How long is your commute?

[dakcp2001]

I used to travel about 45 minutes each way, but I am now seriously considering a job that is 1.5 hours away, but the shifts are not during rush hour. It would be an excellent opportunity and I am miserable at my current job. My lease is up in 6 months so at that point I can move closer. Has anyone done this?

 

[Aimeedyan]

I know lots of people that travel about that long for years and years for a great job that they are happy with. My dad did something similar to you; he got a temp job that was a dream job and drove over an hour for a year until he got a permanent position - then he moved to the other city. For him, it was definitely worth it (and he loves his new city much more anyways!).

DH drives about an hour each way, but we have no intentions on moving closer to his workplace. He drives in some traffic but said he really doesn't mind.

My commute is only about 15 minutes.

If it was 1.5 hours in traffic I would think twice but if it's not, I would definitely put my name in the hat and see what happens!

 

[FireDancer]

I drive 19 miles each way. It usually takes about 45 minutes to drive in during rush hour and a few less to drive home. If I am going in at an off hour I can make the trip either way in about 25. It has taken over an hour before but that is usually because of an accident or bad snow.

I'm not sure I could deal with 3 hours of commuting daily (if you are talking about 90 minutes each way as opposed to total) for a long period but for a good job with the ability to move closer in 6 months I would take the shot. If you get it you only have to deal with the commute for six months which really isn't that long in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Ours is currently 30 minutes or 9.5 miles.




My husband used to drive 1.5 to 2 hours each way when we lived in Marina del Rey and he worked in Burbank. It nearly killed him from the stress. Both ways were in heavy traffic and he hated it. So, we moved after two years.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I know a lot of people who travel long distances for work, one who goes to Seattle 3 times a week which, depending on traffic, can be 3-6 hours (usually 4) each way.

But me, 5 minutes at the most.

 

[mommasita]

My commute can be anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hrs, depending on traffic.

I try to shift my hours around for off peak ones. When I start at 8, I can get there in 20 minutes, door to door. If I started at 9 or 10, forget it.

For me, I HATE driving, and no way could I do 1.5 hrs each way, which is why I make sure to flextime my hours around the rush hour traffic.

I do love my job, so it can be all worth it, Except in snow/blizzard conditions.

You would have to weight your pros and cons. Start a nice sheet and write/type them out.

 

[maslex]

Just 2.5 miles for me each way

 

[PatsMom]

Today I am going to my office. It is 120 miles from my house. Takes about 2 1/2 hours. Then tonight I will stay at my mothers, which is only 55 miles from the office. Tomorrow I commute from Mom's to the office, then back to Mom's. On Friday I will drive from Mom's to the office and then the 120 miles home. I work from home two days a week which is the only thing that makes all the driving bearable. I've been doing this amount of driving for the last 6 years.

Prior to that for two years I commuted 55 miles each way, about 3 hours total.

You can do it if you like your job and the money is good. And especially with an end in sight in only six months, I would give it a shot.

 

[onelilspark]

I had an internship in college where it was supposed to take an hour and a half to get there and back. There were some days that it took three.

It was long. But since I knew it was only for a summer, and I wasn't going to be doing it indefinitely, it was worth it to me. Since you can move in 6 months, I'd say go for it.

 

[lecach]

10 minutes

It's FABULOUS!!!!

DH who used to have a 15 minute commute (while I had a 30 minute) now has a 30 minute commute. We've switched places. We've also switched liking our jobs. Maybe liking a job comes with a longer commute

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I live in the suburbs and commute to Manhatten. It takes about 1 1/2 hours each way which includes one 50 minute train ride to the city.

I would think drivng for the same time would be much worse., plus the wear and tear on the car. At least on the train we can take a nap.

 

[mom2aandj]

I live in the suburbs and commute to Manhatten. It takes about 1 1/2 hours each way which includes one 50 minute train ride to the city.

