Metro Atlanta commuters have settled into a ‘new normal’ shaped by telework, hybrid schedules, and flexible work hours, though access to these options varies widely by income and occupation, according to the Atlanta Regional Commission’s 2025 Regional Commuter Survey (RCS). The Regional Commuter Survey supports ARC’s transportation demand management efforts by documenting commute trends, identifying barriers to alternative travel, and providing data to guide future planning and policy development.

Based on nearly 6,000 responses from employed residents across the 20-county region, the survey finds commute times are an average of five minutes shorter, and telework and non-traditional schedules have increased, contributing to congestion being spread more evenly throughout the day compared to the 2019 commuter survey.

“The survey confirms that telework is here to stay. Despite the post-pandemic return-to-office trend, teleworking, both occasional and full-time, remains significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels,” said Anna Roach, ARC Executive Director and CEO. “Along with an increase in part-time workers and non-traditional work schedules, these shifts are altering travel patterns and spreading congestion throughout the day. This data gives ARC and our partners the tools we need to plan smarter investments that reflect today’s realities while preparing for tomorrow’s growth.”

Telework Is Here to Stay

In 2019, 43% of workers reported teleworking at any time. By 2025, that share rose to 60%, with full-time telework increasing from 6% to 20%. While levels have declined from pandemic peaks, many workers now incorporate some telework into weekly routines.

Teleworking is most common on Mondays and Fridays, accounting for more than half of weekly telework activity. Midweek continues to see the highest traditional commute volumes. Because telework primarily replaces drive-alone trips, Mondays and Fridays typically experience less peak congestion.

Telework Access Reflects Income and Occupation

Access to telework varies significantly by job type and income. About 80% of office workers can telework at least occasionally, compared with 32% of education workers and 42% of health-related workers. Among households earning more than $200,000 annually, 73% of commuters occasionally telework, versus 23% to 51% among lower-income households.

Fewer Commuters Using Alternative Transportation

Compared to 2019, fewer commuters are using alternative transportation as their primary commute mode. Carpooling and bus use have declined, while the share of commuters primarily driving alone has increased from 80% to 82%. Telework as a primary commute mode doubled from 6% in 2019 to 12% in 2025.

Respondents cited longer travel times (47%) and lack of transit access (44%) as the most common barriers to alternative travel, along with incompatible work hours, preference for current modes, and the need for a personal vehicle.

“As commuters return to the office, they face numerous barriers to using alternative commute options,” said Casey Sloan, ARC’s Mobility Services’ Data Analysis Administrator. “Chief among these is not wanting a longer commute time and not having transit available near their home.”

Sloan added, “The widespread availability of free parking at worksites also functions to incentivize driving alone, reducing the direct costs associated with that mode choice. Although respondents overwhelmingly expressed the importance of access to alternative mode services and benefits, it is critical that these barriers be addressed before mode shift can occur.”

The 2025 RCS Technical Report, Summary Report, interactive dashboard, weighted datasets, and public data guide are available on ARC’s Regional Commuter Survey page.