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10 Pro Tips To Make Your Long Commute Not Suck

By Christopher Post

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About three months ago, I started to make a three-hour round-trip commute to work five days a week. I drive through upstate New York on an empty freeway, so it’s scenic and smooth—but it's still a commute, and it's still five days a week. Now that I've gotten used to it, I'm realizing there are some things that would have made life so much easier if I'd known them from day one. Here are 10 of the most important ones.

1. There’s a podcast for anything and everything.

Are you into board games? There's a podcast for that. Are you into true crime stories? There's a podcast for that. Are you into sports, but you wish analysts were a tad more intellectual? There's a podcast for that, too.

2. Siri makes a great DJ.

The new Siri is amazing when combined with Apple Music and the Apple Watch. All you have to do is say, “Hey Siri, play...” and she'll handle the rest. Want to know what the number one song was the day you were born? Just ask, because Siri has got that shizz on standby. Honestly, it's been as much fun experimenting with different music commands as it has been listening to the results. BTW, my birthday song is "Jump" ** by Van Halen.

3. Lumbar support is a non-negotiable when you drive so much.

About a month into my new commute, I started experiencing excruciating pain in my back and right leg. Turns out I'd slipped a disc. Did the commute cause it to slip? Maybe. Did the commute slip it quicker? Probably. My physical therapist recommended a lumbar roll, which is a firm pillow that you wedge between your lower back and the seat of the car. It forces you into much better posture , which helps to relieve the pain. I carry mine around like a kid with his favorite stuffy. You can pick up a cheap lumbar support on Amazon , or even roll up a towel for a makeshift version.

4. Long commutes come with legit fuel rewards.

I enrolled in a gas station rewards program, so now I get two points for every dollar I spend on fuel, food, or whatever. I also save five cents a gallon for every $100 I spend, which isn't much, but it’s something. There are even several credit cards, gas station and otherwise, that offer as much as 3 percent cash back on fuel purchases.

5. It’s all about the cruise control.

This won't work for everyone's commute, but like I said, mine is on a usually empty freeway. Cruise control reduces my driving fatigue and keeps me from getting nabbed by the popo.

10 Pro Tips To Make Your Long Commute Not Suck

Paramount Pictures / via Tumblr

6. ESPN streams all of their live radio programming.

I am a walking encyclopedia of football knowledge—both college and pro—all thanks to ESPN Radio. About a month after my commute started, and a few days after my subscription to Sirius XM ran out, I discovered that ESPN’s live radio programming is free to stream on a smartphone. Now I spend my mornings with "Mike & Mike."

7. I need to make my own coffee.

SMH, that sh*t is expensive.

8. The GPS app Waze is bae.

Waze, powered by Google, goes beyond just giving you directions. It actually changes your route in real-time if it can get you to your destination quicker. Waze is driven (pardon the pun) by user-generated data, which means that if I'm in a traffic jam, it will recognize the slowdown and automatically send that data to other users. Since you can also self-report construction zones, road hazards, and inclement weather, Waze has helped me avoid some serious delays. And the best part? You can report speed traps!

9. Maintaining a car costs a lot of money.

I've never put this kind of stress on a car before. Three hours a day for five days a week is tough on my car, and I'm up to 260,000 miles and counting. Just last week I had to drop a mint on new tires. Word of advice: if you're signing up for a long commute, work repairs and regular maintenance into your budget .

10. Music-Map.com is a thing.

I inevitably get bored with "Mike & Mike" and the infinite amount of podcasts available, so some days I turn to music to get through my commute. However, I'm a finicky consumer. Sometimes I get sick of that one album by that one artist, but want to listen to something similar. With Music-Map.com , you type in the name of an artist and get a scatterplot of sorts. In the center is the artist you chose, and the artists surrounding the center point are musically similar. The closer the peripheral artists are to the central artist, the more alike they are. Music-Map.com made it easy to jump from Grimes to Purity Ring to Crystal Castles in three easy steps, meaning there's always something new to jam to.

ITV / via Tumblr

Photo Credit: Mike Vasilyev / Unsplash

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

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The Most Satisfying Commuter Cars

The vehicles that subscribers say take the pain out of driving to work

Accidents, traffic, road closures, and jerks who won’t let you merge. These are all part of what you can encounter on your daily commute—sometimes within the first few miles. Add an unpleasant driving experience to that mix, and it’s no wonder surveys show that people who commute regularly are pretty frustrated and tired. According to the 2013 American Community Survey, the average full-time worker in the U.S. has a 26-minute commute to work—almost five hours a week for a daily round-trip commute.

So while commuting is a chore, there are ways to make it more tolerable. Assuming you’re set on driving for whatever reason (schedule, limited mass transit options, can’t bike to work), choosing the right vehicle will go a long way to lowering commute-based stress levels.

In this year’s Annual Auto Survey, we gathered owner satisfaction data on about 230,000 vehicles less than three years old. One of the things we asked our subscribers was how satisfying their vehicles were for commuting, and to give us specifics about why their vehicle was the ideal commuter car.

The list is presented in rank order, counting down from the most satisfying, the Tesla Model S.

1) Tesla Model S

This sporty four-door luxury car seats five (or seven with the optional rear-facing jump seats) and just happens to be electric. With its optional 85-kWh battery—the largest available—it can travel between 180 and 225 miles per charge and can be fully charged in as little as five hours on a dedicated Tesla connector. Performance is exceptional, with thrilling acceleration, pinpoint handling, and a firm yet comfortable ride. A huge iPad-like center screen controls many functions. Drawbacks include tight access, restricted visibility, and range limitations, especially in cold weather. All-wheel drive, Autopilot active safety features, and the 691-hp P85D performance model are also available. Although tops for owner satisfaction, predicted reliability slid this year to be worse than average.

Subscribers said: “It is a joy to drive: comfortable, agile, responsive, quiet, and ‘green.’” “Driver assist and cruise control with tracking are very convenient for routine rush hour stop and go traffic.” “Auto Pilot 1.0 keeps a safe distance between my car and others; Quiet; Comfortable; Navigation automatically adjusts to the fastest route (huge when the 405 is backed up).”

Read our complete Tesla Model S road test .

2) Chevrolet Volt

An electric car with a backup engine to extend its typical 35-mile electric range, the Volt is quick, quiet, and responsive, with a taut ride. Its four-seat capacity limits practicality, the rear seat is cramped, and visibility is poor. Once the lithium-ion battery is depleted, the 1.4-liter engine acts as a generator to extend the range by 315 miles. We averaged the equivalent of 99 mpg in electric mode and 32 mpg—on premium—when it switched over to gasoline. Recharging takes 4 hours using a 240-volt supply and 10 hours with 120 volts. For 2015, the battery storage capacity was increased from 16 to 17.1 kWh, probably leading to more EV-only miles. A redesigned 2016 Volt is now on sale, with a promised 53-mile electric-only range.

Subscribers said: “Essentially I gave myself a raise. My electric bill increased about $100 overall. However my employer has free charging stations at work, so I no longer pay the cost of commuting home. The HOV sticker took me about 60 seconds to appreciate.” “Able to complete my daily commute using no gas on most days. The car is much more comfortable than I anticipated. Nice to see an American manufacturer stepping up to the plate with a great EV.” “My wife uses this car for her daily commute. She can do so easily on battery alone, even on the coldest days. We then recharge overnight in the garage at a fraction of the cost of a gasoline powered vehicle. The car is smooth, comfortable and quiet.

