How Maryland Commute Time Became Second Worst in USA Maryland just blew past New Jersey and now has the second longest commute in America. Thirty one and a half minutes one way. That is your life, disappearing in brake lights. While the average American spends about half an hour getting to work, Marylanders are stuck even longer in traffic pouring into D.C. and Baltimore. And that time is not free. When you add up gas, tires, maintenance and insurance, commuting is chewing through roughly $6,700