I would think drivng for the same time would be much worse., plus the wear and tear on the car. At least on the train we can take a nap.

my DH has a long commute--about and hour and a half door to door, each way, but most of it is on a commuter train, so he is free to sleep or work. He could never do it sitting in a car 3 hours a day.

 

[lovesmurfs]

My commute into downtown Chicago involves a train and a bus -- it's 1.5 hours in the morning, and 2 hours in the afternoon. Like a PP, I can't imagine trying to commute like that in the car -- rain and snow could double the trip time.

I do know a number of people who regularly commute an hour or more to their work in the car who make it work. Many get a lot of "reading" done through audiobooks.

 

[dakcp2001]

I am thinking it might be worth it to rent a room or a small apartment. It is a more rural area and the cost of living is lower a small apt would be 450 a month+expenses. I think the savings in gas & wear & tear on the car might be worth it. My schedule will be four 10 hour shifts, but during training it will be five 8 hour shifts for 15 weeks. Eventually I may be able to get three 12 hour shifts, but they have not implemented that yet. I just need to somehow see to get my shifts back to back.

I just want out of my current job badly. The new job is days, I currently rotate between days & nights and it is killing me. When on nights I normally get three 12 hour shifts and then Im spent.

 

[almburr]

My standard commute is an hour and a half each way. I dont have any traffic to deal with. Every once and awhile I may have to go a diffrent route if another staff member is gone then ive driven 3 hours each way.

I love my job and I love the drive. I have a company car to use that pays for gas and service.

 

[cocodog]

My current commute is 30 miles/ 40-45 minutes. I did not like the idea, but was miserable with my previous 15 miles/ 20 minute commute job. I have been doing this about 6 weeks now, and I must say that I am pleasantly surprised! I am not a morning person, and I have time to drink my coffee and 'meditate' on the way in to work. On the way home, I unwind and leave it behind. The only thing I don't like is the total time away from family when I add it up. I rather enjoy my commute, and plan to do it long term. I commute in a work vehicle for a minimal cost, so vehicle maintenenace/ gas does not figure in to my equation. Good luck with your decision!

 

[GeorgeG]

As a musician, it depends on where the gig is. The past several years it's been anything from 1/2 mile to 90 miles. This year, it's been mostly the longer distances, but 2011 is shaping up to have more closer to home.

Before I retired up in NY, I worked about 6 miles from home for many years.

 

[mhsjax]

My DH did an hour commute each way for over 20 years. Think long and hard about it. He did it during off times.

Some have said that they do it and stay over night somewhere, or they may have only done it for a short while. Hy DH did it a long time, there was no staying anyway over night, he drove everyday, sometimes 6 days a week to and from work. It was horrible, everyone hated it. If you are going to work really crazy hours like he did, then be aware that sometimes the drive can become dangerous, if wasn't unheard of for someone to fall asleep at the wheel, because of the hours they traveled and the amount of hours they worked.

It didn't bother him at first and used it as a time to calm down after work, but it didn't take long before he hated it, but had no choice but to drive it or for us to move. He continued to drive and I am very thankful he didn't kill himself doing it.

 

[Angelhalo]

30 minutes and I wouldn't even begin to consider anything longer. DH's commute is about 40 minutes and he complains about it EVERY SINGLE DAY.

 

[jsmith]

Based on experience a studio Apartment near the job will make your life much easier. For three years while my son finished high school i lived in the the north Denver suburbs and worked at Ft Carson which is south of Colorado Springs-about 96 miles each way. It was an hour and a half south bound and about 3 northbound in afterwork and my job involved some occassional odd or very long shifts. I got a small studio and only drove on Monday mornings-Tuesday evenings so i could attend Tuesday night sports events Wednesday Mornings and Friday evenings along with the occassional offday when my son had school eventsl. It saved sanity and wear and tear on my car. Not doing that anymore, we got the house sold, hubbys job moved here and i how have a 10 minute drive.