From what I can guess and observe this list is more about states with sprawling urban areas (large populous suburbs scattered far from big cities) and very dense population centers than it is about states with a lot of land area. There's plenty of space in Alaska to spread out and you could live as far from work as you wanted to, but when given the option most people prefer to live close to where they work. Low population density means less traffic, too.
The most obvious correlation is the prevalence of public transport. Driving your own car is usually significantly faster than taking a bus or train. Taking a train involves walking, waiting, riding, and walking. Unless there is a connection in which case it is much longer. In contrast, a car can take you from door to door directly. Of course, when you take the train you are making traffic better for everyone else!
Actually, the data support kalbahamut on this one. It's not transit, it's congestion and urban sprawl. There are lots of studies on the matter, but here's a quick explanation on NPR: https://www.npr.org/2018/09/20/650061560/stuck-in-traffic-youre-not-alone-new-data-show-american-commute-times-are-longer
I don't see any data analyzing the correlation between public transit and commute time in the above linked article. Semi-related side note: I feel like statistics should be a required class to get a major in journalism.
Yes public transit does take longer than driving, but a lot of time those cities with good public transit infrastructure that people can rely on for work are in the major, densely populated cities. You can certainly drive your car into Manhattan to work, but for a lot of people it is easier to take the train and not deal with trying to find parking, paying out the nose for it, dealing with bridge and/or tunnel traffic. It certainly is a combination of factors.
Nobody there works! Highest unemployment in the nation! You have to work to have a commute!
Alaska basically has a negative state tax rate too, for many people, since every Alaskan gets a yearly payout from the government from profits due to exploiting the natural resources. Tends to cut down on the desire to work--according to Republicans, who therefore don't like to mention they are doing this in this red state.
Actually I found it surprisingly easy. Got them all! From little ol' New Zealand on the other side of the world. Where Auckland has the worst traffic of all...
I live in New Hampshire, and to be honest, most of the traffic isn't going down to Mass. It is the local traffic because of the small two lane highways. Every day I sit in traffic over the same bridge for at least 40 minutes.
I'm surprised not to see Texas on here. I don't think that I've ever been to Dallas, Houston, or Austin that I didn't get stuck in traffic for at least an hour - usually for endless construction delays.
Sorry but after living in SoCal for decades, I would have been happy with an hour. It's one of a long list of reasons I got out of hell. That just tells you that as bad as you think you have it, it is soooo much worse elsewhere. It should make you content with your hourish traffic.
I think this is going both ways. But there will be many people significantly above average in these states so taking an hour is probably not unrealistic.
You have no idea how long it takes to drive in and from Atlanta. I live in a suburb maybe 40-50 milea away from it, but it usually takes 2 hours, plus. It seems like it's always rush hour.
I'm glad I live in a part of Virginia where traffic is usually pretty decent but every now and then some idiot driver has to cause an accident on the highway.
Alaska basically has a negative state tax rate too, for many people, since every Alaskan gets a yearly payout from the government from profits due to exploiting the natural resources. Tends to cut down on the desire to work--according to Republicans, who therefore don't like to mention they are doing this in this red state.