For millions of Americans,
the workday doesn’t start at the office,
it starts in traffic.
New data measuring commute stress across the United States paints a striking picture: for some, getting to work is more exhausting than the job itself.
To create this analysis, we surveyed 1,828 people across the U.S., ensuring at least 35 respondents from all states except Alaska, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming, which were therefore not included.
We also gathered mean commute times from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey, and traffic data for U.S. cities from TomTom’s Traffic Index.
From these data points, we calculated a commute stress score for each state using a weighted formula that included the following:
Maryland tops the stress index with a score of 230.9, followed by New York (228.9), Florida (227.9), Louisiana (226.5), and Georgia (222.4). In contrast, Kentucky (142.4), Nebraska (160.0), and Iowa (161.4) have the lowest stress scores, showing that geography and the density, infrastructure, and traffic patterns of a region strongly influence commuting stress.
Stress isn’t just measured in numbers, it’s about lived experience. Florida, Missouri, and California lead the nation in the likelihood of arriving at work stressed because of the commute, while Nebraska, Hawaii, and Kansas are least likely to report stress.
Commuters in Nevada and Missouri are most likely to change their route to avoid stress, whereas Washington and Kentucky see the fewest route changes. Additionally, in states like Colorado, Georgia, and Florida, workers are more likely to report that their commute is more stressful than the job itself, while Iowa, New York, and Wisconsin are least likely to say the commute outweighs the workday.
Commute length is closely tied to stress.
The longest mean commute times are in New York (32.8 minutes), Maryland (31.5), New Jersey (30.9), Massachusetts (29.3), and California (29).
States with the shortest commutes, including Kentucky (14 minutes), Nebraska and Nevada (19.1), and Iowa and Kansas (19.8), align closely with the lowest stress scores.
More time on the road often means more stress, less sleep, and less personal time.
If commuters could reclaim their travel time, most would prioritize:
Only 16% would dedicate extra time to work, highlighting the lost opportunity for personal wellbeing caused by long or stressful commutes.
When asked what would reduce commute stress, respondents prioritized:
Lower tolls, cleaner transit, and safer bike/pedestrian infrastructure were also mentioned, emphasizing both systemic and personal interventions.
When faced with a trade-off, 57% of Americans would choose an easier commute even if it meant lower pay, while 43% would accept a more stressful commute for higher earnings.
Commuters clearly value quality of life and reduced stress over financial gain.
Whether it’s 32 minutes crawling through New York traffic or 14 minutes cruising in Kentucky, commuting is more than lost time, it’s lost sleep, lost health, and lost opportunities for personal fulfillment.
Commuting stress isn’t just a matter of lost time and fatigue, it can also have legal implications. Traffic accidents during the daily commute can lead to injury claims, insurance disputes, or liability questions.
For workers navigating these challenges, Maison Law can provide guidance and support to ensure rights are protected in the event of accidents or workplace repercussions tied to commuting delays.
