PROPORTION OF PEOPLE WHO WORK FROM HOME MORE THAN TRIPLED
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 2021, the average commute time to work for San Bernardino County residents was 32.2 minutes, compared with 31.9 minutes in 2019. Over the past 10 years, San Bernardino County average commute times have increased by 1.9 minutes.
At 73.2%, most San Bernardino County commuters drove alone to their workplace in 2021. This is a decrease from ten years ago, when 77.6% of commuters 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 tripled over the past 10 years, from 3.7% working from home in 2012 to 13.6% in 2021. This substantial increase is due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns which necessitated the need to work from home for non-essential workers.
PERCENTAGE OF COMMUTERS DRIVING ALONE DROPS NOTABLY
Mean Travel Time to Work (in Minutes) and Percentage Driving Alone or Working from Home in San Bernardino County, 2012-2021
GEOGRAPHIC DETAIL
At 32.2 minutes, San Bernardino County’s average commute time is longer than the California average (27.6 minutes), the U.S. average (25.6 minutes), and all regions compared.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY COMMUTE TIME IS HIGHEST AMONG REGIONS COMPARED
County Comparison of Average Commute Time to Work in Minutes, 2021
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates. Table S0801
| Counties | Average Commute Time to Work (in minutes) | California (in minutes) | United States (in minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino | 32.2 | 27.6 | 25.6 |
| Riverside | 32.1 | 27.6 | 25.6 |
| Miami-Dade | 29.8 | 27.6 | 25.6 |
| Los Angeles | 29.2 | 27.6 | 25.6 |
| Orange | 26.1 | 27.6 | 25.6 |
| Maricopa (Phoenix) | 25 | 27.6 | 25.6 |
| San Diego | 24.5 | 27.6 | 25.6 |
| Clark (Las Vegas) | 24.4 | 27.6 | 25.6 |
Compared to peer regions, San Bernardino County has the second highest level of commuters driving alone (73.2% in 2021), while Maricopa County has the lowest level (63.3%). San Bernardino County also has among the lowest level of workers working from home (13.6%) compared to the high of 23.8% of workers working from home in Maricopa County.
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY HAS SECOND HIGHEST RATE OF PEOPLE DRIVING ALONE
Regional Comparison of Primary Mode of Travel to Work, 2021
More than 466,000 residents work outside of San Bernardino County. Most of these residents work in Los Angeles County (211,481), followed by Riverside (99,906) and Orange (82,322) counties. In contrast, about 357,000 people commute into San Bernardino County to work. Of these, most commuters to San Bernardino County come from Riverside County (134,602) and Los Angeles (118,894) counties, while 42,036 people live in Orange County and commute into San Bernardino County to work. Approximately 413,000 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, 2019
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 2021 assessment included a total of 22,601 lane miles of pavement in San Bernardino County, which are maintained by local jurisdictions. In 2020, San Bernardino County’s average pavement condition index (PCI) was 74, which is in the “good to excellent” range, and higher than the statewide average PCI of 66. 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.