MA Commuters Spend Over 6 Hours on Way to Work Per Year, Says AAA

Email to a friend Permalink

Friday, September 07, 2018

GoLocalWorcester News Team

MA commuters spend over 6 hours on way to work, Says AAA

Massachusetts commuters spend more than six hours on their way to work in the morning, in traffic, on trains or on buses, than they did in 2010.

According to a AAA Northeast analysis of 2010-16 U.S. Census data, the average daily ride to work for Massachusetts commuters, by driving or transit, is one minute and 42 seconds longer than it was at the start of the decade.

“With unemployment at a record low in the Bay State, and more people on the roads and on the rails, commutes are bound to get even longer. We need to invest in improved infrastructure to ensure that Massachusetts residents can get to their jobs safely and efficiently,” says Mary Maguire, Director of Public and Legislative Affairs for AAA Northeast.

The Commute

The average commute now registers 29 minutes one-way, up from 27.3 minutes in 2010. The national average commute stands at just over 26 minutes.

Massachusetts’ average commute time has increased every year this decade.

Overall, Massachusetts has the 5th longest average commute in the country, including the 3rd longest single-occupant vehicle commute.

Norfolk County commuters have the longest rides at 33.4 minutes – a full three minutes longer than in 2010. 16.6% of those rides are more than one hour long—while nationally, only 8.7% of commutes to work exceed the hour mark.

The economic recovery has also boosted commuting time, with more residents traveling to jobs. From 2010-16, Massachusetts has added 97,000 vehicle commuters and 49,000 transit commuters.