Hazleton among top commute times in state

April 11--The average commute time to work in Hazleton is just under 19 minutes, according to a report from an insurance information organization.

The survey was done by Obrella, a Clear Link Insurance Agency brand which helps with the insurance shopping experience by reporting on industry news, providing helpful insurance resources, and taking the time to help the consumer better understand the insurance policy and the options available.

Obrella said Hazleton has the 14th best commuter time in the "40 Best and Worst Commuter Cities in Pennsylvania" report.

To determine the rankings, Obrella analyzed traffic data from the 2013 survey released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Considering only Pennsylvania cities with a population exceeding 10,000 at the time of the report, Obrella analysts sorted cities by average commute time and used other available data points to help visualize the breakdown of commute types and commute lengths.

The report describes Hazleton as "a recreation enthusiast's dream. It's also close to Interstates 80 and 81, which means New York City and Philadelphia are only a few hours away. The Greater Hazleton area is home to some of the country's most well-known companies like Amazon, which employs approximately 2,000 Hazleton-area residents.

"With all Hazleton residents have to see and do, it's a good thing they don't waste much time getting to or from work. One-third of workers make it to the job in less than 29 minutes, and 13 (percent) either carpool or use mass transit to make the trip."

More specifically, the report said Hazleton's average commute time is 18.8 minutes. The report also states almost 79 percent of workers go to work alone, almost 12 percent carpool, and 1 percent either use mass transit to get to work or work at home.

CAN DO President Kevin O'Donnell said the intersection of Interstates 80 and 81 was placed near Hazleton after a group called "The Road Crew" made up of former CAN DO board members lobbied to have the superhighways come through the area.

"The interstate highways are immediately adjacent to our industrial parks by design," O'Donnell said. "That's part of the reason it's such an easy commute to work."

Mary Malone, president of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, said her own commute to work is short -- from the Terrace section of Hazleton to downtown Hazleton.

"And my husband, Sean, is a teacher at Valley Elementary Middle School, so all he has to do is pick up the interstate, get off in West Hazleton and go down the Route 93 mountain."

Malone said the area's highway system is what gives the area a high quality of life.

"We all know the assets of having Interstates 80 and 81 here," Malone said. "It gives us access to so many amenities. And look at our mass transit system. You can go anywhere with it."

Not just Hazleton

Several Northeastern Pennsylvania communities show up in the survey. Two Susquehanna Valley towns show up, Bloomsburg at number 6, and Berwick at number 27.

Also several Wyoming Valley communities are listed: Wilkes-Barre, 25; Kingston, 26; Plains Township, 32, and Hanover Township, 35.

Scranton comes in at 21, and Dunmore at 17.

The report said entrepreneurs will appreciate Berwick's many business perks, which include lucrative tax benefits. Plus, the Berwick Industrial Development Association is there to help business owners identify sources for financial assistance, select a site for their business and more.

"A cost of living that's 11 percent lower than the state average and a low violent crime rate are more reasons Berwick a smart choice for those who want to relocate or launch their business," the report said.

The report also stated Bloomsburg offers easy access to Route 11 and Interstate 80, and "Bloomsburg's vibrant downtown is perfect for entrepreneurs looking to set up shop. All this, plus Bloomsburg residents spend 50 percent less time behind the wheel than the average American."

Williamsport is the largest city in North-Central Pennsylvania and, according to the report, is "one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in America and is consistently named as one of the top 300 places to live in the United States."

The report quoted BusinessWeek.com in saying Wilkes-Barre is one of the "Most Affordable Housing Markets in the U.S." Parents who are considering relocating to Wilkes-Barre will be happy to hear that two of its high schools have been included on U.S. News & World Report's list of best high schools.

Kingston offers a home buyer's incentive program, the report said. "For those who are eligible, the program provides a one year family membership to the Kingston Recreation Center and a seasonal pass to the Kingston pool."

Plains and Hanover townships are also mentioned.

"Plains Township a residential as well as commercial community, with convenient access to Interstate 81, the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and three state routes, eight out of 10 Plains Township residents get to work in less than 29 minutes.

"Roughly four out of 10 Hanover Township workers spend less than 15 minutes commuting to and from work, and eight in 10 make the trip from home to work in 29 minutes or less."

The report said Scranton has a lot of designations.

Scranton has been named one of America's "Fastest-Recovering Cities," one of the "10 Fastest Growing Real Estate Markets in the Country," and the "Best Place to Raise Your Kids in Pennsylvania."

Scranton residents deserve recognition for their carpooling efforts, too. More than 14 percent of the workforce carpools, which is the second highest percentage among Pennsylvania's best commuter cities."

The report went onto state Dunmore "is a great place to live if you're looking for the best mix of big city amenities, job opportunities, and small town charm. More perks of calling Dunmore home include low crime, high graduation rates and an affordable cost of living."

The study went on to say that on average, Pennsylvania workers commute 51 minutes each workday, which is about the national average. But we found 40 cities in the Keystone State where residents spend much less time fighting rush hour.

The average commute time of the best commuter cities in Pennsylvania is 19 minutes one way, which is 25 percent less than the U.S. average. More than 85 percent of those who call the best commuter cities home get to the office in 29 minutes or less. Plus, among the cities on the list the percentage of mega-commuters is only 3 percent, which is nearly one-third of the national average.

A significant number of Pennsylvania's best commuter cities are located near metropolitan areas such as Wilkes-Barre, Scranton and Harrisburg, but the study found commuter-friendly cities in every region of the state.

On top of increasing stress levels and impacting overall well being, many people aren't aware that a long commute may increase their auto insurance premium. The good news is workers who have short commutes may enjoy more competitive auto insurance rates, and that's why we're recognizing the best commuter cities in Pennsylvania.

The report also stated the 40 worst commutes in the state. Four Monroe County townships are among the worst. Third from the bottom is Middle Smithfield Township, 45 minutes; Coolbaugh Township, 42.6 minutes; Chestnuthill Township, 42.2 minutes, and Stroud Township, 38.2 minutes.

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COURTESY OBRELLA

There are a number of ways a lengthy commute can have a negative impact on your quality of life.

--Research carried out by the University of California Los Angeles and California State University Long Beach, revealed that the number of miles driven each day had a stronger correlation with obesity than any other factor analyzed.

--A Swedish study reveals that when one partner in a marriage spends 45 minutes or more commuting, the relationship is 40 percent more likely to end in divorce.

--A Gallup Poll found that commuters who spend more than 90 minutes getting to work have an increased risk for neck problems and chronic back pain

--Research from Thomas James Christian of Brown University states that every minute of a commute is associated with a reduction in time spent exercising, preparing meals, and resting.

--When compared with those who have shorter commutes, people with longer commutes are more likely to feel tired, experience greater worry, and less enjoyment.

--Robert Putnam, a Political Scientist, discovered that people who endure long commutes have fewer "social connections." Putnam noted that a person's social connections are reduced by 10 percent for every 10 minutes they spend behind the wheel.

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