Read our complete Chevrolet Volt road test .

Nissan Nissan

3) Nissan Leaf

The electric Leaf has a 75-mile typical range. A full charge took us six-hours using a 240-volt outlet, but charge times have been shortened since our tests. We measured the equivalent of 106 mpg, and running costs are 3.5-cents per mile at the national average of 11-cents per kWh. The ride is comfortable, but handling isn’t particularly agile. The rear seat is roomy, but the cargo area is rather small. Standard features include a heated steering wheel and seats, and top models get electric heating that uses 30-percent less energy. Unfortunately, the Leaf scored a Poor in the IIHS small-overlap crash test. For 2016, SV and SL versions can be equipped with a 30 kWh battery with a claimed 107-mile range.

Subscribers said: “This car is pretty much a perfect commuter car. Plenty of power, comfortable and super quiet. And of course it NEVER NEEDS GAS!!!” “Perfect commuter car, can use HOV lane, CHEAP to operate, enough range for daily commute and more.”

Read our complete Nissan Leaf road test .

4) Ford C-Max

Based on the Focus compact car, the five-passenger C-Max hybrid is a clever, quiet, spacious, and practical hatchback. It rides well and handles with agility. Regenerative braking helps with fuel economy but makes the brake pedal feel touchy. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder and electric motor deliver adequate acceleration and seamless transitions between gas and electric power, and the C-Max can run in electric mode up to about 40 mph. We measured an excellent 37 mpg overall. The Energi plug-in can travel in electric-only mode for about 18 miles before reverting to hybrid operation. It takes six hours to charge on 120-volt and two hours on 240-volt. For the 2016 model year, Sync 3 replaces the much-maligned MyFord Touch infotainment system.

Subscribers said: “Great car, great gas mileage. Plenty of room. This has become the most popular car in the house.” “98% of my commuting and local driving is within the approximate 25-mile range for this car to run 100% on a battery charge from when I was last at home. Thus, the vast majority of my use is electric with only a tiny bit of gasoline mileage.”

Read our complete Ford C-Max road test .

5) Lexus ES

Lexus ultimately hurt the ride comfort and made the controls overly complex with the current ES. In our tests, the powerful 3.5-liter V6 and six-speed automatic got a good 25 mpg overall. The ride is on the stiff side and is made worse with the optional 18-inch wheels. Handling is sound but unexceptional. Inside, the quiet cabin looks good at first, but some cheap touches are apparent. The control interface is distracting and convoluted. For those who don’t care about the best driving dynamics, the ES is a simpler, roomier alternative to similarly-priced sports sedans. The hybrid is more appealing, in our opinion, thanks to its combination of size and luxury, and class-leading 36 mpg overall and 44 on the highway in our tests. But after all, a Toyota Camry provides much of the same for less money.

Subscribers said: “Good pickup, blind-spot monitoring, smooth ride, quiet.” “Amazingly quiet and gets excellent gas mileage for the size car.”

Read our complete Lexus ES road test .

Mike Ditz Mike Ditz

Whether as a sedan or hatchback, the Mazda3 is fun to drive, thanks to its great handling. At 33 mpg, the Mazda3 is the most fuel-efficient compact that isn’t a hybrid or a diesel. It also offers a host of luxury features rarely matched by any other small car, including a multimedia system with a large center screen and active safety features like a blind-spot monitoring system. Despite the owner takes below, our testers found that the Mazda3 tends to be loud on the highway, and ride comfort isn’t stellar. The multimedia controls can be daunting at first and take a while to master, and other compact sedans have roomier rear seats.

Subscribers said: “Excellent acceleration; easy to change speeds in slow traffic; good gas mileage.” “Gets great gas mileage, love the car, it's quiet and very comfortable.”

Read our complete Mazda3 road test .

7) Subaru Legacy

The Legacy is one of the roomier, quieter, and more refined midsized sedans, helping it become our top-scoring car in the class. Its ride is better than some luxury cars, and handling is sound and secure. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder is no rocket, but it gets the job done and returns 26 mpg overall. A stronger, quieter 3.6-liter six-cylinder is also available. The unobtrusive continuously variable transmission behaves much like a conventional automatic. The infotainment improvements include a 6.2-inch touch screen and multifunction display with Internet radio and Bluetooth. New safety features include a standard rear-view camera and an available rear radar system with blind-spot, cross-traffic, and lane-change warnings.

Subscribers said: “Excellent visibility, top of the line vehicle with all of the latest safety features, excellent engine and CVT transmission. All wheel drive—expect it will provide excellent traction during upcoming winter.” “I love the safety features of the vehicle. They have prevented problems in high-density traffic.”

Read our complete Subaru Legacy road test .

8) Toyota Prius

The Prius is extremely economical, averaging 44 mpg overall and 55 mpg on the highway in our tests. With light throttle input, it can quietly drive on electric power up to 25 mph. The ride is firm yet steady, and handling is sound and secure though not particularly agile. Road noise is pronounced. The interior is roomy, but fit and finish is just so-so and some controls take time to master. The plug-in version typically delivers around 12 miles on electricity, boosting mileage to the equivalent of 67 mpg. When the electric range is depleted, the car reverts to regular Prius performance, averaging 43 mpg overall. A redesigned Prius, with an EPA-estimated 52 mpg combined, goes on sale in early 2016.

Subscribers said: “I can get on the HOV lane when driving alone, which saves me a great deal of time on a very long commute. I save a great deal of money on gas and feel very good about helping the planet.” “The Prius is excellent on gas mileage because of it's electric/gas hybrid system. I can now drive to work using gasoline to propel my car, half of the time, saving big on gas costs, as well as helping the environment.”

Read our complete Toyota Prius road test .

Honda Honda

9) Honda Accord

The four-cylinder Accord is well-equipped, competitively priced, and performs well, making it one of our top-rated family sedans. It handles responsively, though the ride can be choppy. It has a roomy and well-finished interior, and gets 30 mpg overall with its unobtrusive CVT. The 3.5-liter V6 is lively and refined, and gets a very good 26 mpg overall. But the infotainment system on high-end versions is unintuitive. The Hybrid model returned 40 mpg overall but is on a hiatus for 2016; Honda has promised to bring it back with an updated powertrain in 2017.

Subscribers said: “Excellent handling-sport model. Great gas mileage. Roomy, comfortable, great view on all sides while driving, easy to drive. Feels like quality. Reliability history solid.” “Its excellent fuel economy, good handling, comfortable seats, and smooth transmission make it an economical and enjoyable vehicle in which to commute.”

Read our complete Honda Accord road test .

10) Volkswagen Passat

The midsized Passat sedan has a lot going for it, including generous interior space, responsive handling, and a comfortable, quiet ride. The primary powertrain is an energetic 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder and a six-speed automatic. High-end versions use a powerful 3.6-liter V6. The 1.8-liter turbo averaged a very good 28 mpg overall and 39 on the highway. Front seats are accommodating but very firm. Extra-spacious rear seats are a big plus, and the trunk is huge, but fit and finish is more mundane than spectacular. We tested the Passat diesel, but the evaluation took place prior to the EPA notification of emissions violations . We will retest the Passat once a recall repair is completed.

