how long is too long for a commute?

kaymay420 · July 2011

i used to work a job and it took around 30 minute each day back and fourth. I wanted to pull my hair out it was traffic and lights the whole way everyday. I have an opportunity that the commute may be just as horrendous. It is a good job but ehh...the commute

saralynn7 · July 2011

I currently commute an hour each way. My husband and I talked about moving, but he really enjoys his job and we were also first time home buyers that received the tax rebate and still have at least a year that we need to live in our home without having to pay back the entire amount. I live in the midwest so it's not really traffic that's the issue but the crappy weather during the winter. Good luck!!

Maybride2 · July 2011

30 minutes seems pretty standard to me. At any rate, that's what I've had most of my professional life, and it doesn't bother me. It's nice to have that time after work to unwind.

amanjay · July 2011

I'd say 30 minutes is well within normal. A tip: pick up books on CD from the library. It makes the commute much more fun and relaxing!

Reysgirl · July 2011

IMO, it is not something that someone else can quantify for you. You have to determine what you feel comfortable with and go with that.

Dr.Loretta · July 2011

It depends on what you can handle and how much the job is "worth" it to you. I commuted 52 miles each way (all highway, half of it was usually bumper to bumper) for 5 years. Most days it wasn't a big deal, occasionally it made me want to commit vehicular homicide. But I really liked the job and was able to move up in the company.

BlondeMoment123 · July 2011

I used to have an hour commute. It wasn't terrible by any means, but when it was raining and I had to drive so far home it was a pain.

I now live 5 minutes from work and prefer that any day.

Hulley · July 2011

Ideally, I like to commute no more than 30 minutes, but it was 15-20 in my last job. I had a 45 minute commute a few years ago (before gas went crazy) and felt like I spent too much time on the road.

sctiger · July 2011

I commute about 30 minutes and last school year I commuted about 45 minutes. I hate it! I have been stuck teaching in the neighboring school district because there haven't been any job openings in the district we moved to two years ago. I know I am lucky to have a job, but I know if I could switch it would be 10-20 minutes. I would say anything over 45 is too much, because it turns into a big part of your day and starts sucking into your personal time.

belljason92 · July 2011

Well, I also travel about 1 hour from my place to reach up to my office, but what can I do, I need a good place to live and I need a good job to pay my bills. But then it has its own benefits, like the boss won?t ask me to stay back, since he knows that my house is far from the office. People who have houses 5 min from the office are never spared. Wink

Lol

SunAndRain · July 2011

I hated my old commute - 25 minutes without traffic but 50 min during rush hour. It helped tremendously to listen to books on tape. I recommend A Walk in the Woods

Flamingo Stalker · July 2011

I've had commutes spanning 5 miles/10 minutes to 55 miles/70 minutes. I think I could cope better with a long commute if it was on a train or something where I could zone out and relax. Driving that long made me crazy. Right now, my commute varies between 20 - 30 minutes and it's just about all I'd want to commute at this point in my life. DS is in the car with me because he goes to daycare at my work. I wouldn't want to put him through any more than that.

FrannyS · July 2011

I commute 47 miles each way. For now, it's worth it because I've got a really good job, benefits and enjoy what I'm doing. My commute is easy - highway going the opposite way of traffic so it's a breeze.

It does take a toll though. First on the car, then the wallet (gas prices) and your time. After telecommuting for the past 4 years, I'm having a difficult time adjusting to commuting and the lack of time to do things I used to do during the day between meetings (such as laundry and cooking).

BlackDiamond3201 · July 2011

I have a 42 mile commute each way. About an hour in and more than that due to traffic going home. I hate my commute and that's a small factor in why I am currently trying to find a job closer to home.

katarczyna · July 2011

I think that depends on a lot of factors -- where you live, what industry you work in, and how important your career is to you. I personally feel like a short commute (less than 20 minutes) may keep you in a job you otherwise dislike for longer.

I commute 35 miles each way, which takes about an hour and a half door-to-door (drive to train, train, walk to office).

behapy2day · July 2011

At my old job, I had a 44 mile commute one way. It was light highway traffic so it took me just under an hour... I hated it and it really took a hit on my quality of life. I was always tired by the time I got home, didn't want to get back in the car to go anywhere, etc.

I now commute 21 miles each way. Depending on traffic it can take me 25-35 minutes. It is heaven. I live in an area where a 30 minute-1 hour commute is very standard.

annieu613 · July 2011

I think it depends on the person and the area. 30 minutes is pretty standard imo, but obviously some people hate it. I used to commute 1h45 by car, train and walking. It sucked, but I did it. Now I commute 2 miles, which is awesome. I would be alright with anything under an hour.

sarahelisabethm · July 2011

It really depends on what's important to you. I've been commuting 30 minutes each way, which I really don't think is too bad, especially for where I live (Northern VA). DH commutes an hour or more each way. So, I really don't think 30 minutes is that long, but if it's too long for you, don't take the job! If you're going to be miserable with the commute, it's not the right job for you.

DZKathrynWed223151 · July 2011

How long is too long is definitely something you have to answer for yourself. 30 minutes doesn't sound too bad to me, but I live in Los Angeles. I'm job hunting right now and trying to keep my commute to 1 hour...but that means I can really only search in a 10-15 mile radius from my apartment. I may have to expand that if I don't find something soon. We live 6 miles from my DH's job, but his commute can take up to 30 minutes if the traffic and weather are bad =(

HappyMrsK · July 2011

I'd love a 30 minute commute!

Currently, I drive about a hour each way, but it's mostly highway so it isn't too bad and with my hours I usually beat the rush hour traffic. My husband drives a little over an hour each way to work.

+Krystee+ · July 2011

My commute is 45 minutes each way, on average. This morning's drive was 100 minutes and I thought I might shoot myself. I think 30 is well worth it for a good opportunity.

jjtyler · July 2011

My commute is around 1 hour-ish and consists of a 3 block walk, train, and subway. Most days it isn't bad and I relish the time to unwind or rev up for the day.

Some days when I miss a train or the subway/train schedule is effed up, I am murderous. And in the summer, the NYC smells are just "delicious".

But my pay in NYC is quadruple what it would be on LI if I could even find a comparable job (niche market)

mxolisi · July 2011

It is a very personal decision. For me the means of transportation is also hugely important.

I live 4.5 miles from my office. During rush hour my choices are:

drive (60+ minutes)

use transit (35-60+ minutes)

bicycle (19 minutes)

walk (45 minutes)

Anything but the last two makes me hate my life and puts me in a terrible mood for the rest of the day. Biking and walking allow me to arrive at the office happy.

jkepros · July 2011

Re: how long is too long for a commute?

Totally personal preference.

Currently my commute is 45-150 minutes each way; not great, but not the worst. I really wish it was <30min or I could take public transportation (not really an option now).

I think over 1 hour sucks. I used to commute 2-2.5 hours each way every day and it was pretty much the worst commute ever. It didn't matter if I drove or took the train or what--always at least 2 hours. I had to get up SOOOO early (5-6am), and would be exhausted by the time I got home (usually ~7-8pm); it destroyed my social life.

In college my job was pretty much across the street. HEAVEN! <-- the commute, not the job. LOL.

how long is too long for a commute?

Re: how long is too long for a commute?

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