Public Domain

Counties with the worst commutes in Alabama

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 Alabama using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by longest average commute time according to 2020 5-year estimates.

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#50. Calhoun County

– Average Commute Time: 24.3 minutes
— 0.9 minutes shorter than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.2%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.9%
– Worked outside county of residence: 21.5%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (84.6%), carpooled (10.4%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (2.5%)

DXR // Wikimedia Commons

#49. Dallas County

– Average Commute Time: 24.5 minutes
— 0.7 minutes shorter than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.5%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 25.4%
– Worked outside county of residence: 20.9%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (88.8%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (1.1%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (1.8%)

Canva

#48. Marshall County

– Average Commute Time: 24.6 minutes
— 0.6 minutes shorter than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.9%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.0%
– Worked outside county of residence: 26.3%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (86.0%), carpooled (9.2%), walked to work (0.7%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (3.2%)

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#47. Covington County

– Average Commute Time: 24.7 minutes
— 0.5 minutes shorter than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.1%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.1%
– Worked outside county of residence: 14.7%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (88.5%), carpooled (7.9%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (1.2%)

Wayne James // Shutterstock

#46. Lauderdale County

– Average Commute Time: 24.7 minutes
— 0.5 minutes shorter than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.1%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.2%
– Worked outside county of residence: 27.9%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.9%), carpooled (8.2%), walked to work (1.0%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (4.1%)

Prestinian // Wikimedia Commons

#45. Etowah County

– Average Commute Time: 25 minutes
— 0.2 minutes shorter than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 8.4%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.3%
– Worked outside county of residence: 26.7%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (88.0%), carpooled (7.6%), walked to work (0.8%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (3.1%)

Canva

#44. DeKalb County

– Average Commute Time: 25.2 minutes
— 0.0 minutes shorter than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.6%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 26.4%
– Worked outside county of residence: 25.1%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (84.0%), carpooled (11.4%), walked to work (1.3%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (2.8%)

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#43. Autauga County

– Average Commute Time: 25.4 minutes
— 0.2 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.1%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 15.7%
– Worked outside county of residence: 64.3%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (86.7%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (0.7%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (3.8%)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#42. Talladega County

– Average Commute Time: 25.4 minutes
— 0.2 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.4%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 25.9%
– Worked outside county of residence: 35.2%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (84.0%), carpooled (10.3%), walked to work (1.1%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (2.6%)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#41. Barbour County

– Average Commute Time: 25.5 minutes
— 0.3 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.8%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.1%
– Worked outside county of residence: 21.0%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (84.0%), carpooled (10.7%), walked to work (2.3%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (1.8%)

Altairisfar // Wikicommons

#40. Mobile County

– Average Commute Time: 25.6 minutes
— 0.4 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.5%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.4%
– Worked outside county of residence: 4.0%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.7%), carpooled (6.9%), walked to work (1.0%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (4.9%)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#39. Henry County

– Average Commute Time: 25.8 minutes
— 0.6 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 5.0%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.9%
– Worked outside county of residence: 58.2%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (86.3%), carpooled (7.9%), walked to work (0.2%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (4.2%)

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#38. Butler County

– Average Commute Time: 25.9 minutes
— 0.7 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.1%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.0%
– Worked outside county of residence: 25.1%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (86.4%), carpooled (9.1%), walked to work (0.4%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (2.5%)

Rivers Langley SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#37. Russell County

– Average Commute Time: 26 minutes
— 0.8 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.7%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 13.7%
– Worked outside county of residence: 9.2%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.1%), carpooled (7.5%), walked to work (1.4%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (4.4%)

Jodybwiki // Wikimedia Commons

#36. Baldwin County

– Average Commute Time: 26 minutes
— 0.8 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.5%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.4%
– Worked outside county of residence: 18.0%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (83.0%), carpooled (8.0%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (6.4%)

Myself – Nathon Morris // Wikimedia Commons

#35. Lamar County

– Average Commute Time: 26 minutes
— 0.8 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.9%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.4%
– Worked outside county of residence: 29.9%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (90.4%), carpooled (6.2%), walked to work (0.0%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (2.7%)

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#34. Cullman County

– Average Commute Time: 26 minutes
— 0.8 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.0%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.5%
– Worked outside county of residence: 26.5%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (87.1%), carpooled (10.0%), walked to work (0.8%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (1.9%)

