577 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 10.2% shorter than state average
--- 4.7% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.42%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 11.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 30.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.5%), carpooled (9.3%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (7.2%), worked from home (3.7%)
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Apc106 // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Burlington County
- Average commute time: 30 minutes
--- #445 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 6.8% shorter than state average
--- 8.7% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.72%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.7%), carpooled (7.4%), walked (1.1%), public transportation (3.4%), worked from home (4.3%)
--- #445 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 6.8% shorter than state average
--- 8.7% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.72%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.8%
- Worked outside county of residence: 31.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.7%), carpooled (7.4%), walked (1.1%), public transportation (3.4%), worked from home (4.3%)
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Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Gloucester County
- Average commute time: 30.7 minutes
--- #371 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 4.7% shorter than state average
--- 11.2% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.28%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 13.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 35.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.3%), carpooled (6.9%), walked (1.3%), public transportation (2.4%), worked from home (4%)
--- #371 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 4.7% shorter than state average
--- 11.2% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.28%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 13.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 35.3%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.3%), carpooled (6.9%), walked (1.3%), public transportation (2.4%), worked from home (4%)
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Canva
#12. Ocean County
- Average commute time: 31.2 minutes
--- #327 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 3.1% shorter than state average
--- 13.0% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.95%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 12.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.7%), carpooled (7.3%), walked (1.5%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (5.1%)
--- #327 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 3.1% shorter than state average
--- 13.0% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.95%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 12.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.9%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.7%), carpooled (7.3%), walked (1.5%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (5.1%)
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Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock
#11. Morris County
- Average commute time: 31.5 minutes
--- #298 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 2.2% shorter than state average
--- 14.1% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.77%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 7.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.7%), carpooled (6.5%), walked (1.7%), public transportation (5.5%), worked from home (5.7%)
--- #298 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 2.2% shorter than state average
--- 14.1% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.77%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 7.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.7%), carpooled (6.5%), walked (1.7%), public transportation (5.5%), worked from home (5.7%)
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Canva
#10. Union County
- Average commute time: 31.7 minutes
--- #282 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 1.6% shorter than state average
--- 14.9% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.97%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 12.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 42.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (68.1%), carpooled (8.1%), walked (2.8%), public transportation (12.1%), worked from home (4%)
--- #282 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 1.6% shorter than state average
--- 14.9% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.97%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 12.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 42.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (68.1%), carpooled (8.1%), walked (2.8%), public transportation (12.1%), worked from home (4%)
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Zeete // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Somerset County
- Average commute time: 32.5 minutes
--- #228 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 0.9% longer than state average
--- 17.8% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.10%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 6.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 45.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.5%), carpooled (7.3%), walked (1.9%), public transportation (5.3%), worked from home (6.2%)
--- #228 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 0.9% longer than state average
--- 17.8% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.10%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 6.5%
- Worked outside county of residence: 45.1%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.5%), carpooled (7.3%), walked (1.9%), public transportation (5.3%), worked from home (6.2%)
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Canva
#8. Bergen County
- Average commute time: 33.1 minutes
--- #188 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 2.8% longer than state average
--- 19.9% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.03%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 7.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 21.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (68.4%), carpooled (7.2%), walked (2.6%), public transportation (15.7%), worked from home (4.8%)
--- #188 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 2.8% longer than state average
--- 19.9% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.03%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 7.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 21.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (68.4%), carpooled (7.2%), walked (2.6%), public transportation (15.7%), worked from home (4.8%)
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Zeete // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Middlesex County
- Average commute time: 34.4 minutes
--- #122 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 6.8% longer than state average
--- 24.6% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 7.69%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (72.1%), carpooled (9.4%), walked (2.3%), public transportation (9.9%), worked from home (4.5%)
--- #122 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 6.8% longer than state average
--- 24.6% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 7.69%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.2%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (72.1%), carpooled (9.4%), walked (2.3%), public transportation (9.9%), worked from home (4.5%)
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Mihai_Andritoiu // Shutterstock
#6. Essex County
- Average commute time: 34.9 minutes
--- #106 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 8.4% longer than state average
--- 26.4% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.20%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 11.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (60.7%), carpooled (7.3%), walked (3.9%), public transportation (21.7%), worked from home (4.1%)
--- #106 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 8.4% longer than state average
--- 26.4% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.20%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 11.0%
- Worked outside county of residence: 34.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (60.7%), carpooled (7.3%), walked (3.9%), public transportation (21.7%), worked from home (4.1%)
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Jared Kofsky/PlaceNJ.com // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Hunterdon County
- Average commute time: 35 minutes
--- #101 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 8.7% longer than state average
--- 26.8% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.08%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 45.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.2%), carpooled (6%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (3.1%), worked from home (9%)
--- #101 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 8.7% longer than state average
--- 26.8% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.08%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.3%
- Worked outside county of residence: 45.6%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.2%), carpooled (6%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (3.1%), worked from home (9%)
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LittleGun // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Monmouth County
- Average commute time: 35 minutes
--- #101 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 8.7% longer than state average
--- 26.8% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 9.59%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 26.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (75.1%), carpooled (7.2%), walked (1.6%), public transportation (8.5%), worked from home (5.7%)
--- #101 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 8.7% longer than state average
--- 26.8% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 9.59%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 10.6%
- Worked outside county of residence: 26.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (75.1%), carpooled (7.2%), walked (1.6%), public transportation (8.5%), worked from home (5.7%)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Warren County
- Average commute time: 36 minutes
--- #76 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 11.8% longer than state average
--- 30.4% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.88%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 16.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 49.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.4%), carpooled (8.3%), walked (2.4%), public transportation (1.5%), worked from home (4.8%)
--- #76 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 11.8% longer than state average
--- 30.4% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.88%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 16.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 49.5%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.4%), carpooled (8.3%), walked (2.4%), public transportation (1.5%), worked from home (4.8%)
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f11 photo // Shutterstock
#2. Hudson County
- Average commute time: 36.4 minutes
--- #69 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 13.0% longer than state average
--- 31.9% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.30%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 9.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 23.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (37%), carpooled (7.2%), walked (7.6%), public transportation (42.6%), worked from home (3.3%)
--- #69 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 13.0% longer than state average
--- 31.9% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.30%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 9.1%
- Worked outside county of residence: 23.8%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (37%), carpooled (7.2%), walked (7.6%), public transportation (42.6%), worked from home (3.3%)
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Famartin // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Sussex County
- Average commute time: 37.8 minutes
--- #49 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 17.4% longer than state average
--- 37.0% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 7.18%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 14.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 48.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.6%), carpooled (6.4%), walked (1.1%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (5.5%)
--- #49 longest among all counties nationwide
--- 17.4% longer than state average
--- 37.0% longer than national average
- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 7.18%
- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 14.9%
- Worked outside county of residence: 48.7%
- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.6%), carpooled (6.4%), walked (1.1%), public transportation (1.7%), worked from home (5.5%)