Subscribers said: “Comfortable, quiet ride with great sound system to listen to back and forth to work. Great gas mileage!” “Comfortable ride. Great fuel mileage. Rear leg room and spacious trunk.”

Read our complete Volkswagen Passat road test .

Jon Linkov is the deputy auto editor at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2002, covering varied automotive topics including buying and leasing, maintenance and repair, ownership, reliability, used cars, and electric vehicles. He manages CR’s lineup of special interest publications, hosts CR’s “ Talking Cars ” podcast, and writes and edits content for CR’s online and print products. An avid cyclist, Jon also enjoys driving his ’80s-era sports car and instructing at track days.

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Nyc super-commuters travel up to 5 hours round-trip to the office. they say it’s worth it.

An hour before dawn on any given Tuesday across the tri-state area, the lights are on and the coffee is brewing.

Super-commuting offers New Yorkers both a career and affordability

Vennard and his wife bought their home around a decade ago, deciding the larger property and robust local community was a worthwhile tradeoff; his wife stays home, which means the commute is his sacrifice alone. “We could’ve moved 20, 30 miles closer, but it would’ve saved me like 20 minutes. What does 20 minutes add to my real quality of life? Not much,” he says.

Likewise, Crandall bought her house 15 years ago because she enjoys living down the Shore. She sees her 15 weekly hours of commuting—give or take—as necessary for maintaining the lifestyle she’s been able to build.

In New York City, housing costs were a factor for super-commuters long before the pandemic, Mitchell Moss, a professor of urban policy and planning at New York University, told Fortune . The 21st century was emerging as “the century of the super-commuter,” he wrote back in 2012. Between 2002 and 2009, eight of the 10 largest U.S. metro areas showed growth in super-commuting, Moss found . Separate research from Apartment List finds that the number of U.S.-based super-commuters grew 45% between 2010 and 2019, more than triple the growth rate of the overall workforce.

Now, Moss says, “distributed work has made it much more feasible” for people like Kaminsky, who can't yet afford the city but still want a well-paying job. The 2020 college graduate says he sees super-commuting as a temporary measure until he has more of a financial cushion that would allow him to afford New York rent: The typical one-bedroom runs $4,095 a month these days, 20% more than just three years ago.

“I’ve been doing this for almost a year and a half. [I’d rather] take another year to build more substantial savings [instead of] moving to New York as early as I can and blowing a big chunk of my savings, which feels like going in a downward spiral,” he says.

His “amazing” coworkers and the city’s euphoric energy make it well worth the hassle, he adds, but maybe that’s because he’s only in the office two days a week. “I knew what I was signing up for,” he says. “But I would never do this five days a week.”

But super-commuting isn’t without its aggravations

There’s something to be said for a commute that doesn't involve driving, which all three workers have. Psychologists refer to a person’s time in transit as a liminal space , a period in which one can detach and recover from work without yet taking on their role at home. This was lost during the pandemic, leading to role blurring and increased worker stress. Just ask Crandall, who says she used to have a “relaxing” commute, which allowed her to read a ton of books and watch movies on her iPad.

But the pandemic has soured the experience for her. One would think a hybrid super-commute would be more manageable than the five-day one she’s familiar with, but it feels worse for Crandall after dealing with no commute during remote work.

“I spent almost three years not commuting, and I realized how badly it’s screwed with my life,” she says, admitting she’ll sometimes call in sick on days she feels she can’t handle it. “I try to go in on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday just to get it over with. But now I hit Wednesday night and I’m just done.” It doesn’t help that her train ride has only gotten longer as the NJTransit added more stops during the pandemic, curtailing its express service.

The evening commute is just as bad as the morning. As each of the super-commuters pointed out, a five-minute conversation with the boss at the end of the day can mean an extra 40 minutes to get home. “And then your whole day is blown up,” Crandall says, adding there are very few benefits to commuting. “It’s expensive. It’s aggravating, especially when you’re dealing with some of these absolutely horrendous transit agencies.”

Vennard describes having to “force himself” out of the office by a certain minute. If he were local, he’d otherwise want to leave when the work is done. “I don’t have the luxury of just sitting at my desk until I’m ready. I always have my eye on the clock.” Impromptu drinks or after-hours bonding “just doesn’t happen for me,” he adds.

But his biggest issue is the omnipresent worry that something will happen at home, and he’ll be unable to get there for two hours. It hasn’t happened yet, he says, but the thought of doubling back—which he’s done for non-emergency needs and has meant upwards of five hours of transit in one day—remains a constant concern.

“But it’s a worthwhile trade,” he contends. “I’m looking out my window right now and I have a big green lawn and a pool in my backyard.”

Commuting for community

Any commute beyond 20 minutes “really affects” your life, well-being, happiness, and satisfaction, Florida, the Toronto professor, says. “To my mind, long commutes—especially by car—are very deleterious. It’s a lot of wasted time.”

But, he acknowledges: “We need community; we need each other.”

Moss, the NYU professor, is of a similar mindset. He believes the office remains vital, even with the slog and stress of a super commute and the flexibility we’ve enjoyed in a remote-work world. “We’re underrating the desire for human contact,” he says. “There’s more information conveyed through your eyes and your smile than anything that can be captured on Zoom , which doesn’t allow for bonding.”

Just ask Vennard. While he says he “hates” his commute, he’s more productive, a more understanding manager, and feels his work is more valuable once he’s in the building.

And, despite the five hours a day spent commuting, Crandall admits it’s a choice she continually makes. She doesn’t think she’d enjoy living in the city, and the ride is mostly passive. While she’s recently browsed housing listings in a handful of North Jersey towns that would ease her commute, she says the property market has become unaffordable. Feeling that a fully remote arrangement would never fly in her industry, she’s abandoned hope of giving up her commute any time soon.

Three years out of college, Kaminsky insists he won’t remain alongside Vennard and Crandall for long. His parents have always worked in Fairfield County; he laughs that he’s a proud first-generation super commuter.

“But I’m not jaded yet,” he says. “Super-commuting is a rite of passage. Being physically in Manhattan is a big motivator.”

And by the way, he adds, millions of people have done this every day for years. “It sounds totally insane, but I’m at the point that I don’t even think twice about it now.”

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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Average US Commute: How Much Waste Commuting in Your Lifetime (by City)

Since 2012, Brett Helling has built expertise in the rideshare and delivery sectors, working with major platforms like Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash.

He acquired Ridester.com in 2014, the first ridesharing marketplace, leveraging his direct experience to enhance the site. His insights at Ridester are recognized by Forbes, Vice, and CNBC.

Expanding his reach, Brett founded Gigworker.com and authored “ Gigworker: Independent Work and the State of the Gig Economy “, demonstrating his comprehensive knowledge of the gig economy.

More about Brett | How we publish content

Key Takeaways

The average US commute time is 52.2 minutes per day, with some states facing over 100 hours lost per year due to congestion.
The longest commutes are found in California, New York, and Pennsylvania, influenced by dense populations and congested cities.
States like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming enjoy the shortest commutes due to less traffic and closer living and working locations.
Over a lifetime, Americans spend an average of 408 days commuting, with the trend towards longer commutes potentially affecting sleep, productivity, and quality of life.

