# Anxious About Your RTO Commute? Consider Workers in These Regions
By Amanda Kavanagh
As corporations like Amazon gear up for a complete return-to-office (RTO) on January 2nd, 2025, and The Washington Post initiates its own RTO policy, 2025 is poised to be a year dominated by commuting for numerous workers. While the prospect of resuming office life may be intimidating for some, think about employees in specific regions where commuting times are markedly longer than in others.
## The Lengthiest Commutes in the U.S.
A recent examination by [Search Logistics](https://www.searchlogistics.com) of U.S. Census data assessed average commuting durations, the percentage of individuals using public transportation, and demographic information across all 50 states. The results indicate that certain states experience far more challenging commutes than others.
### New York: The Most Extended Commute
New York leads the chart with the longest average commuting time, recorded at 32.8 minutes each way. Although 25.4% of New Yorkers utilize public transport—the highest proportion in the nation—delays and congestion during rush hours exacerbate the lengthy commute times. Moreover, many employees cannot afford to reside in central locations, necessitating long journeys to work in the city.
As noted in a [NYC Planning report](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/planning/download/pdf/planning-level/housing-economy/nyc-ins-and-out-of-commuting.pdf), commuter regions to the north and east of New York City continue to be vital for housing the city’s labor force. However, New Jersey is rapidly emerging as the main source of new inbound commuters, further burdening the area’s transportation systems.
### New Jersey and Maryland: Close Rivals
Following New York, both New Jersey and Maryland share second place, with an average commuting time of 31.4 minutes. These states encounter comparable issues, as numerous workers travel long distances to reach urban hubs like New York City and Washington, D.C.
### Additional States with Long Commutes
Completing the top five are Massachusetts (29.9 minutes), California (29.2 minutes), and Georgia (28.7 minutes). These states, particularly California and Georgia, are recognized for their expansive urban areas and heavy traffic, which lead to prolonged travel durations.
The remainder of the top 10 includes Florida (28.5 minutes), Illinois (28.1 minutes), West Virginia (27.7 minutes), and Virginia (27.5 minutes).
## The Briefest Commutes in the U.S.
Conversely, several states benefit from much shorter commuting times, with the top ten states averaging under 23 minutes.
### South Dakota: The Briefest Commute
South Dakota boasts the shortest average commuting time, with workers taking only 18.4 minutes to travel to work. North Dakota (18.5 minutes) and Nebraska (19.1 minutes) follow closely behind. These states enjoy lower population densities and more rural lifestyles, allowing workers to reside nearer to their employment.
### Additional States with Short Commutes
Wyoming (19.5 minutes) and Alaska (19.8 minutes) also rank among the top five, with affordable housing in urban centers reducing the need for long commutes. Other states featuring short commute durations include Kansas and Iowa (both 20 minutes), Montana (20.2 minutes), Idaho (21.9 minutes), and Wisconsin (22.5 minutes).
## Reasons for Commute Variations
The report attributes the shorter commuting times in states like South Dakota and Wyoming to their diminished population densities and more rural environments. In these areas, workers are more inclined to live in proximity to their jobs, shortening travel times. Additionally, housing in town centers is generally more affordable, further reducing the necessity for lengthy commutes.
In contrast, densely populated states such as New York and California grapple with obstacles like high housing expenses in urban centers, compelling workers to live farther away and deal with extended commuting times. Public transit systems, while extensively used, may also suffer from delays and overcrowding, which can further lengthen travel durations.
## Optimizing Your Commute
Although commuting may seem burdensome, there are methods to enhance the experience and make it more productive. Matthew Woodward from Search Logistics proposes viewing your commute as an opportunity for personal and professional growth.
### Educational Podcasts
Podcasts serve as an excellent means to remain productive during your commute, especially for those who drive. Applications like Pocket Casts and Spotify provide curated selections and offline listening capabilities, facilitating the discovery of new shows and learning opportunities on the move.
### Mindfulness Practice
For individuals seeking to alleviate stress during their commute, mindfulness applications such as Headspace and Calm offer support in maintaining calmness and focus. These apps feature guided meditations and breathing techniques, ideal for relaxing during a prolonged journey.
### To-Do Lists
