Living in North Dakota, commute time isn’t exactly a hot topic at the dinner table. Out here in western North Dakota, the idea of sitting bumper-to-bumper in a traffic jam sounds more like an urban legend than a reality. But make no mistake, getting from Point A to Point B still takes time—just a different kind of time.

Recently, overflowdata.com did some number-crunching and revealed the counties in the nation with the longest commute times. And wouldn’t you know it, even our spacious skies and amber waves of grain can’t escape the commute analysis spotlight.

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North Dakota’s Longest Commutes: Renville County’s 32.5-Minute ‘Road Trip

In North Dakota, Renville County topped the charts with an average commute time of 32.5 minutes. That’s right—32.5 minutes! It’s practically a road trip by North Dakota standards. Williams County, with its oil boom and bustling activity, isn’t far behind with an average of 16.9 minutes. McKenzie County, where the wide-open spaces reign supreme, clocks in at 20.4 minutes. These folks might just have enough time to finish their coffee, listen to a few tunes, and solve all of life’s problems during their daily drive.

Foster County: Home of North Dakota’s 13-Minute Blink-and-Miss Commute

On the flip side, Foster County holds the title for the breeziest commute in the state at a mere 13 minutes. Towner County follows closely with an average of 14.3 minutes. Blink, and you might miss your commute entirely!

No matter how long or short your drive is, one thing’s for sure: it’s a perfect time to turn up the radio, sing along to your favorite songs, and soak in the scenic beauty of North Dakota. After all, out here, the journey is just as enjoyable as the destination—especially when there’s no rush hour in sight!

Best scenic drives in North Dakota

It's time to hit the road—Stacker compiled a list of the best scenic drives in North Dakota using data from Tripadvisor as of March 2024.

LOOK: Best counties to raise a family in North Dakota

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in North Dakota.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

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