For a growing number of people, it is becoming more difficult to endure the average US commute.

It is no wonder why there is an ever-growing list of ridesharing companies that have completely revolutionized the model of car-sharing .

It can be particularly frustrating when a commuter has no choice but to sit in traffic because of congestion, housing preferences, or sheer distance alone.

Whatever the contributing factors are, America is seeing a consistent increase in average commute time.

What this portion of the population knows all too well is that a long commute can negatively affect the sleep habits, productivity, and quality of life of American workers, it can also induce road rage .

However, not all states or cities are experiencing these changes equally.

Find out the average US commute by state, and which have the worst commute and which have the shortest commute.

What does your commute mean for the environment?

Find out with our interactive car polution map .

Interactive Map By City and State
States with the longest commute
States with the shortest commute
How Long of a Commute is Too Long?
Making the Best Out of Your Commute
Methodology

What is the Average US Commute in 2023?

In short, the cost of commuting is huge.

The average US commute time is 52.2 minutes a day commuting to and from work, but in many parts of the country, things are even worse.

Over the course of just a week, that’s 4.35 hours a week spent commuting .

According to the Inrix Global Scorecard , US states with the longest commutes hav e lost over 100 hours per year with over $1,500 per driver expended due to congestion .

This figure, calculated by the Census Bureau, indicates that this 2019 commuter data is steadily increasing from previous records.

Projecting this figure over years and decades becomes even more astounding.

While an increase of a few minutes over a few years or between states might not seem like a drastic change, these increments multiply into losses in productivity in the big picture.

The financial impact of traffic on residents of a city can be as simple as wasted gas or as intricate as delayed transportation workers raising housing costs.

That got us thinking — how many days does the average person spend commuting to and from work over the course of their life?

We did the math for nearly 1,000 US cities.

The average American loses 408 days of their life commuting, and in many areas, the toll is even higher.

Using the interactive map below, you can see how many days of your life you can expect to be in the car.

How to Use the Interactive Average US Commute Map

The above map is interactive and easy to use.

If you want to see commute times in your area, simply click the pin icon on the upper-left corner of the map, and it will zoom into your city (assuming you aren’t using a VPN).

You can also click the magnifying glass to search by city name if you don’t want to use your IP location.

From there, simply click on the nearest dot on the map and you’ll see data on that area’s average daily round trip commute time in minutes as well as the total number of days you can expect to spend commuting over your career.

One note for mobile users — you may find the map tool displays better if you flip your device to display horizontally.

So, are you rethinking your commute yet?

Average Commute per State

If you live in or near a densely populated city, you know from experience that this is where much of the country’s congestion lies.

With astronomical populations, many jobs, and popular routes, it is no wonder that the densest cities produce the longest commutes.

Here are the longest-commuting states:

Pennsylvania

Whether workers are navigating within a city or traveling to and from a hot spot, the transit times quickly add up.

California suffers from long commute times because of its numerous congested cities such as Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Pennsylvania, on the other hand, sees longer commutes due to the more spread out housing community like East Stroudsburg and congested cities like Philadelphia.

Short commute times are an advantage that may be due to proximal living and working locations or lighter traffic.

Depending on the type of job the population holds, they could be more prone to living on-site, closer to work, or driving on open roads.

Here are the states with the shortest commutes:

North Dakota
South Dakota

These sprawling and slow-paced states offer great benefits to workers who don’t want to waste their days on a commute.

When the US Census started collecting data on daily commutes in 1980, the average time it took for citizens to travel to work was 21.7 minutes .

Over three decades, that average shifted up a staggering 20 percent.

In 2016, the average commute was 26 minutes.

Yet, the portion of commutes which were 45 minutes or longer is growing steadily to a solid 17% compared to only 12% of the 1980 population traveling for 45 minutes or more.

vector graphic showing a vehicle travelling down a street along a line marker to illustrate the getaround mileage limit

The concern lies in a steady increase in commute times.

With more and more time in the day being lost to traveling, it seems like the effect on productivity and even sleep can only be negative.

As we all know, there is no time to spare on this growing problem.

While the recent lockdown procedures between 2020 and 2023 significantly decreased traffic in even the most high-traffic areas, this lull would not last forever.

Already, many areas have returned or surpassed the pre-Covid levels to indicate that the problem of growing commutes is not gone yet.

Considering the effects longer commutes have on workers’ sleep habits, productivity, and quality of life, this is an issue that will continue to grow more concerning, especially as many have tasted the freedom of easier drives and remote working during the pandemic.

Though we all hope to see reform and improvements in the tortuous daily commutes, we can still make the best of our lot until quicker and more efficient methods are introduced.

Perhaps the best remedy to the curse of a long drive is to transform your attitude about it.

Here are some ways that you can take back control of your day and enjoy your drive even when it is longer than you’d prefer:

Queue up a new podcast or audiobook to listen to on the road. Engaging your mind and your ears is a safe and productive way to spend the extra time.
Use this quiet time in the morning and night to pray or meditate. Reflecting and processing through your day can take away the stress of the moment and get you ready to hit the ground running.
Look into getting a car with great gas mileage . This will save you money in the long run, even if you don’t think it will.
With hands-free technology readily available, ask your device to call a friend or family member to have a low-key chat during your commute.
Ask around to carpool with local coworkers. The extra company and sustainable driving will instantly improve the trip.

You can also get creative and get paid for car advertising , turning those dead miles into cash.

vector graphic showing how to advertise on my car

Car wrap companies like Wrapify or Carvertise will pay you to wrap your car and drive around, giving valuable exposure to brands looking to expand.

The irritation of congested commutes arises in all Americans who have woes of wasted time, lost sleep, and stressful driving.

While there is no simple solution to these large-scale problems, awareness and acceptance can provide at least short-term relief from this frustrating reality.

If you are considering moving to one of these traffic hotspots, be sure to investigate your driving routes and how they may affect the environment and your mental health.

But in the meantime, adopt some of these tips to make the drive more enjoyable.

And don’t forget to use a mileage tracker app to track your miles, potentially saving you money during tax time!

Happy driving!

So, how did we calculate the number of days you can expect to spend commuting in your life in each city?

For the purposes of this study, we assumed the average person starts full-time work at 18 (some people start earlier, others a bit later).

We also know the average retirement age is 63 in the United States .

That’s 45 years of working a full-time job.

We then worked from the assumption that most people work about 250 days per year, which accounts for 2 weeks annual vacation and time off.

That’s 11,250 days of working/commuting over a career.

From here, we simply used data from the US Census Bureau on average daily roundtrip commute times for nearly 1,000 cities and towns across the country and then did the math.

Credit for creation of the map goes to: Leaflet | qgis2web Map tiles by Stamen Design , under CC BY 3.0 . Data by OpenStreetMap , under ODbL .

1 thought on “Average US Commute: How Much Waste Commuting in Your Lifetime (by City)”

Hello Brett! I am currently writing a research paper on a similar topic; I was wondering if you could possibly share your data set with me? It would be very helpful.

