Counties with the worst commutes in Illinois

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 Illinois using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Counties are ranked by longest average commute time in 2019. Think you have a long trip to work? Read on to compare it against the worst commutes statewide.

#30. DeKalb County

- Average commute time: 26 minutes

--- #1,044 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 11.0% shorter than state average

--- 5.8% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.03%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 17.4%

- Worked outside county of residence: 38%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (80.8%), carpooled (8.1%), walked (3.7%), public transportation (1.3%), worked from home (4.5%)

#29. Stark County

- Average commute time: 26.1 minutes

--- #1,031 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 10.6% shorter than state average

--- 5.4% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.18%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 20.5%

- Worked outside county of residence: 56.4%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.7%), carpooled (6.5%), walked (2.1%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (6.4%)

#28. Hamilton County

- Average commute time: 26.1 minutes

--- #1,031 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 10.6% shorter than state average

--- 5.4% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.61%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 15.0%

- Worked outside county of residence: 44.2%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (77%), carpooled (9.6%), walked (2.9%), public transportation (1.5%), worked from home (8.4%)

#27. Mason County

- Average commute time: 26.3 minutes

--- #992 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 9.9% shorter than state average

--- 4.7% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.32%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 21.5%

- Worked outside county of residence: 48.9%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.3%), carpooled (12.2%), walked (2.9%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (4.1%)

#26. Pike County

- Average commute time: 26.3 minutes

--- #992 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 9.9% shorter than state average

--- 4.7% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.03%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 21.4%

- Worked outside county of residence: 23%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (78.2%), carpooled (10.3%), walked (2.9%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (6.9%)

#25. Clinton County

- Average commute time: 26.5 minutes

--- #954 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 9.2% shorter than state average

--- 4.0% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.64%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 19.5%

- Worked outside county of residence: 44.6%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.4%), carpooled (9%), walked (1.7%), public transportation (1.1%), worked from home (2.9%)

#24. Henderson County

- Average commute time: 26.6 minutes

--- #934 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 8.9% shorter than state average

--- 3.6% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.65%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 24.6%

- Worked outside county of residence: 19.4%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.7%), carpooled (6.3%), walked (1.5%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (7.2%)

#23. Mercer County

- Average commute time: 26.8 minutes

--- #903 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 8.2% shorter than state average

--- 2.9% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.46%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 22.1%

- Worked outside county of residence: 36.1%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (88.3%), carpooled (5.5%), walked (0.8%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (4.1%)

#22. Pulaski County

- Average commute time: 26.9 minutes

--- #886 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 7.9% shorter than state average

--- 2.5% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.12%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 11.1%

- Worked outside county of residence: 42.1%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.5%), carpooled (6.8%), walked (2.6%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (5%)

#21. Menard County

- Average commute time: 27.1 minutes

--- #846 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 7.2% shorter than state average

--- 1.8% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.79%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 14.2%

- Worked outside county of residence: 67.8%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (83%), carpooled (9.7%), walked (1.5%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (4.9%)

#20. Gallatin County

- Average commute time: 27.2 minutes

--- #829 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 6.8% shorter than state average

--- 1.4% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.41%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 23.5%

- Worked outside county of residence: 35.7%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (85.3%), carpooled (10%), walked (0.8%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (2.6%)

#19. Jersey County

- Average commute time: 27.4 minutes

--- #805 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 6.2% shorter than state average

--- 0.7% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.10%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 14.7%

- Worked outside county of residence: 44.2%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (86.2%), carpooled (6.3%), walked (3.7%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (3%)

#18. Marshall County

- Average commute time: 27.6 minutes

--- #782 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 5.5% shorter than state average

--- 0.0% shorter than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.29%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 20.8%

- Worked outside county of residence: 57.6%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.6%), carpooled (7.8%), walked (2.8%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (4.5%)

#17. Scott County

- Average commute time: 27.9 minutes

--- #724 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 4.5% shorter than state average

--- 1.1% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.06%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 25.2%

- Worked outside county of residence: 64.9%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.5%), carpooled (9.6%), walked (1.6%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (5.2%)

#16. Macoupin County

- Average commute time: 28 minutes

--- #699 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 4.1% shorter than state average

--- 1.4% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.10%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 19.8%

- Worked outside county of residence: 47.1%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (84.3%), carpooled (7.6%), walked (2%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (5.1%)

#15. Boone County

- Average commute time: 28.7 minutes

--- #606 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 1.7% shorter than state average

