These data measure Arizonans’ average commute time to work, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, and the intensity of heavily congested commuting, as measured by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
What is Commute Time?
Commute time is the average time, in minutes, it takes a worker to get door-to-door from their home to their place of employment using their preferred method of transportation (car, bike, public transit, etc.).
This metric provides a regional snapshot that helps identify broader transportation trends, not individual choices. While some workers may choose to live farther from their jobs, potentially skewing personal experiences, the average commute time is useful for general comparisons and for signaling whether infrastructure is keeping pace with population growth and urban development.
Commute time is the average time, in minutes, it takes a worker to get door-to-door from their home to their place of employment using their preferred method of transportation (car, bike, public transit, etc.).
The Travel Time Index is the ratio of the average length of time of a commute in free-flow conditions divided by the length of the same commute in heavy traffic. For example, an index ratio of 1.2 indicates a 20-minute commute in the middle of the night will take 24 minutes in heavy traffic.
Why Would Improving Commute Time Matter?
Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states in the country. However, quality of life is impacted when it’s difficult to get from one place to another, affecting Arizona’s preparedness for future population growth. High commute times also impact Arizona’s ability to attract business, industry, and high-quality workers. Transportation infrastructure that is not adequate for peak commute periods also impacts quality of life, adding significant time to trips.
Lowering commute times can be achieved through numerous approaches, including diversifying where employers are located, ensuring roads and highways are designed to accommodate growth, and expanding and improving the public transportation system.
Commute time data are updated annually and are available for the nation, counties, states, and some municipal statistical areas (MSAs).
Travel Time Index data are updated annually and are available for many municipal statistical areas (MSAs).