The 2022 Seattle Commute Survey found that Center City workers were more likely to work in person Tuesday through Thursday, while remote work was more common on Monday and Friday. Commute mode had shifted too: transit’s share of Center City commutes rose from its 2021 low but remained well below 2019, and driving alone was less common in 2022 than in 2019. These are findings from a survey reported in March 2023—not a count of Seattle commutes in 2026.
Which days were Center City workers most likely to commute in person?
In GeekWire’s March 2023 account of the 2022 survey, 39% of Center City workers teleworked on Tuesday and Wednesday, compared with 57% on Friday. The reported pattern points to more in-person work in the middle of the week and more remote work on Friday. It does not mean every worker followed the same schedule, and the cited figures do not establish Monday’s telework rate.
Commute Seattle’s description of the 2022 project says it covered people traveling to work and other destinations, and expanded beyond downtown. It gathered information about travel choices and motivations, origins and destinations, income, and travel options. The reported day-of-week figures above specifically describe Center City workers.
Were Seattle commuters taking transit again?
In the Center City commute-mode comparison reported by GeekWire, public transit’s share was 46% in 2019, fell to 18% in 2021, and rose to 22% in 2022. That is a recovery from the 2021 low, not a return to the 2019 level.
#1 Best Overall
- ✊【Upgraded LOVEVOOK Laptop Backpack for Women】: Smooth double LOVEVOOK no-slip metal zippers.NON-STAIN,water-resistant and durable polyester fabric.Cute and stylish color combination.FASHIONABLE AND FUNCTIONAL.Total of 4 compartments and 14 pockets for your computer,A4 folder,bottles,umbrellas,clothes,work supplies,college supplies and travel essentials.size: 12”L 17.5”H 8”D, weight: 1.85lb.
- ❤【Design for Large Capacity Cup】: Adjustable elastic strap, designed for convenience, custom-designed for Large Capacity Cups. With this water bottle pouch, you can easily carry your cup. Free your hands and take your water bottle accessories anywhere with ease. Well designed backpack purse for women.
- 💻【Padded Work Bags College Backpack】: The dedicated separate laptop compartment with cushioned cotton sewn around, has a dedicated separate 15.6-inch laptop pocket, a 9.7-inch iPad slot, fits your laptop perfectly and is padded for extra protection. It makes carrying your laptop so much easier.Professional and well made for work, business, travel, commuting, college, teacher, nurse, daily use as a practical gift for women.
- 🚀【Personal Item Travel Backpack】: Backpack for traveling on airplane,fits great under the seat on the plane! The adjustable and mesh airflow WELL-PADDED SHOULDER STRAPS are nice and cushioned so they don’t hurt your shoulders. The ANTI-THEFT POCKET on the back design and waterproof material give you peace of mind while traveling.The LUGGAGE STRAP DESIGN on the back that allows it to ship over your suitcase handle for an easy push through the airport!
- ✅【Practical Gifts & Quality warranty】: Super cute and stylish LOVEVOOK laptop bag for women.Practical gifts for all people you care about.Users'feelings are what we care about most.We LOVEVOOK backpack provide a 12-hour customer service, 30-day no-reason return and 1-year warranty policy.
How did driving alone change?
GeekWire reported that driving alone accounted for 26% of Center City commutes in 2019, 25% in 2021, and 21% in 2022. The 2022 share was lower than both comparison years. These figures are about Center City commute mode, not all trips made by Seattle residents.
| Center City commute mode | 2019 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public transit | 46% | 18% | 22% |
| Driving alone | 26% | 25% | 21% |
Source for the figures in the table: GeekWire’s March 2023 report on the 2022 Seattle Commute Survey. The percentages describe shares of Center City commutes as reported there; they should not be read as counts of commuters or as citywide mode shares.
Rank #2
- CLASSIC EVERYDAY BACKPACK: Our classic Borealis features a bungee cord system for storage and compression and has compartments and pockets to help keep your travel essentials organized.
- ERGONOMIC SUPPORT: Certified by the American Chiropractic Association, our FlexVent suspension system features articulated shoulder straps, a rounded back panel, stitch lines, and soft chemise fabric for comfortable, all-day shoulder and back support.
- SMART ORGANIZATION: Two external water bottle pockets double as multi-use pockets. The front compartment has an extra padded tablet sleeve and zip pockets. An external fleece-lined pocket stores small items or electronics.
- COMFORTABLE CARRY: This backpack has a top handle for easy grabbing and a removable waist belt for a custom fit. A sternum strap with a whistle buckle and 360-degree reflective details add extra support and safety.