--- 4.0% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.04%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 22.5%

- Worked outside county of residence: 61.6%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (81.7%), carpooled (11.2%), walked (0.4%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (5.1%)

#14. Hardin County

- Average commute time: 28.7 minutes

--- #606 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 1.7% shorter than state average

--- 4.0% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.87%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 25.5%

- Worked outside county of residence: 42.6%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (86%), carpooled (6.7%), walked (0.9%), public transportation (2.9%), worked from home (2.2%)

#13. Greene County

- Average commute time: 29 minutes

--- #567 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 0.7% shorter than state average

--- 5.1% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.30%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 21.1%

- Worked outside county of residence: 53.1%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (84%), carpooled (8.3%), walked (2%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (4.5%)

#12. Kane County

- Average commute time: 29.1 minutes

--- #548 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 0.3% shorter than state average

--- 5.4% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.33%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 16.1%

- Worked outside county of residence: 45.5%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (79.6%), carpooled (9.6%), walked (1.2%), public transportation (2.4%), worked from home (5.5%)

#11. Grundy County

- Average commute time: 29.2 minutes

--- #536 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 0.0% shorter than state average

--- 5.8% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.59%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 24.5%

- Worked outside county of residence: 55.4%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (87.9%), carpooled (6%), walked (0.7%), public transportation (0.6%), worked from home (3.7%)

#10. Monroe County

- Average commute time: 29.6 minutes

--- #485 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 1.4% longer than state average

--- 7.2% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.15%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 13.8%

- Worked outside county of residence: 21.8%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (85.2%), carpooled (5.9%), walked (1%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (6.2%)

#9. DuPage County

- Average commute time: 29.8 minutes

--- #464 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 2.1% longer than state average

--- 8.0% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.88%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 11.7%

- Worked outside county of residence: 38.4%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.4%), carpooled (6.7%), walked (1.6%), public transportation (7.3%), worked from home (6.9%)

#8. Alexander County

- Average commute time: 30.3 minutes

--- #418 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 3.8% longer than state average

--- 9.8% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.41%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 13.7%

- Worked outside county of residence: 26.7%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.6%), carpooled (4.9%), walked (0.7%), public transportation (2.6%), worked from home (7.4%)

#7. Lake County

- Average commute time: 30.4 minutes

--- #406 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 4.1% longer than state average

--- 10.1% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.61%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 13.1%

- Worked outside county of residence: 28%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (76.8%), carpooled (8.3%), walked (2.5%), public transportation (4.4%), worked from home (6.9%)

#6. Will County

- Average commute time: 33 minutes

--- #195 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 13.0% longer than state average

--- 19.6% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.76%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 18.5%

- Worked outside county of residence: 48.2%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.3%), carpooled (6%), walked (0.8%), public transportation (3.9%), worked from home (4.8%)

#5. McHenry County

- Average commute time: 33.2 minutes

--- #183 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 13.7% longer than state average

--- 20.3% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.89%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 18.4%

- Worked outside county of residence: 45.6%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (83.2%), carpooled (6.4%), walked (0.8%), public transportation (2.5%), worked from home (6.2%)

#4. Cook County

- Average commute time: 33.4 minutes

--- #171 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 14.4% longer than state average

--- 21.0% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.27%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 13.0%

- Worked outside county of residence: 11.7%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (61.1%), carpooled (8%), walked (4.3%), public transportation (19.1%), worked from home (4.9%)

#3. Kendall County

- Average commute time: 34.4 minutes

--- #122 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 17.8% longer than state average

--- 24.6% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.76%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 18.0%

- Worked outside county of residence: 66.6%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.9%), carpooled (7.2%), walked (0.6%), public transportation (2.5%), worked from home (5.7%)

#2. Pope County

- Average commute time: 36.5 minutes

--- #66 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 25.0% longer than state average

--- 32.2% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.27%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 15.8%

- Worked outside county of residence: 37.4%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (85.2%), carpooled (5.8%), walked (0.8%), public transportation (1.4%), worked from home (4.3%)

#1. Calhoun County

- Average commute time: 40.5 minutes

--- #18 longest among all counties nationwide

--- 38.7% longer than state average

--- 46.7% longer than national average

- Workers with 90+ minute commute: 8.48%

- Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 23.3%

- Worked outside county of residence: 37.3%

- Means of transportation: drove alone (82.8%), carpooled (6.7%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (7.1%)