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The top 10 US cities where workers have the longest commutes

Long commutes to and from work, on top of long hours at work, are part of why many Americans are dissatisfied with their employment situations, studies have shown.

One found that adding just 20 minutes to your commute could make you as unhappy as taking a 19 percent pay cut . Another found that 23 percent of workers have quit a job because of a bad commute .

To find where workers are spending the most time in transit, online life-insurance agency Haven Life, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, " calculated the average round-trip commute time and other statistics about its residents' journey to work," such as the ratio of working hours to commuting hours and the percentage of workers commuting over two hours a day.

Based on that data, here are the top 10 US cities where workers have the longest commutes:

1. Palmdale, California

Average round-trip commute: 85.4 minutes Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 5.3:1 Share of the population commuting over two hours round-trip per day: 35 percent

2. New York, New York

Average round-trip commute: 81.6 minutes Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 5.8:1 Share of the population commuting over two hours round-trip per day: 26.1 percent

3. Jersey City, New Jersey

Average round-trip commute: 73.6 minutes Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 6.4:1 Share of the population commuting over two hours round-trip per day: 18.7 percent

Haven Life: Increasing commute times for U.S. workers

4. Corona, California

Average round-trip commute: 73.4 minutes Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 6.2:1 Share of the population commuting over two hours round-trip per day: 23.6 percent

5. Newark, New Jersey

Average round-trip commute: 71 minutes Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 6.3:1 Share of the population commuting over two hours round-trip per day: 20.6 percent

6. Santa Clarita, California

Average round-trip commute: 69.8 minutes Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 6.6:1 Share of the population commuting over two hours round-trip per day: 19.7 percent

7. Chicago, Illinois

Average round-trip commute: 69.2 minutes Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 6.7:1 Share of the population commuting over two hours round-trip per day: 16.2 percent

These are the top 12 best-paying jobs of 2019

8. Moreno Valley, California

Average round-trip commute: 68.6 minutes Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 6.5:1 Share of the population commuting over two hours round-trip per day: 17.1 percent

9. Yonkers, New York

Average round-trip commute: 68.6 minutes Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 6.7:1 Share of the population commuting over two hours round-trip per day: 20.4 percent

10. Naperville, Illinois

Average round-trip commute: 67.4 minutes Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 6.9:1 Share of the population commuting over two hours round-trip per day: 18.7 percent

"True to the Golden State's reputation for long commutes and traffic jams, four of the 10 cities with the longest commutes are in California," says Haven Life. "The New York metropolitan area is also notable, with New York City, Newark, Jersey City and Yonkers all making the list."

Still, long treks to work aren't unique to those cities. They're becoming more common nationwide. "Americans' daily commutes have been increasing for nearly three decades," the report finds. "Since 1990, the average worker has added a full eight minutes to their commute."

Meanwhile, fewer people live close to their jobs, the report finds: "This coincides with a decrease in the number of Americans with very short commutes (less than 20 minutes round trip), which slid from 14.3 percent of workers in 2009 to 12.7 percent in 2017."

Here's what it's like to live on $50K a year in NYC

A similar report from real-estate website Apartment List found that, nationwide, one in 36 commuters spend over 90 minutes just getting to work . That qualifies them as "super-commuters."

Some super-commuters make a conscious choice to live far afield so that they can get more space for their money. Danny Finlay, a 30-year-old PR representative in San Francisco, travels four hours and 140 miles every day from Dixon, California, so he can live in a three-bedroom home with a swimming pool. He estimates that he saves around $15,000 to $18,000 per year by not living in the Bay Area.

Other workers with lengthy commutes, though, are just doing what they must, living far from their jobs because exurbs or outer boroughs are all they can afford. Sydney Bennet, a senior research associate at Apartment List, explains that many jobs are concentrated in cities where high housing costs can push workers further and further out, particularly in pricey places like California and New York.

The commute might be the necessary trade-off for them, Bennet tells CNBC Make It : "So, maybe they don't want to live in an urban city, but that's where the jobs are, and so they make that sacrifice to live where they want to live."

Like this story? Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube!

Don't miss: This 30-year-old commutes 4 hours, and 140 miles, every day so he doesn't have to pay $4,500-a-month San Francisco rent

The 4 biggest mistakes first-time homebuyers make

'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?

ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.

When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.

ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

4 tech gadgets you need for a long commute

Nothing's worse than an extra-long commute, but having the right tech can make a grueling hour(s)-long journey to the office fly by. I super commute into New York City a few days a week to work from the ZDNET office, with a journey that involves taking a car and multiple trains, and walking. I've been able to put my job reviewing handy tech gadgets like MagSafe battery packs , MagSafe wallets and accessories , and more to good use during these commutes to figure out which products are the most helpful in daily life.

These are the top four products I'd recommend to anyone new or seasoned in super-commuting. They've kept my phone's battery boosted throughout the long days going to and from the office and my 2.5-hour trips to and from the office enjoyable.

Also: Everything you need for commuting

My favorite tech for a long commute

Casely power pod.

For anyone who commutes regularly (especially if it's a longer haul), a battery pack is a must to keep your phone powered up. As a young woman traveling alone, a fully charged phone is essential in the event of an accident or emergency. Aside from that, though, my phone keeps me occupied during my 5-hour round trip commute.

Since I test MagSafe battery packs for ZDNET, I've tried both some great options, and some that missed the mark. But the Casely Power Pod is the battery pack I always have on me. Its design features a smaller footprint than competitors, it's lightweight, ergonomic and comfortable to hold on my phone, it's a great size for portability, and it perfectly matches my iPhone case. Based on my own testing, it boosted my phone 36% in just an hour, and I still had extra juice left over. I always make an effort to charge my phone before leaving the office, but in the chance that I don't, I keep this power pod handy.

Also: Finally, a MagSafe battery pack that doesn't look like a brick (and it's 25% off, too)

Power Pod users on Reddit said they liked its great design and fit on their iPhones, the fun colors and designs, and the handy on/off button positioned on the front of the pack. One Redditor even said they preferred the Power Pod over packs from Anker and Apple. However, some thought the Casely pod got too warm to handle. No matter your preference, carrying a battery pack of some kind is a smart move, especially for on-the-move individuals.

Also: The best MagSafe battery packs of 2024: Expert tested

Casetify Snappy Cardholder + Stand

A MagSafe wallet is another essential that I can't commute without. Since I frequently test MagSafe wallets, I've had the chance to try many different styles, card capacities, and features during my actual commute, so when I say this Casetify cardholder lets me access one card speedily and with ease, I really mean it.

On the days when I don't need or want to carry a ton of cards, this cardholder is just enough for arguably my most important one in my wallet -- my NJ Transit SmartLink card. Not only can I whip this out easily at turnstiles, but the Casetify cardholder gives me a secure place to quickly stow it away, too. Plus it comes in several fun colors and styles, and doubles as a phone stand once I'm settled in the office.

Also: The best MagSafe wallets of 2024: Expert tested

Casetify Snappy Cardholder users on Amazon said they liked the numerous patterns and designs offered, the quick storage for their card, and the super fast kickstand feature that snaps up and into place instantly. However, some customers said the cardholder "catches" too often on their back pockets.

