PROPORTION OF PEOPLE WHO WORK FROM HOME DECLINING; STILL HIGHER THAN 10 YEARS AGO
Tracking commuter trends and transportation system demand helps gauge the ease with which residents, workers, and goods can move within the county. Traffic congestion adversely affects the efficient movement of goods, contributes to the expense of operating a car, and increases air pollution. Low-density land use and long distances between destinations within the county, or between major job centers in other counties, can contribute to lengthy commutes, whether residents use transit or a personal vehicle. However, residents may choose longer commute times for more affordable housing or other quality-of-life factors. This indicator tracks average commute times, residents’ primary mode of travel to work, and hours of delay on freeways in the region.
TREND
In 2023, the average commute time to work for San Bernardino County residents was 32.3 minutes, compared with 32.1 minutes in 2022. Over the past 10 years, San Bernardino County average commute times have increased by 1.4 minutes.
Most San Bernardino County workers (74.5%) drove alone to their workplace in 2023. This is a decrease from ten years ago, when 78.1% of workers drove alone. The notable reduction in driving alone can be attributed to more people working from home. The percentage of residents working from home more than doubled over the past 10 years, increasing from 4.5% in 2014 to 9.9% in 2023.
PERCENTAGE OF WORKERS WORKING FROM HOME DROPS POST COVID
Average Travel Time to Work (in Minutes) and Percentage Driving Alone or Working from Home in San Bernardino County, 2014-2023
GEOGRAPHIC COMPARISON
San Bernardino County’s average commute time of 32.3 minutes is longer than the California average (29.2 minutes), the U.S. average (26.8 minutes), and all regions compared except Riverside (34.1 minutes).
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY COMMUTE TIME IS SECOND HIGHEST AMONG REGIONS COMPARED
County Comparison of Average Commute Time to Work in Minutes, 2023
Compared to peer regions, San Bernardino County has the highest level of commuters driving alone (74.5% in 2023), while Maricopa County has the lowest level (65.3%). San Bernardino County also has the lowest percentage of workers working from home (9.9%) compared to the high of 19.6% of workers working from home in Maricopa County.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY HAS HIGHEST RATE OF PEOPLE DRIVING ALONE
County Comparison of Primary Mode of Travel to Work, 2023
More than 502,000 residents work outside of San Bernardino County. Most of these residents work in Los Angeles County (222,362), followed by Riverside County (113,613) and Orange County (86,000). In contrast, almost 402,000 people commute into San Bernardino County to work. Of these, most commuting to San Bernardino County travel from Riverside County (152,169), Los Angeles County (132,647), and Orange County (42,154) to work. Approximately 440,000 people both live and work in San Bernardino County.
MORE RESIDENTS COMMUTE TO JOBS OUTSIDE OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY THAN LIVE AND WORK IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
Intercounty Commuting Patterns, 2022
Arterial Pavement Condition in the “Good to Excellent” Range
The California Local Streets and Roads Needs Assessment, which has been conducted biennially since 2008, rates pavement condition on a scale of zero (failed) to 100 (excellent). The 2023 assessment, which uses 2022 data, included a total of 22,014 lane miles of pavement in San Bernardino County, which are maintained by local jurisdictions. In 2022, San Bernardino County’s average pavement condition index (PCI) was 71, which is higher than the statewide average PCI of 65. Ratings between 71 and 100 are considered “good to excellent,” while ratings of 50 to 70 are considered “at risk.” San Bernardino County has maintained a PCI rating between 70 and 74 since tracking began.