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#33. Elmore County

– Average Commute Time: 26.4 minutes
— 1.2 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 4.9%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 17.5%
– Worked outside county of residence: 62.6%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (86.3%), carpooled (7.4%), walked to work (1.7%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (3.7%)

Canva

#32. Marengo County

– Average Commute Time: 26.4 minutes
— 1.2 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.3%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 26.5%
– Worked outside county of residence: 32.5%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.7%), carpooled (6.7%), walked to work (1.0%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (5.2%)

JNix // Shutterstock

#31. Clay County

– Average Commute Time: 26.6 minutes
— 1.4 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.4%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 34.2%
– Worked outside county of residence: 32.5%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (89.4%), carpooled (4.7%), walked to work (0.7%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (4.6%)

Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#30. Limestone County

– Average Commute Time: 26.8 minutes
— 1.6 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.2%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.3%
– Worked outside county of residence: 51.7%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (88.6%), carpooled (6.8%), walked to work (0.4%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (3.5%)

Springfieldohio // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Jackson County

– Average Commute Time: 26.8 minutes
— 1.6 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.2%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 32.5%
– Worked outside county of residence: 21.8%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (86.1%), carpooled (8.6%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (2.7%)

Canva

#28. Perry County

– Average Commute Time: 27.7 minutes
— 2.5 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.0%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 26.6%
– Worked outside county of residence: 45.6%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (79.7%), carpooled (13.0%), walked to work (3.9%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (2.9%)

Wmr36104 // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Geneva County

– Average Commute Time: 27.8 minutes
— 2.6 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.6%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.0%
– Worked outside county of residence: 50.7%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.7%), carpooled (9.9%), walked to work (0.8%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (2.2%)

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Coosa County

– Average Commute Time: 28 minutes
— 2.8 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.7%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 32.7%
– Worked outside county of residence: 76.5%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (79.4%), carpooled (12.3%), walked to work (1.5%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (6.6%)

Canva

#25. Wilcox County

– Average Commute Time: 28.1 minutes
— 2.9 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.7%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 26.2%
– Worked outside county of residence: 39.2%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (87.4%), carpooled (9.6%), walked to work (0.5%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (1.6%)

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#24. Tallapoosa County

– Average Commute Time: 28.2 minutes
— 3.0 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 11.7%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.1%
– Worked outside county of residence: 37.2%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (84.5%), carpooled (10.7%), walked to work (0.9%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (2.8%)

Canva

#23. Walker County

– Average Commute Time: 28.4 minutes
— 3.2 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.1%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.7%
– Worked outside county of residence: 33.9%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (83.7%), carpooled (10.6%), walked to work (0.9%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (3.4%)

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#22. Franklin County

– Average Commute Time: 28.7 minutes
— 3.5 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.6%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 18.2%
– Worked outside county of residence: 31.3%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (83.1%), carpooled (15.0%), walked to work (0.7%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (0.7%)

Canva

#21. Lawrence County

– Average Commute Time: 28.8 minutes
— 3.6 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 6.3%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 23.9%
– Worked outside county of residence: 69.0%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (88.9%), carpooled (7.8%), walked to work (0.7%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (2.2%)

Altairisfar // Wikimedia Commons

#20. Clarke County

– Average Commute Time: 28.8 minutes
— 3.6 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.4%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 35.1%
– Worked outside county of residence: 27.9%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (89.4%), carpooled (7.1%), walked to work (0.3%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (2.2%)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#19. Shelby County

– Average Commute Time: 29.6 minutes
— 4.4 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 9.4%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 12.7%
– Worked outside county of residence: 46.2%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (83.9%), carpooled (6.7%), walked to work (0.7%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (8.2%)

Chris Pruitt // Wikimedia Commons

#18. Conecuh County

– Average Commute Time: 29.6 minutes
— 4.4 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.7%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.8%
– Worked outside county of residence: 43.9%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (88.0%), carpooled (8.5%), walked to work (0.5%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (0.5%)

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Cherokee County

– Average Commute Time: 29.8 minutes
— 4.6 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.2%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 29.7%
– Worked outside county of residence: 27.0%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (86.0%), carpooled (9.8%), walked to work (0.5%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (2.1%)

Rivers A. Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#16. Randolph County

