The New Normal of Commuting | Regionally and Locally

Metro Atlanta has settled into a stable, post-pandemic commute pattern. Not a return to 2019 and not the disruption of 2020, but a durable middle ground. The Atlanta Regional Commission’s 2025 Regional Commuter Survey confirms what many Buckhead employers and property managers are already experiencing: hybrid work is embedded, driving remains dominant, and commute behavior is shaped more by convenience than intention. When we compare those findings to Livable Buckhead’s 2025 commuter survey, the alignment is clear. Buckhead reflects the regional trend with local nuances that matter.

Hybrid Is Permanent and It’s Reshaping the Week

• ARC reports that 60 percent of workers telework at least occasionally, and full-time remote work has more than tripled since 2019.
• Mondays and Fridays now see the highest telework levels, while Tuesday through Thursday are peak office days.
• Buckhead sees the same rhythm. Monday through Thursday, telework remains moderate — but jumps to roughly 35 percent on Fridays.
• The five-day office week is no longer the norm. The three-day peak week is.
• For Buckhead’s office core, that explains compressed midweek demand for parking, food, and amenities.

Shorter Commutes, Same Driving Pattern

Regionally, average commute time has dropped slightly. But drive alone remains over 80 percent, and nearly 79 percent of commuters report free or subsidized parking. In Buckhead, distance doesn’t always equal accessibility. Nearly 70 percent of our respondents live within 20 miles of work, and almost 30 percent live within five miles. Yet only about 35 percent reach work in under 20 minutes. More than 45 percent spend 30+ minutes commuting, with many reporting 60+ minutes on the return trip. Even when miles are short, the experience can be long. Driving dominates Monday through Thursday, while transit, walking, and biking account for smaller shares.

Not Everyone Has Flexibility

ARC highlights uneven access to telework across industries and income levels. Buckhead’s data reflects the same reality. Our respondents represent corporate offices, retail, hospitality, healthcare, education, and self-employed professionals. Not everyone can log in from home. For many workers, the commute remains daily and unavoidable. Mobility strategies must reflect that diversity.

What Commuters Value

ARC found that commuters prioritize dependability, total travel time, flexibility, and stress reduction over environmental impact. Buckhead’s open responses echo this. Respondents cite stress, lost time, congestion, safety concerns, and gaps in bike and pedestrian connections. At the same time, they express appreciation for MARTA when accessible, PATH400 connectivity, and telework flexibility. The message is consistent: people want options that are reliable and connected.

The Opportunity and the Support Available

ARC notes that the biggest commute shifts happen at transition points, whether that’s a new job, a move, or a schedule change. Our local survey suggests strong readiness to engage. Eighty-four percent of respondents voluntarily shared their email to receive commuter resources. The gap isn’t willingness. It’s alignment. Convenience, especially free parking, reinforces that default. For employers navigating this new normal, support is available. The Georgia Commute Options FlexWork team offers free consulting to help organizations evaluate telework, hybrid scheduling, and flexible work strategies. Whether refining an existing policy or exploring new options, their team provides data-driven guidance tailored to your workforce. The regional data confirms the trend. Our local data confirms the lived experience.

Takeaways? Hybrid is permanent. Driving remains dominant. Policy and incentives shape behavior more than messaging alone.