Super Commuters Increasing in Seattle

More and more people are driving farther and farther to get to work in the Seattle region.

1 minute read

December 18, 2018, 11:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Seattle

Anthon Jackson / Shutterstock

According to recent analysis by the Puget Sound Regional Council, commute times in the region are continuing to increase. 

Pierce County commuters have the longest average travel time at 32.5 minutes, followed by Snohomish County at 32.3 minutes and Kitsap County at 30.4 min­utes. Commuters in King County had the shortest average commute at 29.9 minutes.

Moreover:

The share of commuters with long commutes (greater than 60 minutes) is growing. Across the region, the share of travelers with long commutes increased by 47% between 2010 and 2017.

On the flip side of this equation, the share of commuters with very short commutes is declining.

These figures stand in stark contrast to steady reports on Seattle's success in wooing commuters out of single automobile trips and into transit. While Seattle is regularly touted as a leader in transit ridership, the region is now ranks third among the nation's metropolitan areas in increasing super commuters.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018 in Puget Sound Regional Council

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