How far is too far to commute? Each and every hour of the day matters if you are a student or working person who is attending college or working part-time. Your daily commute is unsustainable if you drive and your gas and electricity bills keep piling up and depleting your bank account.
If you want to know if this is something you can continue with or if you need to take action and relocate closer to your place of employment, you should sit down and review your monthly budget.
Please continue reading the post after this one to see more details.
Table of Contents
How Far Is Too Far To Commute?
It All Comes Down To What You Value Most
According to a Harvard Business Review study, 84% of respondents preferred a $67K salary with a 50-minute commute to a $64K salary with a 20-minute commute. This demonstrates how many people prefer higher pay to shorter commutes. ‘Another manifestation of commuter bias is when individuals prioritize their lifestyle over a shorter commute, such as by choosing to live in a larger home in a desirable neighborhood.
However, the truth is that everyone is unique, so some people may find it easier to commute than others. If a longer commute meant you could land your dream job, perhaps you would be willing to consider it. Or maybe you decide it’s not worthwhile to spend that extra hour on the train every day and would prefer to spend it sleeping or with your loved ones.
The important question to ask yourself is what do you value most?
- Time with family?
- Job satisfaction?
- Remuneration?
- Lifestyle?
- Career progression?
Because each person is unique, there is no one perfect commute time. While this is true, longer commutes have some serious drawbacks.
Be Aware Of The Dangers Of Long Commutes
Longer commutes have been associated with higher levels of depression, lower job satisfaction, obesity, and sleep deprivation. Additionally, the likelihood of divorce is 40% higher in relationships where one partner commutes for over 45 minutes each day.
So why do people commute long distances if it harms their health, happiness, and relationships? Is there a way to make it more tolerable?
Make The Most Of Your Commute
Unbelievable as it may seem, some people enjoy the chance to spend two hours each day riding a train or bus! Between the obligations of work and family, many people use this time to read, update social media, watch TV, or do whatever they want.
There are therefore ways to make the daily commute tolerable, if not enjoyable. If you’re facing a long commute, consider how you can use this time and if it could actually be of benefit to you.
Work Schedule Flexibility May Be Beneficial
Many people commute for over an hour each day, so more companies are willing to offer flexible work schedules or work-from-home days to help employees avoid rush hour traffic. Asking what the employer can do for you is important if the position is the right one.
Be Aware Of Your Limitations
Although it may seem reasonable to travel 1.5 hours each way for your “dream job,” be realistic. It can be very tempting to choose a position that will provide you with a higher salary and better career prospects. Your commute will take an hour longer if it is even delayed by 30 minutes. You will have five fewer hours each week than you would normally. Can you justify it?
Possibly you would have to give up your favorite sport. either that, or spend less time with your family. There must be a trade-off. Find out what your daily commute time limit is and what you can sustain over the long term.
How Far Should I Drive To Get To Work?
Consider the answers to these questions to determine if the miles to your work are indeed too much:
- Considering your daily commute, do you think you’re spending too much on gas and/or electricity?
- Do you dread the long morning commute to work?
- Do you frequently arrive home after work late because of the distance?
If you said “yes,” then I would say that you do indeed commute a long way to work.
When the time it takes to travel to work does not conveniently fit into your daily schedule, I would say that there are too many miles to travel. The gas (or electricity) bills you pay are another aspect to take into account. Naturally, your car will deteriorate over time.
Do You Think It’s Too Far To Commute 30 Miles?
It is indeed a long commute to work each day to travel 30 miles (48 kilometers for our European friends). The moment you arrive at work, however, is what counts.
Maybe that will be okay if the majority of those 30 miles are on the highway with a little bit of city traffic. You can take a test drive to determine the time it takes you to travel from home to work.
Is A 30-minute Commute To Work Bad?
The acceptable commute time to work is unquestionably a 30-minute drive. especially if you reside in a large city like, say, Sydney, London, or New York.
Think about how many people commute for more than an hour each day—perhaps millions. Therefore, a 30-minute drive is acceptable, in my opinion.
How Far Should You Commute To Work?
Your daily life, specific circumstances, and preferences should all be taken into account when determining the appropriate commute distance. You live a good distance from your place of employment if your commute has no impact whatsoever on your daily life.
Personally, I would adore to live close enough to my place of employment to walk there in 15 to 20 minutes. Before work, I find that taking a quick walk gives me time to wake up and sparks my imagination.
I can walk while listening to a podcast or an audiobook. I am a fervent advocate of visualization and mindfulness, so I could also just think about my work projects.
You might enjoy driving and not mind doing it every single day to get to work; however, that’s just me. Or maybe you enjoy taking public transportation.
The time you spend reading or studying while riding the bus or the subway may be something you enjoy doing.
How Far Can An Employer Require You To Commute For Work?
Your employer is unconcerned about the travel time between your place of residence and workplace. Getting to the workplace is entirely your responsibility when you start a job that requires your physical presence there.
Talk to your employer about a work-from-home option if it’s an option if your commute to work gets to be too much.
Pro tip: You can negotiate with your employer to set up a situation where you can work from home. To demonstrate that you can be just as productive working from home, ask them for a one- or two-week trial period. This way they will be more willing to let you work from home
The Impact Of Long Commutes On Well-being
Is a commute of an hour excessive? Long commutes are undoubtedly bad for your general health. Long periods of time spent driving have an effect on your posture, mental state, and general level of preparedness for work. Every additional minute you spend commuting increases your risk of developing health issues, according to an investigation into the matter by Scientific American.
In fact, one study found a connection between commuting and an increase in obesity rates. Too much time spent crammed into a car can lead to high blood pressure, physical discomfort, and sore joints.
Your health could be in danger from headaches, attention issues, and anger brought on by road rage. The severity of these conditions could increase with the length and frequency of the trip. For so-called “extreme commuters,” or those who spend a significant portion of each day traveling to and from work, these problems may become intolerable.
Last but not least, commuting can have an effect on your relationships with friends and family, which are vital to your mental health. Is a commute of 45 minutes too long? It could be because spending so much of your life on the road deprives you of much-needed social time with the people who matter to you most.
Advantages Of Commuting
Traveling to work has benefits and drawbacks, and no two commutes are the same. Whether your commute is worthwhile every day depends on the scenery, your mode of transportation, and how rigid your schedule is.
Others may choose to take public transportation, while some people choose to drive and encounter nothing but congested traffic. When you take the public transportation to and from work, you won’t have to worry about driving and can take some time to unwind and reflect.
People who commute by bike or on foot might discover that it’s a great way to stay in shape. It’s crucial to keep in mind that cycling promotes a longer, healthier life, and that commuting offers a chance to get in better physical shape. If you’ve recently relocated for a new job, walking to and from work is also a great way to get to know the area.
Additionally, commuters will avoid paying for gas and vehicle upkeep by walking or cycling to work.
The Health Effects Of Long Commutes To Work
Increased stress and fatigue are associated with long commutes. Additionally, there are other unintended consequences like having less time for healthy activities like exercising.
Long commutes to work are in fact linked to adverse health effects, according to this Swedish study of over 21,000 people.
Another British study with more than 34,000 participants discovered a connection between lengthy commutes and decreased productivity.
Final Words
Your daily life, sleep, and general well-being can all be negatively impacted by a long commute to work or school. It follows that your commute is too far if it significantly interferes with all of that.
I appreciate your reading.