Birdie Personal Safety Alarm

This may not be a commuting essential for everyone, but as a 20-something woman who travels alone in and out of the busiest metropolitan areas in the nation, it's a must. I've carried this Birdie personal alarm all throughout college, and have continued to do so since. While I hope to never have to use it, every dollar I spent on it is worth it for the peace of mind it brings me. When the top pin of the Birdie is pulled out, a 130db siren sounds and a strobe light flashes for up to 40 minutes. And while this may not prevent me from danger, I like knowing that at any moment I have the option to draw attention to myself and hopefully thwart any nefarious activity. I carry this on my keychain, and have it on hand while walking alone in New York City, Newark Penn Station, and even from the parking lot to the train station.

I don't recommend this product out of fear or to scare anyone, but I'd rather have a Birdie alarm and not need it than have nothing at all. Especially with the recent violence towards women in New York , and the numerous stories of women harmed while doing basic activities like walking to work or running .

Also: This tiny keychain is a mighty tool for your personal safety

Current Birdie users on Reddit said they liked the loud siren, discreet design, and overall peace of mind the Birdie alarm provides, and Redditors across the board recommended carrying a personal safety alarm or other safety tools just in case -- for activities ranging from running alone to heading to class. And while there's no guarantee that you'll ever need to use an alarm, several Redditors shared instances where they believed their personal alarm saved them from harm .

Also: The best personal safety alarms to carry

AirPods Pro (2nd Gen)

For any long-distance commuter, the need for a quality pair of headphones or earbuds, particularly ones that offer noise cancellation, is pretty crucial. I couldn't go one day of commuting without my AirPods Pro (2nd Gen). I bought them this past October specifically for commuting because my Beats Solo 3 headphones were too bulky and annoying to take off when I needed to, but my original AirPods couldn't hack it, either. I use my AirPods Pro to listen to music during my commute, to watch videos and shows, and simply to drown out the outside sound of the train and daily hustle.

Also: The best earbuds of 2024: Expert tested

These AirPods have two times more noise cancellation than the previous version and feature an upgraded adaptive transparency mode which automatically lowers the volume of harmful noises above the 85dB threshold. I enjoy using all of these features during my commute, and especially appreciate conversation awareness, which makes it easy to order my coffee without taking my earbuds out.

Redditors said the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) are the best buy out of the entire AirPods lineup currently, thanks to the upgraded features, new chip, and new USB-C charging option. One truck driver on Reddit who describes himself as an audiophile said the improvements of the 2nd Gen Pros were noticeable, to the point where he couldn't even hear his truck's engine running like usual. Other Redditors said these AirPods provided pretty good noise cancellation and overall value for using on airplanes and long flights

Why should you trust me?

I test, review, and scout the best deals on tech for a living, from MagSafe accessories and iPhone battery packs, to iPad gear and beyond. I have the unique opportunity to try out new tech accessories everyday, and incorporate them into my daily routine and lifestyle. That includes taking them with me on my super commutes to the office.

Beyond this, I am constantly checking out ZDNET's competition for the newest products, reading up and researching on customer reviews across Reddit, Best Buy, Amazon, and more, collaborating with our other experts to analyze what makes devices good or bad, and compiling all of that knowledge to share it directly with you.

For this particular article, if I hadn't tested a product myself, I sought out a ZDNET expert who had. I considered price, quality, everyday function, practicality, and more to curate this list, and while my work bag is full of lots of interesting knick knacks and gadgets, these four remain steady, in some iteration. I'll never be without earbuds, something to hold my transit card, a safety alarm, or a battery booster.

And while there are tons of other tech products I could've convincingly written about and recommended you buy for your own commute, these are truly the top four things that I would recommend to my closest friends if they were embarking on a commuting journey (especially on public transit), and products I have already recommended tons of times over -- both here at ZDNET and in my personal life.

What basics do I need for commuting?

As a super-commuter, I feel uber-qualified to recommend a few bare minimum essentials to have on hand while going back and forth to work. Here's my top 5 picks for most people:

A comfortable bag or tote
MagSafe battery pack or portable charger
Noise-canceling earbuds or headphones
A MagSafe wallet (or anything that gives easy access to transit cards and tickets)
A water bottle (the Owala FreeSip is my personal favorite, though I have used bottles from Swell, Stanley, Hydroflask and more, too). Any bottle will do, just stay hydrated.

What is a super commuter?

A super commuter typically refers to the practice of undertaking long-distance commutes to work from where one lives. Some say this involves traveling over 90 minutes or more one way, crossing multiple zones or regions, or traveling to one metropolitan city center for work while living much further outside of it. Whatever your definition, it essentially boils down to a lot of time spent commuting on public transit, flying, or traveling in a car.

Some scholars suggest that super commuting is on the rise , especially since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, though it remains difficult to quantify or measure.

I live in central New Jersey and commute twice a week to New York City. Getting to work requires a drive to the train station, a train ride, a transfer at Newark Penn Station in Newark, NJ to the NJ PATH train, two PATH train rides, and a walk to the office. The whole process often fluctuates due to weather, day of the week, time of year, and any unforeseen circumstances, but the commute is usually 2.5 hours each way, for a grand total of 5 hours round trip.

Other commuting-friendly tech we think you'd love

Everything you need for commuting to work, this $20 magsafe charger is better and cheaper than apple's own accessory, finally, a magsafe battery pack that doesn't look like a brick (and it's 25% off right now).

Long commute? These tech gadgets are life savers for my 5-hour journey to work

N othing's worse than an extra-long commute, but having the right tech can make a grueling hour(s)-long journey to the office fly by. I super commute into New York City a few days a week to work from the ZDNET office, with a journey that involves taking a car and multiple trains, and walking. I've been able to put my job reviewing handy tech gadgets like , , and more to good use during these commutes to figure out which products are the most helpful in daily life.

Also: Everything you need for commuting

My favorite tech for a long commute

Also: The best MagSafe battery packs of 2024: Expert tested

Other commuting-friendly tech we think you'd love

The Birdie is easy to loop on to my bags, and the twist feature makes it extra secure.

NYC super-commuters travel up to 5 hours round-trip to the office. They say it’s worth it

An hour before dawn on any given Tuesday across the tri-state area, the lights are on and the coffee is brewing.

“It’s really hard to afford raising a family in many American cities, but research knows this: The most miserable thing you can do for yourself is a long commute,” Florida says.

Super-commuting offers New Yorkers both a career and affordability

Now, Moss says, “distributed work has made it much more feasible” for people like Kaminsky, who can’t yet afford the city but still want a well-paying job. The 2020 college graduate says he sees super-commuting as a temporary measure until he has more of a financial cushion that would allow him to afford New York rent: The typical one-bedroom runs $4,095 a month these days, 20% more than just three years ago.

But super-commuting isn’t without its aggravations

There’s something to be said for a commute that doesn’t involve driving, which all three workers have. Psychologists refer to a person’s time in transit as a liminal space , a period in which one can detach and recover from work without yet taking on their role at home. This was lost during the pandemic, leading to role blurring and increased worker stress. Just ask Crandall, who says she used to have a “relaxing” commute, which allowed her to read a ton of books and watch movies on her iPad.

