Long Commutes - UGH

[rchristiansen]

I'm tired. I just got home.

What's worse:
A one hour commute with no traffic, but it's a straight shot through the countryside?

OR

A one hour commute in heavy traffic, through the city?

I have the first commute a few days a week. I'm a grad student and UW-Madison is an hour away for me.

I used to live in Northern VA, so my commute was also an hour long, but it was in heavy traffic.

So I know both ends of the spectrum.

I'm trying to figure out what is worse. I think my current boring drive is worse.

What do you think?

 

[SandrA9810]

One hour city commute can be better, because you can always hope that you get out a few minutes early to beat that rush hour traffic. It's amazing what 15 minutes earlier can do on the highway, you can fly right on down with barely a stop. 15 minutes later can mean bumper to bumper all the way down.

On that long drive, you know it's going to be an hour at best. And if there's an accident... even longer.

 

[rchristiansen]

On that long drive, you know it's going to be an hour at best. And if there's an accident... even longer.

That's what it is - it's just hopeless.

 

[S. C.]

For me it is worse being in the traffic. I did an hour commute each way for 20 years before I retired. most of it was highway and 25 minutes of it was in the country but a very nice road 55 speed limit. It is relaxing doing the country drive and listening to my favorite music

 

[perdidochas]

I'm tired. I just got home.

What's worse:
A one hour commute with no traffic, but it's a straight shot through the countryside?

OR

A one hour commute in heavy traffic, through the city?

I have the first commute a few days a week. I'm a grad student and UW-Madison is an hour away for me.

I used to live in Northern VA, so my commute was also an hour long, but it was in heavy traffic.

So I know both ends of the spectrum.

I'm trying to figure out what is worse. I think my current boring drive is worse.

What do you think?

I used to do the first. It would be much better than heavy traffic. However, sometimes if you have a heavy traffic commute, you can make it better by leaving early or later.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Been commuting into NYC for over 25 years. Here's my take: if I'm on public transportation I'll take the 1 hour city commute. If I'm driving, I'll take the 1 hour straight run drive.

 

[Dax]

I live 35miles from work....It takes me an hour and half to get home in the afternoon on weekdays, 45min on weekends...

 

[LuvOrlando]

Have you tried looking for someone to carpool with? My DH goes 1 1/2 hours each way which is only tolerable because he's in a van-pool.

 

[CrazyDuck]

One hour city commute can be better, because you can always hope that you get out a few minutes early to beat that rush hour traffic.

Nail on the Head!!!

You may get lucky on days when it is a holiday for other people or schools are out of session... But a far drive will always be a long drive!

 

[rchristiansen]

Have you tried looking for someone to carpool with? My DH goes 1 1/2 hours each way which is only tolerable because he's in a van-pool.

Yeah, I've thought of that, but my schedule for when I'm on campus is varied. I think what makes it worse, is that some days I have to be on campus and other days I don't. So those days I have to go make the commute seem crappy. On the flipside, I got to catch up on the podcasts whlie in the car!