How Long is the Commute in Georgia, Metro Atlanta?

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia drivers face some of the toughest commutes in the country, according to new data released in a U.S. Census survey. And, no surprise, metro Atlanta has the worst commutes.

The new survey data on average travel time to work found Georgia commuters are spending 28 minutes on the trip, up from 27 minutes five years ago. Nationally, Georgia ranks ninth on a list of longest commutes — up from 10th last year.

Atlanta metro commuters are spending 31.3 minutes in the car to work — more than any other metro area. The fastest trip to work in the state is in the Statesboro area, where survey respondents reported an average commute of 19 minutes.

• 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 for metro areas in the state, according to the latest U.S. Census survey data:

• Atlanta metro area: 31.3 minutes
• Gainesville: 25.6 minutes
• LaGrange: 25.8 minutes
• Macon: 24.9 minutes
• Hinesville: 24.1 minutes
• Augusta: 23.9 minutes
• Dalton: 23.2 minutes
• Savannah: 23.2 minutes
• Columbus: 23 minutes
• Rome: 22.1 minutes
• Warner Robins: 20.9 minutes
• Albany: 20.8 minutes
• Brunswick: 20.4 minutes
• Athens: 20.2 minutes
• Valdosta: 20.2 minutes
• Statesboro: 19.9 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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