According to 2021 estimates from the U.S. Census, the following factors increase commute times:
Sex: While males and females make up half the population each, men account for 57 percent of all aggregated travel time to work, while women account for 43 percent of the time.
Time of departure: Those who leave between 7 a.m. and 7:29 a.m. spend the most time commuting per year, followed by those who leave from 6 a.m. to 6:29 a.m. and those who leave between 8 a.m. to 8:29 a.m.
Where you live: Your city and state can increase your commute times. For example, the state of New York has the longest average commute time of 31 minutes, while South Dakota has just a 17-minute commute on average. Additionally, particular cities like New York City have longer commutes than cities like Rochester, even though they’re in the same state.
Mode of transportation: Certain modes of transportation tend to be quicker than others. Driving, for example, is typically faster than taking a train, depending on your location.
Percentage of remote workers: The more remote workers in your city, especially a city that depends heavily on motor vehicle transportation, the faster your commute will be.