1. Poinciana, Florida
If your commute feels like a second job, Poinciana is often cited as the most extreme example in the country. The average one-way commute here is just over 50 minutes, meaning many residents spend close to two hours a day traveling. The town sits far from major employment hubs like Orlando, and nearly everyone relies on driving. Congested highways and limited transit options make that distance feel even longer.
This commute shapes daily life in very real ways. Many residents leave home before sunrise to avoid the worst traffic and return well into the evening. Family time, errands, and even sleep schedules are built around traffic patterns. In Poinciana, the road doesn’t just connect work and home — it dominates the day.
2. Brentwood, California
Brentwood, located in the eastern edge of the San Francisco Bay Area, consistently ranks near the top for long commutes. The average one-way commute is roughly 46 minutes, driven by long distances to job centers like Oakland, San Jose, and San Francisco. Highway 4 is the main artery, and it becomes severely congested during peak hours. Public transit options are limited, pushing most residents into cars.
The result is a daily grind that quietly eats away at personal time. Many commuters plan their mornings and evenings around traffic forecasts rather than the clock. Some residents even adjust work hours or careers to cope with the drive. Brentwood shows how housing affordability can come at the cost of time.
3. Temescal Valley, California
Temescal Valley sits in Southern California’s Inland Empire, a region known for long-distance commuting. Average one-way commute times approach 47 minutes, with a large share of workers traveling even longer. Most residents drive to job centers in Riverside, Orange County, or Los Angeles. Freeways like I-15 and I-215 are frequent choke points.
Living here often means trading a shorter mortgage for a longer drive. Gas costs, vehicle wear, and stress pile up quickly. Even small traffic incidents can add significant time to an already long commute. For many residents, the car becomes the place where a big chunk of the day is spent.
4. Antioch, California
Antioch, another Bay Area exurb, also posts average one-way commute times of around 45 to 46 minutes. The city has grown rapidly, but job growth hasn’t kept pace locally. Many residents commute west toward Oakland, San Francisco, or the Peninsula. Highway 4 traffic is a daily obstacle.
That long drive influences everything from childcare arrangements to social plans. Weekdays often revolve around avoiding peak traffic rather than enjoying free time. The commute becomes a defining feature of life, not just a means to an end. Antioch is a clear example of sprawl stretching the workday.
5. East Orange, New Jersey
East Orange may be close to Manhattan, but proximity doesn’t guarantee a quick trip. Average one-way commute times are around 42 minutes, even with access to rail and bus service. Many residents combine multiple transit modes or face overcrowded trains. Peak-hour delays are common.
That added time can make the workday feel much longer than eight hours. Early departures and late returns are normal for many households. Planning anything after work requires padding in extra travel time. In East Orange, commuting is a daily test of patience.
6. New York, New York
New York City is famous for its transit system, but it’s also known for long commutes. The average one-way commute exceeds 40 minutes, with many residents traveling far longer depending on borough and job location. Dense population, aging infrastructure, and frequent delays all contribute. Even short distances can take a long time.
These commutes shape housing choices and daily routines across the city. People often trade space for proximity, or vice versa. A delayed train can ripple into missed appointments or late pickups. In New York, commuting is woven into the fabric of daily life.
7. Washington, D.C.
The Washington, D.C. metro area consistently posts some of the longest commutes in the country. Average one-way times are over 30 minutes, with many suburban commuters far exceeding that. The Beltway, major bridges, and crowded Metro lines all play a role. Government and contractor jobs are heavily centralized, increasing travel distances.
Commute time is a major factor in where people choose to live. Some accept longer drives in exchange for more affordable housing farther out. Others structure their lives around off-peak travel or remote work days. In D.C., traffic is as much a topic as politics.
8. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s size and layout make long commutes a common experience. The average one-way commute is in the low 30-minute range, but many residents spend much longer depending on route and weather. Expressways clog quickly, and commuter rail lines fill fast during rush hour. Winter conditions can easily add extra time.
The daily commute affects how Chicagoans plan their lives year-round. Bad weather can turn an already long trip into a serious ordeal. Many workers build buffer time into their schedules just in case. In a city this large, travel time is part of the cost of opportunity.
9. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia’s average commute is just over 30 minutes one way, but that number hides wide variation. Many residents travel from outer neighborhoods or suburbs into the city core. Congested highways like I-76 and transit delays add unpredictability. Peak hours stretch well beyond the traditional rush.
These commutes influence how people experience the city. After a long day, the trip home can feel just as draining as the work itself. Some residents adjust work hours to avoid traffic altogether. In Philly, getting there is often half the battle.
10. Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles is synonymous with traffic, and the numbers back it up. Average one-way commutes hover around 30 minutes, but real-world conditions often push trips much longer. The region’s sprawl means jobs and housing are widely separated. Freeways like the 405 and 101 are legendary for delays.
Time spent commuting becomes a lifestyle consideration. Many residents plan their lives around traffic patterns rather than distance. Podcasts and audiobooks become survival tools. In LA, the commute is a daily negotiation with congestion.
11. San Jose, California
San Jose anchors Silicon Valley, where long commutes are common despite high-density employment. Average one-way commute times are in the low to mid-30-minute range, with many workers traveling much farther. Sky-high housing costs push workers into distant suburbs. Limited transit coverage adds to reliance on cars.
That dynamic stretches the workday well beyond office hours. Commute time becomes part of the cost of working in tech. Some workers relocate repeatedly trying to shorten the drive. In San Jose, time on the road is an accepted — if resented — reality.
This post Commute Takes Up Half Your Day in These Towns was first published on American Charm.
