Traffic & Commute Statistics (Nassau & Suffolk Counties)
With a population of more than 2.8 million people, Long Island is one of the most heavily traveled suburban regions in the United States. From the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to the Long Island Expressway (I-495), commuting is central to life for residents working locally and in New York City.
This page compiles official data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT), and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) to provide a comprehensive view of average commute times, traffic volumes, and public transit usage across Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
Long Island Commute (Most Recent Year Available)
| Category | Nassau County | Suffolk County | Long Island Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Commute Time | 35 minutes | 33 minutes | 34 minutes |
| Drive Alone (by car) | 69% | 77% | 73% |
| Public Transit (all modes) | 16% | 9% | 12% |
| Work from Home | 11% | 10% | 11% |
| LIRR Daily Ridership (avg) | ~125,000 | ~60,000 | ~185,000 |
Source: MTA LIRR Ridership Data; NYSDOT Traffic Counts; U.S. Census ACS.
Average Commute Times (2015–2023)
| Year | Nassau County | Suffolk County | Long Island Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 34 min | 32 min | 33 min |
| 2016 | 34 min | 32 min | 33 min |
| 2017 | 35 min | 33 min | 34 min |
| 2018 | 35 min | 33 min | 34 min |
| 2019 | 36 min | 34 min | 35 min |
| 2020 | 32 min | 31 min | 32 min (pandemic) |
| 2021 | 34 min | 32 min | 33 min |
| 2022 | 35 min | 33 min | 34 min |
| 2023 | 35 min | 33 min | 34 min |
Car vs. Train Usage
- Car Dominance: Roughly 73% of commuters drive alone to work. Carpooling adds another 6–7%.
- LIRR: The Long Island Rail Road carries about 185,000 riders per weekday, making it the busiest commuter railroad in the U.S. Nassau accounts for about two-thirds of LIRR riders.
- Transit Share: Transit use is far higher in Nassau (16%) than Suffolk (9%), reflecting proximity to NYC and more frequent LIRR service.
Traffic Volumes
- LIE (I-495): The Long Island Expressway carries 200,000+ vehicles per day in some Nassau segments.
- Northern State Parkway & Southern State Parkway: Each moves between 120,000–150,000 vehicles daily at peak segments.
- Bridges & Tunnels: Nearly 1 million vehicle trips daily occur across the East River crossings connecting LI commuters to NYC.
Commuting Patterns
According to the Census ACS:
- Nassau County: About 40% of commuters work in NYC, with the remainder employed within Long Island.
- Suffolk County: More than 70% of workers are employed within Suffolk itself, reflecting longer drives but fewer city commutes.
- Telework: Remote work stabilized at ~11% of the workforce post-pandemic.
Methodology
- Commute Times & Modes: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates.
- Traffic Counts: NYSDOT automatic traffic recorders, highway segments.
- Rail Ridership: MTA Long Island Rail Road ridership reports, daily averages.
- Coverage: Includes Nassau and Suffolk residents age 16+ in the workforce.
FAQ
Q: Why is Nassau’s transit usage higher than Suffolk’s?
A: Nassau is closer to NYC, with more LIRR stations and higher train frequencies.
Q: Did commute times really fall in 2020?
A: Yes. Pandemic-related remote work caused a sharp drop, with times rebounding afterward.
Q: Which roads are most congested?
A: The Long Island Expressway (I-495), Northern State Parkway, and Southern State Parkway are the busiest corridors.
Q: How often is this data updated?
A: Commute data is updated annually by ACS; traffic counts and LIRR ridership are released regularly by NYSDOT and MTA.