– Average Commute Time: 29.9 minutes
— 4.7 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.5%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 25.8%
– Worked outside county of residence: 17.8%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (87.1%), carpooled (7.2%), walked to work (0.4%), public transportation (1.4%), worked from home (3.2%)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#15. Crenshaw County

– Average Commute Time: 30 minutes
— 4.8 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 16.0%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.3%
– Worked outside county of residence: 43.6%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (78.4%), carpooled (11.7%), walked to work (2.7%), public transportation (0.8%), worked from home (6.0%)

Canva

#14. Bibb County

– Average Commute Time: 30.3 minutes
— 5.1 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.4%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 25.3%
– Worked outside county of residence: 66.4%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (87.7%), carpooled (8.2%), walked to work (0.3%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (3.6%)

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#13. St. Clair County

– Average Commute Time: 30.4 minutes
— 5.2 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 7.2%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 19.2%
– Worked outside county of residence: 59.4%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (87.5%), carpooled (7.9%), walked to work (0.5%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (3.4%)

Altairisfar // Wikimedia Commons

#12. Lowndes County

– Average Commute Time: 30.5 minutes
— 5.3 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 10.1%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 32.9%
– Worked outside county of residence: 67.8%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.8%), carpooled (9.6%), walked to work (1.4%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (0.9%)

Canva

#11. Bullock County

– Average Commute Time: 30.7 minutes
— 5.5 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 12.7%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 20.5%
– Worked outside county of residence: 45.9%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (80.5%), carpooled (13.2%), walked to work (5.4%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (1.0%)

Canva

#10. Fayette County

– Average Commute Time: 30.7 minutes
— 5.5 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.7%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 24.8%
– Worked outside county of residence: 48.6%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (82.5%), carpooled (11.9%), walked to work (1.7%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (3.3%)

Canva

#9. Winston County

– Average Commute Time: 31.2 minutes
— 6.0 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.7%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 26.3%
– Worked outside county of residence: 43.6%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (76.0%), carpooled (16.8%), walked to work (0.7%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (5.1%)

Canva

#8. Chilton County

– Average Commute Time: 31.5 minutes
— 6.3 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.8%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 30.3%
– Worked outside county of residence: 53.1%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.5%), carpooled (10.5%), walked to work (0.3%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (2.6%)

Carol M. Highsmith // Wikimedia Commons

#7. Hale County

– Average Commute Time: 32.7 minutes
— 7.5 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 14.0%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 25.5%
– Worked outside county of residence: 62.3%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (91.0%), carpooled (6.1%), walked to work (0.3%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (2.0%)

Canva

#6. Greene County

– Average Commute Time: 33.5 minutes
— 8.3 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 24.9%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 22.0%
– Worked outside county of residence: 52.6%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (73.1%), carpooled (22.2%), walked to work (0.7%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (3.8%)

Rivers Langley; SaveRivers // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Cleburne County

– Average Commute Time: 33.7 minutes
— 8.5 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 13.0%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 33.2%
– Worked outside county of residence: 29.9%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (86.2%), carpooled (9.8%), walked to work (0.6%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (3.3%)

Idawriter // Wikimedia Commons

#4. Washington County

– Average Commute Time: 33.8 minutes
— 8.6 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 17.1%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 34.6%
– Worked outside county of residence: 37.5%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (87.4%), carpooled (6.6%), walked to work (0.3%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (3.9%)

Rudi Weikard // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Blount County

– Average Commute Time: 34.5 minutes
— 9.3 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 18.6%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 21.7%
– Worked outside county of residence: 65.8%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (88.3%), carpooled (8.5%), walked to work (0.5%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (2.0%)

RuralSWAlabama (Billy Milstead) // Wikimedia Commons

#2. Choctaw County

– Average Commute Time: 35.4 minutes
— 10.2 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 21.2%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 31.5%
– Worked outside county of residence: 14.3%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.6%), carpooled (10.2%), walked to work (1.2%), public transportation (0.0%), worked from home (2.0%)

Public Domain

#1. Pickens County

– Average Commute Time: 35.9 minutes
— 10.7 minutes longer than state average
– Workers with 60+ minute commute: 17.1%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. 27.8%
– Worked outside county of residence: 40.8%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (84.0%), carpooled (7.4%), walked to work (1.7%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (6.5%)