In the United States, there has been an increase in the use of personal vehicles for transportation purposes, including chauffeuring children to and from school. In an effort to positively impact children’s daily physical activity levels, Healthy People 2010 has established objectives to increase the proportion of trips made by walking and biking (i.e., active commuting). Little is known, however, about the perceived barriers and/or resources for active commuting to school. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived barriers and/or resources of the journey to school among sixth grade boys and girls. METHODS: Three separate focus groups were conducted with children who reported commuting to school by car (i.e., passive commuters; N = 14) and by walking or biking (i.e., active commuters; N = 13). Each focus group lasted approximately 50 minutes, was tape recorded and later transcribed. All data were thoroughly coded and categorized to allow for patterns and themes to emerge. RESULTS: Among passive commuters, the most commonly stated reasons for not actively commuting were distance from home, safety concerns, and parent influence (i.e., parents chose commuting mode). Passive commuters repeatedly stated that if barriers, such as distance, were removed they would choose to walk or bike. Active commuters also expressed safety concerns, but felt that they lived close enough to walk or bike, enjoyed the journey to school with friends, and only chose an alternative mode if school projects, parents, or weather served as influences. Overall, for both passive and active commuters, safety and traffic concerns emerged as consistent themes. CONCLUSIONS: This qualitative study provides information relevant to the examination of commuting choices among children. It also reveals barrier and/or resource themes that may inform interventions aimed at promoting safe, active commuting among youth.