Counties with the worst commutes in Kentucky

Published 11:54 am Friday, May 28, 2021

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

Counties with the worst commutes in Kentucky

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 Kentucky 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.

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#30. Casey County

– Average commute time: 29.7 minutes
— #477 longest among all counties nationwide
— 25.8% longer than state average
— 7.6% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.23%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 18.6%
– Worked outside county of residence: 41.8%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (80.2%), carpooled (14.4%), walked (0.8%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (3.6%)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#29. Bath County

– Average commute time: 29.8 minutes
— #464 longest among all counties nationwide
— 26.3% longer than state average
— 8.0% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.68%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 26.8%
– Worked outside county of residence: 66.3%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (79.7%), carpooled (14.1%), walked (1.9%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (3.9%)

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#28. Lawrence County

– Average commute time: 30 minutes
— #445 longest among all counties nationwide
— 27.1% longer than state average
— 8.7% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.17%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 18.9%
– Worked outside county of residence: 37.8%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (86.4%), carpooled (8.2%), walked (0.5%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (2.3%)

HiB2Bornot2B // Wikimedia Commons

#27. Johnson County

– Average commute time: 30.2 minutes
— #427 longest among all counties nationwide
— 28.0% longer than state average
— 9.4% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.26%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 12.9%
– Worked outside county of residence: 41.2%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (81.8%), carpooled (10.9%), walked (2.9%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (4%)

JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD // Wikimedia Commons

#26. Owsley County

– Average commute time: 30.2 minutes
— #427 longest among all counties nationwide
— 28.0% longer than state average
— 9.4% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 9.62%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 13.4%
– Worked outside county of residence: 45.9%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.9%), carpooled (7.9%), walked (1.6%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (3.3%)

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#25. Breathitt County

– Average commute time: 30.7 minutes
— #371 longest among all counties nationwide
— 30.1% longer than state average
— 11.2% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 8.02%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 21.1%
– Worked outside county of residence: 36.5%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (79.1%), carpooled (12.4%), walked (4.1%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (1.4%)

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#24. Carter County

– Average commute time: 31 minutes
— #344 longest among all counties nationwide
— 31.4% longer than state average
— 12.3% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.33%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 17.5%
– Worked outside county of residence: 37.3%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (80.8%), carpooled (12.4%), walked (3.1%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (2.5%)

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#23. Estill County

– Average commute time: 31.1 minutes
— #334 longest among all counties nationwide
— 31.8% longer than state average
— 12.7% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.57%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 23.9%
– Worked outside county of residence: 59.4%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (78.5%), carpooled (17.7%), walked (0.2%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (3.2%)

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#22. Powell County

– Average commute time: 31.1 minutes
— #334 longest among all counties nationwide
— 31.8% longer than state average
— 12.7% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.90%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 14.1%
– Worked outside county of residence: 55.3%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (83.1%), carpooled (12.6%), walked (1.4%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (2.2%)

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#21. Grant County

– Average commute time: 31.3 minutes
— #316 longest among all counties nationwide
— 32.6% longer than state average
— 13.4% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.71%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 26.5%
– Worked outside county of residence: 63.5%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (84.3%), carpooled (11.4%), walked (1%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (2.3%)

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#20. Knott County

– Average commute time: 31.5 minutes
— #298 longest among all counties nationwide
— 33.5% longer than state average
— 14.1% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.75%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 16.7%
– Worked outside county of residence: 51.2%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (78.9%), carpooled (9.5%), walked (5.9%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (2.9%)

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#19. Meade County

– Average commute time: 31.7 minutes
— #282 longest among all counties nationwide
— 34.3% longer than state average
— 14.9% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 2.40%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 21.3%
– Worked outside county of residence: 60.3%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.5%), carpooled (10%), walked (1.3%), public transportation (0.4%), worked from home (2.1%)

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#18. Clay County

– Average commute time: 32.4 minutes
— #233 longest among all counties nationwide
— 37.3% longer than state average
— 17.4% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.10%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 20.0%
– Worked outside county of residence: 41%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (73.3%), carpooled (18.2%), walked (1.8%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (5%)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#17. Owen County

– Average commute time: 32.5 minutes
— #228 longest among all counties nationwide
— 37.7% longer than state average
— 17.8% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 4.88%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 25.7%
– Worked outside county of residence: 55.6%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (81.9%), carpooled (10.9%), walked (2.8%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (4%)

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#16. Spencer County

– Average commute time: 32.6 minutes
— #220 longest among all counties nationwide
— 38.1% longer than state average
— 18.1% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.03%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 21.3%
– Worked outside county of residence: 76.8%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (84.6%), carpooled (10.1%), walked (0.9%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (3.2%)

