Katz: As Commutes Rise, Radio’s In-Car Advantage Grows Stronger.

More Americans are commuting to work in 2025, and that’s good news for radio. A new Katz Media Group analysis of YouGov workforce data shows that over 70% of employed adults now commute to a job outside the home — a sharp shift from pandemic-era work habits and a signal of increased opportunity for radio advertisers targeting on-the-go consumers.

According to the June 2025 data, commuting has jumped 29% since 2020, with every age group showing growth. Adults 30-44 lead the trend with a 74% rate of out-of-home work, followed by 78% of those 65 and older. Even younger workers are returning to the roads, with commuting among 18- to 29-year-olds up 41% over the past five years.

Katz says this steady rebound reflects the “new normal” of hybrid work, where many adults split their time between home and a business location, but increasingly, that balance is tipping toward the office. And when Americans hit the road, they’re bringing radio with them.

Radio: Dominating the Drive

With more people commuting, car usage is surging. This echoes earlier findings on rising traffic congestion in major metros, as downtown activity picks back up, Katz says. For radio, this means more time spent with a captive audience in the car, where it still reigns supreme.

According to Edison Research’s Share of Ear, nine out of every 10 minutes of ad-supported audio listening in the car is spent with AM/FM radio. That dominance translates into a powerful scale for advertisers looking to connect with consumers who are alert, mobile and often ready to take action.

A Prime Moment for Brands

For marketers, this growing mobile workforce represents a golden opportunity. Katz says radio’s unmatched in-car reach allows brands to engage audiences in the moment, while commuting to work, making purchasing decisions, or visiting retail locations.

“With Americans increasingly back on the road, time spent commuting is time spent listening,” the report concludes. “And radio delivers the reach, frequency and engagement advertisers need to make that time count.”