- TECH SPECS: Dimensions: 12" x 6.5" x 19.5" (30.5 cm x 16.5 cm x 49.5 cm); Laptop Sleeve: 13.75" x 11.25"; Avg Weight: 2lbs 5oz; Volume: 28 Liters; This item is not intended for use by children 12 and under.
What a later Seattle survey found
Commute Seattle’s 2025 summary of a separate survey based on fall 2024 data described Tuesday through Thursday as the most common in-person days in Center City and Monday and Friday as the most common remote days. It also reported that fully remote jobs decreased by 8 percentage points citywide between 2022 and 2024. This later survey is a distinct dataset; its figures do not update the 2022 commute-mode percentages above or establish conditions in 2026.
The 2025 summary says the 2024 survey had more than 75,000 respondents, over 90% of whom were employees affected by Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) requirements. Commute Seattle describes the survey as a snapshot in time, rather than a permanent measure of travel behavior. Commute Seattle’s 2024 commute survey summary includes the later findings and that qualification.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #3
- LOTS OF STORAGE SPACE&POCKETS: One separate laptop compartment hold 15.6 Inch Laptop as well as 15 Inch,14 Inch and 13 Inch Laptop. One spacious packing compartment roomy for daily necessities,tech electronics accessories. Front compartment with many pockets, pen pockets and key fob hook, makes your item organized and easier to find
- COMPANY WITH YOU ANYWHERE: This backpack is Personal Item Backpack Size for frontier: 18 * 12 * 7.8 inch, meets most airlines. Made for flight travel and daily commutes, with organized pockets for clothes, a bottle, an umbrella, and tech accessories. Under seat backpack size easy to carry on and keeps your hands free—helping you feel prepared, calm, and accompanied from departure to arrival and enjoy your trip
- FUNCTIONAL & SAFE: A luggage strap allows backpack fit on luggage/suitcase, slide over the luggage upright handle tube for easier carrying. With a hidden anti theft pocket on the back protect your valuable items from thieves. Well made for international airplane travel and day trip as a travel gift for men
- COMFORTABLE USING: Designed for all-day comfort using, this laptop backpack for men features a soft padded back panel with thick yet breathable multi-layer ventilated cushioning that provides excellent support and helps reduce pressure on your back. The adjustable shoulder straps are breathable and ergonomically padded to ease shoulder strain, while the foam-padded top handle ensures a comfortable grip for extended carrying
- STURDY MATERIALS & SOLID: Made of Water Resistant and Sturdy Polyester Fabric with metal zippers. Ensure a secure & long-lasting usage everyday & weekend.Serve you well as professional office work bag,slim bagpack, back to college backpacks. 15.6 inch travel laptop backpack for daily using and organize
Who the survey represents—and what it cannot establish
Seattle’s CTR rules provide context for why covered employers and their employees are important to commute surveys. They do not make the survey a census of every Seattle resident or worker. The 2022 reporting cited here does not provide enough detail on sampling, weighting, or margin of error to claim that its percentages represent all workers equally.
For personal-finance decisions, the survey is useful as a description of broad patterns, not as a prediction of an individual’s costs or best commute. Whether transit, driving, cycling, or remote work makes sense depends on a person’s route, schedule, reliability needs, affordability, and family-care responsibilities—factors that vary by commuter.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- EVERYDAY USE: The much-loved Vault pack features a sleek modern design, a protective water-repellent finish, and a self-standing structure for easy access.
- ERGONOMIC SUPPORT: Endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association, FlexVent suspension is designed for comfort, featuring a flexible yoke with injection-molded shoulder straps, a padded mesh back panel and a breathable lumbar panel for ventilation.
- SMART ORGANIZATION: A streamlined front compartment keeps things tidy with zip pockets, a tablet sleeve and a key hook for your everyday essentials. On the outside, two water bottle pockets fit most 1L bottles for quick access to hydration on the go.
- SPACIOUS & PROTECTIVE: The spacious main compartment easily fits all your essentials and includes a padded laptop sleeve to help shield your computer from bumps and drops. Top grab handles offer quick access, while a sternum strap adds extra support.
- TECH SPECS: Dimensions: 11" x 8.5" x 18" (27.9 cm x 21.6 cm x 45.7 cm); Laptop Sleeve: 11.5" x 11"; Tablet Sleeve: 11.8 " x 6.3"; Avg Weight: 1 lb 11 oz; Volume: 27 Liters. This item is not intended for use by children 12 and under.
Sources and context
- GeekWire, March 16, 2023: reporting on the 2022 survey’s Center City workday patterns and commute-mode shares.
- Commute Seattle, 2022 commute survey project page: description of the survey’s scope.
- Commute Seattle, 2025 summary of fall 2024 survey data: subsequent findings and respondent context.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