“But it’s a worthwhile trade,” he contends. “I’m looking out my window right now and I have a big green lawn and a pool in my backyard.”

Commuting for community

But, he acknowledges: “We need community; we need each other.”

Just ask Vennard. While he says he “hates” his commute, he’s more productive, a more understanding manager, and feels his work is more valuable once he’s in the building.

“But I’m not jaded yet,” he says. “Super-commuting is a rite of passage. Being physically in Manhattan is a big motivator.”

And by the way, he adds, millions of people have done this every day for years. “It sounds totally insane, but I’m at the point that I don’t even think twice about it now.”

Learn how to navigate and strengthen trust in your business with The Trust Factor, a weekly newsletter examining what leaders need to succeed. Sign up here.

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About a third of U.S. workers who can work from home now do so all the time

A largely empty office area in Boston in April 2021. Employees returned to work in a hybrid model soon after. (David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Roughly three years after the COVID-19 pandemic upended U.S. workplaces, about a third (35%) of workers with jobs that can be done remotely are working from home all of the time, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. This is down from 43% in January 2022 and 55% in October 2020 – but up from only 7% before the pandemic.

Bar chart showing that the share of U.S. workers on a hybrid schedule grew from 35% in 2022 to 41% in 2023

While the share working from home all the time has fallen off somewhat as the pandemic has gone on, many workers have settled into hybrid work. The new survey finds that 41% of those with jobs that can be done remotely are working a hybrid schedule – that is, working from home some days and from the office, workplace or job site other days. This is up from 35% in January 2022.

Among hybrid workers who are not self-employed, most (63%) say their employer requires them to work in person a certain number of days per week or month. About six-in-ten hybrid workers (59%) say they work from home three or more days in a typical week, while 41% say they do so two days or fewer.

Related: How Americans View Their Jobs

Many hybrid workers would prefer to spend more time working from home than they currently do. About a third (34%) of those who are currently working from home most of the time say, if they had the choice, they’d like to work from home all the time. And among those who are working from home some of the time, half say they’d like to do so all (18%) or most (32%) of the time.

Pew Research Center conducted this analysis to study how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the workplace and specifically how workers with jobs that can be done from home have adapted their work schedules. To do this, we surveyed 5,775 U.S. adults who are working part time or full time and who have only one job or who have more than one job but consider one of them to be their primary job. All the workers who took part are members of the Center’s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses.

Address-based sampling ensures that nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the ATP’s methodology .

Here are the questions used for this analysis, along with responses, and the survey’s methodology .

The majority of U.S. workers overall (61%) do not have jobs that can be done from home. Workers with lower incomes and those without a four-year college degree are more likely to fall into this category. Among those who do have teleworkable jobs, Hispanic adults and those without a college degree are among the most likely to say they rarely or never work from home.

When looking at all employed adults ages 18 and older in the United States, Pew Research Center estimates that about 14% – or roughly 22 million people – are currently working from home all the time.

The advantages and disadvantages of working from home

A bar chart showing that 71% of teleworkers in the U.S. say working from home helps them balance their work and personal lives.

Workers who are not self-employed and who are teleworking at least some of the time see one clear advantage – and relatively few downsides – to working from home. By far the biggest perceived upside to working from home is the balance it provides: 71% of those who work from home all, most or some of the time say doing so helps them balance their work and personal lives. That includes 52% who say it helps them a lot with this.

About one-in-ten (12%) of those who are at least occasionally working from home say it hurts their ability to strike the right work-life balance, and 17% say it neither helps nor hurts. There is no significant gender difference in these views. However, parents with children younger than 18 are somewhat more likely than workers without children in that age range to say working from home is helpful in this regard (76% vs. 69%).

A majority of those who are working from home at least some of the time (56%) say this arrangement helps them get their work done and meet deadlines. Only 7% say working from home hurts their ability to do these things, and 37% say it neither helps nor hurts.

There are other aspects of work – some of them related to career advancement – where the impact of working from home seems minimal:

When asked how working from home affects whether they are given important assignments, 77% of those who are at least sometimes working from home say it neither helps nor hurts, while 14% say it helps and 9% say it hurts.
When it comes to their chances of getting ahead at work, 63% of teleworkers say working from home neither helps or hurts, while 18% say it helps and 19% say it hurts.
A narrow majority of teleworkers (54%) say working from home neither helps nor hurts with opportunities to be mentored at work. Among those who do see an impact, it’s perceived to be more negative than positive: 36% say working from home hurts opportunities to be mentored and 10% say it helps.

One aspect of work that many remote workers say working from home makes more challenging is connecting with co-workers: 53% of those who work from home at least some of the time say working from home hurts their ability to feel connected with co-workers, while 37% say it neither helps nor hurts. Only 10% say it helps them feel connected.

In spite of this, those who work from home all the time or occasionally are no less satisfied with their relationship with co-workers than those who never work from home. Roughly two-thirds of workers – whether they are working exclusively from home, follow a hybrid schedule or don’t work from home at all – say they are extremely or very satisfied with these relationships. In addition, among those with teleworkable jobs, employed adults who work from home all the time are about as likely as hybrid workers to say they have at least one close friend at work.

A bar chart showing that 41% of teleworkers in the U.S. who rarely or never work from home say this work arrangement helps them feel connected to their co-workers.

Feeling connected with co-workers is one area where many workers who rarely or never work from home see an advantage in their setup. About four-in-ten of these workers (41%) say the fact that they rarely or never work from home helps in how connected they feel to their co-workers. A similar share (42%) say it neither helps nor hurts, and 17% say it hurts.

At the same time, those who rarely or never work from home are less likely than teleworkers to say their current arrangement helps them achieve work-life balance. A third of these workers say the fact that they rarely or never work from home hurts their ability to balance their work and personal lives, while 40% say it neither helps nor hurts and 27% say it helps.

A bar chart showing that 79% of U.S. workers on a hybrid schedule say their boss trusts them to get work done at home.

When it comes to other aspects of work, many of those who rarely or never work from home say their arrangement is neither helpful nor hurtful. This is true when it comes to opportunities to be mentored (53% say this), their ability to get work done and meet deadlines (57%), their chances of getting ahead in their job (68%) and whether they are given important assignments (74%).

Most adults with teleworkable jobs who work from home at least some of the time (71%) say their manager or supervisor trusts them a great deal to get their work done when they’re doing so. Those who work from home all the time are the most likely to feel trusted: 79% of these workers say their manager trusts them a great deal, compared with 64% of hybrid workers.

Hybrid workers feel about as trusted when they’re not working from home: 68% say their manager or supervisor trusts them a great deal to get their work done when they’re not teleworking.

Note: Here are the questions used for this analysis, along with responses, and the survey’s methodology .

