How long is the commute from Portland, ME?
Workers who live in Portland, ME take an average of 19.4 minutes to get to work (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
53.9% of workers drive alone to work.
2.6% take public transportation.
11.0% of workers walk to work.
24.8% work from home.
15.4% of households have no vehicle.
Figures last updated on .
- Average commute
- 19.4 minutes (±0.9)
- Public transportation
- 2.6%
- Work from home
- 24.8%
- Households without a car
- 15.4%
How people in Portland get to work
| Means of transportation | Portland | Cumberland County | Maine | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 53.9% (±2.5 points) | 63.7% | 70.8% | 68.8% |
| Carpooled | 5.4% (±1.1 points) | 6.8% | 7.9% | 8.5% |
| Public transportation | 2.6% (±0.6 points) | 0.9% | 0.5% | 3.2% |
| Walked | 11.0% (±1.2 points) | 5.0% | 3.4% | 2.4% |
| Other means (bicycle, taxi, motorcycle) | 2.3% (±0.5 points) | 1.9% | 1.5% | 2.0% |
| Worked from home | 24.8% (±1.8 points) | 21.8% | 15.9% | 15.1% |
In Portland, the average commute is lower than in Cumberland County (23.2 minutes).
It is also lower than in Maine (24.6 minutes).
It is lower than the national figure (26.4 minutes).
In Portland, the share commuting by public transportation is higher than in Cumberland County (0.9%).
It is also higher than in Maine (0.5%).
It is not measurably different from the national figure (3.2%).
In Cumberland County, Portland ranks 25 of 28 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest average commute.
Statewide, it ranks 386 of 462.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Cars per household in Portland
| Vehicles available | Portland | Cumberland County | Maine | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 15.4% (±1.4 points) | 6.9% | 6.8% | 8.4% |
| 1 vehicle | 43.8% (±2.4 points) | 34.8% | 33.6% | 33.1% |
| 2 vehicles | 32.7% (±2.0 points) | 41.6% | 39.9% | 36.6% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 8.2% (±1.0 points) | 16.7% | 19.8% | 21.9% |
In Portland, the share of households without a vehicle is higher than in Cumberland County (6.9%).
It is also higher than in Maine (6.8%).
It is higher than the national figure (8.4%).
Working from home and internet access in Portland
| Portland | Cumberland County | Maine | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers working from home | 24.8% (±1.8 points) | 21.8% (±0.8 points) | 15.9% (±0.4 points) | 15.1% |
| Households with a computer | 95.4% (±1.4 points) | 96.3% (±0.5 points) | 94.9% (±0.2 points) | 95.5% |
| Households with broadband internet | 91.6% (±1.6 points) | 92.7% (±0.7 points) | 90.3% (±0.3 points) | 91.0% |
In Portland, the share of households with a broadband subscription is not measurably different from Cumberland County (92.7%).
It is not measurably different from Maine (90.3%).
It is not measurably different from the national figure (91.0%).
Average commute in places near Portland
| Place | Distance | Average commute | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | — | 19.4 minutes (±0.9) | — |
| Long Island | 3.4 mi | 26.5 minutes (±9.1) | Not measurably different |
| Cape Elizabeth | 4.6 mi | 21.4 minutes (±2.4) | Not measurably different |
| South Portland | 5.0 mi | 17.1 minutes (±1.0) | Lower |
| Falmouth (community) | 6.2 mi | 17.3 minutes (±3.0) | Not measurably different |
| Falmouth Foreside | 7.0 mi | 17.8 minutes (±3.9) | Not measurably different |
| Oak Hill | 8.2 mi | 19.7 minutes (±4.6) | Not measurably different |
| Scarborough | 8.6 mi | 19.4 minutes (±2.0) | Not measurably different |
| Falmouth | 8.7 mi | 22.6 minutes (±2.5) | Higher |
Nearby places with a measurably lower figure: South Portland, ME (17.1 minutes).
Nearby places with a measurably higher figure: Falmouth, ME (22.6 minutes).
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Average commute across Cumberland County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Average commute |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Frye Island | 23.8 minutes (±28.6) |
| 20 | Freeport | 23.6 minutes (±2.7) |
| 21 | Brunswick | 23.4 minutes (±1.5) |
| 22 | Falmouth | 22.6 minutes (±2.5) |
| 23 | Chebeague Island | 22.4 minutes (±7.1) |
| 24 | Cape Elizabeth | 21.4 minutes (±2.4) |
| 25 (tie) | Portland | 19.4 minutes (±0.9) |
| 25 (tie) | Scarborough | 19.4 minutes (±2.0) |
| 27 | Westbrook | 18.7 minutes (±1.3) |
| 28 | South Portland | 17.1 minutes (±1.0) |
Showing 10 of 28 places in Cumberland County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Portland
How long is the average commute in Portland?
Workers who live in Portland, ME take an average of 19.4 minutes each way (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Can you live in Portland without a car?
15.4% of households in Portland have no vehicle, and 2.6% of workers commute by public transportation.
How many people work from home in Portland?
24.8% (±1.8 points) of workers who live in Portland worked from home, and 91.6% of households have a broadband subscription.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Portland city, Maine
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Portland city, Maine
- Selected Social Characteristics (DP02), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Portland city, Maine
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Portland city, Maine (place:60545, in state:23).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0018E, DP03_0018M, DP03_0025E, DP03_0025M, DP03_0019PE, DP03_0019PM, DP03_0020PE, DP03_0020PM, DP03_0021PE, DP03_0021PM, DP03_0022PE, DP03_0022PM, DP03_0023PE, DP03_0023PM, DP03_0024PE, DP03_0024PM, DP04_0058PE, DP04_0058PM, DP04_0059PE, DP04_0059PM, DP04_0060PE, DP04_0060PM, DP04_0061PE, DP04_0061PM, DP02_0153PE, DP02_0153PM, DP02_0154PE, DP02_0154PM
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
Related
- Housing in Portland at a glance
- Median rent in Portland
- Rent by bedrooms in Portland
- Rent burden in Portland
- Renters and owners in Portland
- Income and affordability in Portland
- Home values in Portland
- Homeowner costs in Portland
- Property taxes in Portland
- Types of homes in Portland
- Bedrooms in Portland
- Age of homes in Portland
- Vacancy rate in Portland
- Heating fuel in Portland
- Crime reported to police in Portland
- Population growth in Portland
- How long people stay in Portland
- Crowding and facilities in Portland
- Local landlord and tenant rules in Portland
- Maine landlord and tenant rules
- Housing across Cumberland County
- Maine places ranked by commute time
- Housing data for every place in Maine