4 Ways to Manage Your Long Commute to Work

The time spent commuting to and from work can include any necessary travel, such as driving or riding public transportation. According to Statista's Global Consumer Survey, 76% of Americans use their car to commute, making it the most popular mode of transportation.

If you're not one of those who get to walk to work, then commuting for long hours can be such a pain. Here are tips on how to manage a long commute.

How Long Should Your Commute Be?

In America, different cities have a specific industry they specialize in. A few examples are winemaking in Napa Valley and biotech in San Diego. What these cities have in common is that the average commute time is either over 30 minutes or less than 20 minutes.

People stuck on the road for over 30 minutes waste precious time. However, a long commute goes beyond wasting time at work. If you put this into perspective, a one-and-a-half-hour commute eats up 6.25% of your day. If it takes the same time for you to return home, a long commute has eaten 12.5% of your day.

If you add the long commute and the eight hours you spend at work, you will barely have any time left for the things you want to do. The intense rush hour of driving or riding the subway is why some people choose not to work in big cities.

With these issues in mind, you may think that commuting will always be difficult, but that does not have to be the case. There are things you can do to make it more manageable. So, how to manage a long commute and make the hours more tolerable? Here are some tips.

4 Ways to Manage Your Long Commute to Work

1. Try leaving for work early

   It's common for people to spend 30 minutes or more in a car every morning to get to the office. Dealing with traffic is the bane of every employee's existence. It's an unavoidable problem that you can do something about. Simply leaving earlier will make your life easier and avoid all the stress of being late to work.

   If you get to the office earlier than expected, you can use the time to do whatever you want—eat, rest, or maybe catch up on pending work.

2. Be strategic

   One way how to manage a long commute is by being strategic. Commuting can be a stressful experience, especially if you're already late for work or an appointment.

   However, you can make the experience easier by planning. Know what time traffic tends to build up and where so you can avoid those areas and times if possible.

   You can also check the news for any accidents or construction along your route to help you plan accordingly. You can use Waze or Google Maps to get an ETA and see the routes you can take for the day.

3. Listen to podcasts

   Podcasts are a great way to pass the time when you're stuck on a long commute. They can also help you stay productive and keep up with current events, which is why they're so popular. While you can still listen to news or music on the radio, podcasts are a great alternative.

4. Consider carpooling

   If you have co-workers who live in your area, consider carpooling. You won't have to worry about getting stuck in crowds riding on public transportation or spending too much to gas up your car. You can also plan with your co-workers about who will drive to work on certain days.

Traveling to Work Need Not be a Hassle

Commuting to work isn't the most enjoyable part of the day. The traffic alone is enough to cause stress. If you're wondering how to manage a long commute, the best way is to start the day early and plan your route. But if you're already stuck in traffic, try to be productive by listening to podcasts or audiobooks.

If you are looking for a job, don't forget to consider the office location and the commute time. This way, you can save yourself the trouble of dealing with long commutes before you even start.

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