ARC survey finds metro Atlanta commutes reshaped by telework, shorter trips, and fewer alternatives used

Telework and flexible schedules redefine commuting patterns across the 20-county region

Metro Atlanta’s commute has settled into a post-pandemic “new normal,” with telework and hybrid schedules now a lasting feature of how residents get to work. A 2025 Regional Commuter Survey of nearly 6,000 employed residents across the region found teleworking remains far above pre-pandemic levels, average commute times are shorter, and traditional peak-hour congestion is increasingly dispersed throughout the day.

The survey shows telework has expanded from an occasional perk to a routine work arrangement for many. In 2019, 43% of workers reported teleworking at least sometimes. By 2025, that figure rose to 60%. Full-time telework increased from 6% in 2019 to 20% in 2025, while telework as a primary commute mode doubled from 6% to 12% over the same period.

Monday and Friday remote work reshapes the weekly traffic rhythm

Hybrid patterns are uneven across the week. Teleworking is most common on Mondays and Fridays, which together account for more than half of weekly telework activity. Midweek continues to carry the highest traditional commute volumes, as many workers concentrate in-office days from Tuesday through Thursday. With telework often substituting for drive-alone trips, the distribution of travel demand is shifting away from the classic five-day peak model.

Across the region, the average one-way commute is about five minutes shorter than it was in 2019.

Access to telework varies by occupation and household income

The ability to work from home is not evenly available. The survey found about 80% of office workers can telework at least occasionally, compared with 32% of education workers and 42% of health-related workers. Income differences also stand out: among households earning more than $200,000 annually, 73% of commuters reported occasionally teleworking, versus 23% to 51% among lower-income households.

Driving alone remains dominant as carpooling and bus use decline

Even as telework expands, driving remains the primary way most commuters travel on days they go in. The share of commuters primarily driving alone increased from 80% in 2019 to 82% in 2025. Over the same period, the survey found declines in carpooling and bus use as primary commute modes.

Respondents cited several obstacles to using alternatives to solo driving. The most frequently reported barriers were longer travel times (47%) and a lack of transit access (44%). Other commonly cited challenges included work hours that do not align with transit service, preference for current travel habits, and the need to have a personal vehicle available during the day. The survey also noted that free workplace parking can reduce the perceived cost of driving alone, making alternative options harder to compete.

• Teleworking (any amount): 60% in 2025, up from 43% in 2019
• Full-time telework: 20% in 2025, up from 6% in 2019
• Drive-alone as primary mode: 82% in 2025, up from 80% in 2019
• Top barriers to alternatives: longer travel time (47%), limited transit access (44%)

The findings are expected to inform regional transportation demand management and planning, particularly as travel demand becomes more variable by day, industry, and income.