ICYMI: How Does Tampa Area Commute Compare to Rest of Florida?

TAMPA, FL — Commuters in the Tampa region are seeing trips to work on par with the state average, according to new data released in a U.S. Census survey. Sarasota and Bradenton commuters are doing a little better than others in Florida, but they have seen a sharp spike over recent years.

The survey data on average travel time to work found Florida commuters are spending 27 minutes on the trip, up from 25.5 minutes five years ago. Nationally, Florida ranks 13th on a list of longest commutes — unchanged from last year.

Tampa metro drivers also are seeing a 27-minute drive to work, up 90 seconds from 2011. Sarasota and Bradenton metro drivers face a 25.2-minute commute. That's better than Tampa, but up nearly three minutes from 2011.

• See: State-by-state 'worst commute' rankings

The U.S. Census performs the American Community Survey each year, asking questions about housing, employment and other demographic information. The findings are released for states and major metro areas each September, and complete data on every community is released toward the end of the year.

Here are area commute times, according to the latest U.S. Census survey data:

• Pasco: 31.6 minutes
• Hernando: 30.4 minutes
• Hillsborough: 27.2 minutes
• Manatee: 26.4 minutes
• Largo: 25.5 minutes
• Clearwater: 24.9 minutes
• Pinellas: 24.2 minutes
• Sarasota: 24.1 minutes
• St. Pete: 23.5 minutes
• Tampa: 23.2 minutes

A study across the pond this summer found workers in England and Wales were damaging their health with long commutes. Those surveyed estimated they added almost 800 calories to their weekly diet as a result of the trip to work, according to a CNN report.

It may not get you to work faster, but researchers suggest getting out of the car — even if only for a portion of your commute.

Walking to a train station or standing in a subway car are better for your health, researcher Ellen Flint told The Huffington Post in the spring. “These all add up to significantly more exertion than driving door-to-door,” she said.

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