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#15. Breckinridge County

– Average commute time: 32.6 minutes
— #220 longest among all counties nationwide
— 38.1% longer than state average
— 18.1% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.03%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 29.1%
– Worked outside county of residence: 42.3%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (77.6%), carpooled (13.1%), walked (1.3%), public transportation (1.1%), worked from home (5.1%)

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#14. Morgan County

– Average commute time: 33.1 minutes
— #188 longest among all counties nationwide
— 40.3% longer than state average
— 19.9% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 9.59%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 15.0%
– Worked outside county of residence: 33.8%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.9%), carpooled (9.7%), walked (0.2%), public transportation (0.3%), worked from home (3%)

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#13. Leslie County

– Average commute time: 33.4 minutes
— #171 longest among all counties nationwide
— 41.5% longer than state average
— 21.0% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.67%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 23.2%
– Worked outside county of residence: 46.2%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (84.1%), carpooled (11%), walked (1.1%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (3.5%)

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#12. Nicholas County

– Average commute time: 33.6 minutes
— #160 longest among all counties nationwide
— 42.4% longer than state average
— 21.7% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.25%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 21.9%
– Worked outside county of residence: 62.5%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (74.7%), carpooled (17.8%), walked (3.2%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (3.5%)

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#11. Martin County

– Average commute time: 34.3 minutes
— #127 longest among all counties nationwide
— 45.3% longer than state average
— 24.3% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 5.20%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 14.7%
– Worked outside county of residence: 21.6%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (83.1%), carpooled (14.2%), walked (1.7%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (0.9%)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#10. Pendleton County

– Average commute time: 34.4 minutes
— #122 longest among all counties nationwide
— 45.8% longer than state average
— 24.6% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 1.93%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 22.7%
– Worked outside county of residence: 57.6%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (88.1%), carpooled (6.9%), walked (0.5%), public transportation (0.7%), worked from home (3.5%)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#9. Jackson County

– Average commute time: 35 minutes
— #101 longest among all counties nationwide
— 48.3% longer than state average
— 26.8% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.00%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 25.3%
– Worked outside county of residence: 48.9%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (83.7%), carpooled (9.9%), walked (1.3%), public transportation (1.2%), worked from home (3%)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#8. Garrard County

– Average commute time: 35.1 minutes
— #98 longest among all counties nationwide
— 48.7% longer than state average
— 27.2% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 3.74%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 15.4%
– Worked outside county of residence: 70.5%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (81.6%), carpooled (10.3%), walked (0.4%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (6.8%)

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#7. Menifee County

– Average commute time: 35.8 minutes
— #79 longest among all counties nationwide
— 51.7% longer than state average
— 29.7% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.23%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 14.0%
– Worked outside county of residence: 63.2%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (81.6%), carpooled (11.6%), walked (0.8%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (6%)

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#6. Magoffin County

– Average commute time: 37 minutes
— #58 longest among all counties nationwide
— 56.8% longer than state average
— 34.1% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 12.99%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 23.2%
– Worked outside county of residence: 49%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.1%), carpooled (11.4%), walked (0.6%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (1.8%)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#5. Lee County

– Average commute time: 37.1 minutes
— #56 longest among all counties nationwide
— 57.2% longer than state average
— 34.4% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 14.65%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 21.6%
– Worked outside county of residence: 43.6%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (81.4%), carpooled (9.9%), walked (4.4%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (1.3%)

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#4. Bracken County

– Average commute time: 38.4 minutes
— #37 longest among all counties nationwide
— 62.7% longer than state average
— 39.1% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 6.33%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 21.5%
– Worked outside county of residence: 54%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (78.1%), carpooled (14.5%), walked (1.5%), public transportation (0.1%), worked from home (4.6%)

C. Bedford Crenshaw // Wikimedia Commons

#3. Lewis County

– Average commute time: 39.7 minutes
— #26 longest among all counties nationwide
— 68.2% longer than state average
— 43.8% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 10.44%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 20.4%
– Worked outside county of residence: 44.1%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (83.7%), carpooled (10.3%), walked (0.5%), public transportation (0.2%), worked from home (3.8%)

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#2. Elliott County

– Average commute time: 39.9 minutes
— #22 longest among all counties nationwide
— 69.1% longer than state average
— 44.6% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 15.44%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 17.0%
– Worked outside county of residence: 53.2%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (86.5%), carpooled (9.3%), walked (1.4%), public transportation (0.5%), worked from home (1.8%)

W.marsh // Wikimedia Commons

#1. Robertson County

– Average commute time: 42.9 minutes
— #9 longest among all counties nationwide
— 81.8% longer than state average
— 55.4% longer than national average

– Workers with 90+ minute commute: 11.97%
– Left for work from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.: 27.4%
– Worked outside county of residence: 54.3%
– Means of transportation: drove alone (85.8%), carpooled (6.3%), walked (2%), public transportation (0%), worked from home (6%)