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Is a 3 Hour Commute Round Trip Worth it? : r/personalfinance
This is the opportunity cost of your commute, along with an 11 hour work day for a 55 hour work week. So, you're gonna add 3 hours per day, or 15 per week, or 60 hours per month, for $257... That's $3.25 an hour. If you value your time at this rate go ahead. If not it's a bad deal.
Could you deal with a 3-hour commute once a week? : r/bayarea
Current job situation is 3 days a week in office, but 10-15 min commute. Three hours round trip once a week is completely fine in my book. Three hours round trip is like the regular commute for a lot of people in the bay. 3 hr rt is fine but 3 hr one way is hell no. I do this 3-5 days a week, you get used to it.
10 Pro Tips To Make Your Long Commute Not Suck
7. I need to make my own coffee. SMH, that sh*t is expensive. 8. The GPS app Waze is bae. Waze, powered by Google, goes beyond just giving you directions. It actually changes your route in real ...
Commute for 3 hours for a job round trip to save money. Is it ...
Cons: Commute 3 hours for 4 days a week, might also have to leave an hour early just to account for public transportation delays ... I actually did the 3 hour round trip commute for a year and it was basically the worst possible decision I could have made during that time. That is an insane amount of productivity and/or leisure time to lose ...
What Is Extreme Commuting?
All of those factors add up to more hours lost for extreme commuters. Traveling three hours round-trip daily? Those extra minutes create more stress and claim more potential free time. 2. Searching for Affordable Housing. Being able to afford housing is another cause of extreme commutes.
Travel Time Map
Create a drive time radius map: explore how far you can travel on a road trip. Use cases for businesses. Travel time mapping up to 4 hours & cross reference other data sets in GIS such as population data ; Site selection analysis: analyse the best location to locate a business by adding thousands of analysis points
Commutes in this California city are the longest in the US
Palmdale, California. Average round-trip commute: 85.4 minutes. Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 5.3:1. Population commuting two-plus hours round-trip per day: 35 percent. More ...
The Most Satisfying Commuter Cars
According to the 2013 American Community Survey, the average full-time worker in the U.S. has a 26-minute commute to work—almost five hours a week for a daily round-trip commute.
U.S. cities with the longest and shortest commutes
3. Jersey City, New Jersey. Average round-trip commute: 73.6 minutes Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 6.4:1 Population commuting 2+ hrs round-trip per day: 18.7% Commuter profile: Car: 38.5%, Public transit: 48.5%, Walk: 8%, Bicycle: 0.4% While Newark and Jersey City are adjacent to each other and have similar average commute times, their commuter profiles are quite different.
Commuting For a Job: When Is It Worth It? How Far, How Long?
From there, it's a simple matter to take your salary and factor in hard commuting costs, like gasoline (see a good guide here) - according to Salary.com, "… the average employee incurs an annual "commuting gas" cost of $1,483 per year. This represents 3.6 percent of the national average annual salary, which is $40,690.". Worth The Drive ...
Having had a 3 hour round trip commute time (South Bay to SF), and a 10
Having had a 3 hour round trip commute time (South Bay to SF), and a 10 minute round trip commute time (3 blocks away), I think that my current time of about 1 hour is the most desirable. The long commute took a toll for obvious reasons, but even with the short convenient walking commute, I found it led to difficulties maintaining a healthy ...
Is a 1.5 hour commute (3 hour round trip) worth it for my job?
The commute is literally killing you. After reading up on the affects of long commutes last year, I changed my real estate focus. I opted for an older house that was five minutes from work rather than the nicer house that was 45 minutes from my work. 2. Reply.
NYC super-commuters travel up to 5 hours round-trip to the office. They
The 24-year-old PR account executive travels by train and multiple subway lines to his lower Manhattan office—45 miles as the crow flies, but it takes two hours and 15 minutes door-to-door. In ...
Average US Commute Times By City & State [2024 Update]
Find out yours today! Key Takeaways. The average US commute time is 52.2 minutes per day, with some states facing over 100 hours lost per year due to congestion. The longest commutes are found in California, New York, and Pennsylvania, influenced by dense populations and congested cities. States like North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming ...
The top 10 US cities where workers have the longest commutes
3. Jersey City, New Jersey. Average round-trip commute: 73.6 minutes. Ratio of weekly working hours to commuting hours: 6.4:1. Share of the population commuting over two hours round-trip per day ...
People who commute 3-plus hours a day (or not at all) tend to ...
Super-commuters have increased by 31.7%. Currently, there are 2.5 million super-commuters which makes them 2.9% of the full-time working population.
Workers' Average Commute Round-Trip Is 46 Minutes in a Typical Day
According to the survey, American workers say they spend an average of 45.6 minutes commuting to and from work in a typical day. (This includes workers who report "zero" minutes commuting; excluding these workers yields an average commute time of 48.1 minutes). The data show that 28% of workers commute less than 30 minutes to and from work, 36% ...
Is a 3 hour round trip commute 3x a week worth career growth?
Nope. Not worth it. Spend the 9 hours/week you would have spent on commuting instead on networking/searching for a better opportunity. Depends how you think about it, 1.5hr commute 3x a week is like the equivalent of a 45 min commute normally which isn't much away from the commute many/most people have.
I commute 5 hours round trip. These tech accessories make the ...
The whole process often fluctuates due to weather, day of the week, time of year, and any unforeseen circumstances, but the commute is usually 2.5 hours each way, for a grand total of 5 hours ...
I commute 5 hours round trip. These tech accessories make the ...
N othing's worse than an extra-long commute, but having the right tech can make a grueling hour(s)-long journey to the office fly by. I super commute into New York City a few days a week to work ...
NYC super-commuters on their 5-hour round-trips to the office
Zach Kaminsky, 24, travels nearly five hours round-trip from Connecticut to his Manhattan office. An hour before dawn on any given Tuesday across the tri-state area, the lights are on and the ...
Long commute
Moderator, Model 3 / Y, Tesla Energy Forums. I'm a 20 year veteran of the long-commute clan, my current commute (thankfully only 2 days a week) is 108 miles round trip, just under 3 hours with traffic. It seems to me like you're already aware of all the down-side to your plan both to the car and to yourself and family.
3 hour commute -- is it worth it? : r/cscareerquestions
~240 work days a year x 3 hours x 2 = 1440 hours commuting in a year. If you make $25k more, that's about $17/hour for your extra six hours of (mind-numbing) "work" each day. ... That sounds absolutely horrible. A 6 hour round trip commute will more than negate any benefit you would get from a higher salary. You're far better off taking a lower ...
35% of workers who can work from home now do this all the time in U.S
The new survey finds that 41% of those with jobs that can be done remotely are working a hybrid schedule - that is, working from home some days and from the office, workplace or job site other days. This is up from 35% in January 2022. Among hybrid workers who are not self-employed, most (63%) say their employer requires them to work in ...
Any one on here commute 3+ hours round trip? : r/Construction
For example: San Fransisco, San Jose, and Napa all have a median home list price of around 1.3 million. East bay is a little under a million. Out to the valley, at 2-3 hours drive (one way), housing is closer to 450k. Pay is virtually the same in all places. Take home on a 40 hour week is ~$1500.

10 Pro Tips To Make Your Long Commute Not Suck

1. There’s a podcast for anything and everything.

2. Siri makes a great DJ.

3. Lumbar support is a non-negotiable when you drive so much.

4. Long commutes come with legit fuel rewards.

5. It’s all about the cruise control.

6. ESPN streams all of their live radio programming.

7. I need to make my own coffee.

8. The GPS app Waze is bae.

9. Maintaining a car costs a lot of money.

10. Music-Map.com is a thing.

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The top 10 US cities where workers have the longest commutes

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