# Commuting 4 Hours a Day **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 6, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454 "2012-07-06T18:51:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/41 "2012-07-07T01:59:15Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > I calculated the transportation costs and it would be $241 per month including gasoline and tolls. That doesn’t account for wear and tear on the car, though. On average, it costs about 60 cents per mile to operate a vehicle in the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/42 "2012-07-07T02:12:48Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > Meant to add - I did an hour and forty five minute commute for 1 year before, but that was via train and subway. It wasn’t great but it was doable. Yeah. I have a 1.5 hour commute currently, but by train, etc. No so bad. Take it. Then you can look for another job with the perfect excuse “I like my current company but I hate the commute”. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2012, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/43 "2012-07-07T02:16:10Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > We have already signed our lease for next year, so I don’t see us moving any closer. > > However, this would only be temporary. The following year I will either be moving to another state or moving closer to this job. What’s the cost for breaking your lease, in comparison to the monthly commuting cost? And does your husband have to commute to NJ every day? What happens if your car breaks down? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/44 "2012-07-20T17:13:07Z")
I GOT THE JOB!!! And after meeting the people I’m going to work with and getting a clear sense of what I’m going to do, I honestly don’t give a rat’s patootie about the commute. My career just took a BIG leap forward. I did talk to him about it, though, and he wants to be flexible. We decided to try 8-4pm shifts and see how that goes, but he is open to switching to four 10s. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/45 "2012-07-20T17:22:12Z")
Congrats! I didn’t see anyone upthread recommending car pooling. Have you looking into it? Even if the commute time stayed the same, or was slightly longer, it would greatly reduce your transportation costs, and give you someone to talk to during the drive. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/46 "2012-07-20T17:22:24Z")
Congratulations! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/47 "2012-07-20T17:32:29Z")
Congrats that’s awesome! It’s also great that they’re willing to be flexible about working hours that will really help out as you figure out the real impact of the commute. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/48 "2012-07-20T17:36:48Z")
Congratulations! You might want to put advertisements in both towns to find your “twin”. Your twin would be that person who has a lease on a cute apartment in Town-With-Olives-Dreamjob while _he_ has to commute four hours to Town-Where-Olives-Lives-Now. I tried to find a “twin” for my dad, who’s shoe size on his left foot is a full size smaller then on his right foot. His twin would have the oppostie and like the same kind of sandals my dad would. Unfortunately (and perhaps not surprisingly) I haven’t found that twin. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/49 "2012-07-20T18:13:45Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > I GOT THE JOB!!! Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/50 "2012-07-20T18:40:58Z")
Congrats. That 4x10 offer might really work out great. 4 horribly long days but 3 days off every week really gives a chances to recharge. Also at the commute should be off hours in one direction. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/51 "2012-07-20T18:43:35Z")
Awesome! I know it’s totally gonna work out for you - you made the right decision! ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/52 "2012-07-20T21:10:59Z")
If I were in your situation, I’d probably do it. Loading up your resume is important and you don’t have any kids to miss you. If your eyes weren’t opened to the fact that this will probably suck hard, this thread has done that. Work on getting a different job or moving closer over the next year. The stats on happiness/divorce/poor health related to long commutes are scary. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/53 "2012-07-20T21:14:19Z")
Congrats! ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/54 "2012-07-20T21:29:12Z")
Congratulations! In this economy, there are many people who have been unemployed for a year or more who would gladly crawl on their hands and knees over broken glass for ANY job. I also recommend asking for a 4-40 work week. Warning: it DOES take a period of adjustment before your body agrees to the new time schedule. Take EXCELLENT care of your car. Get all preventive maintenance done, get the oil changed every 3000 miles, get frequent alignments, keep track of your tire tread and brakes. Buy some maps and plan several alternate routes. Familiarize yourself with the area around the new job. (FIE on GPS for this task!) Make collections of YOUR favorite music. And enjoy the fact that you can sing along (and as loud as you want) with every song. Plan your AM coffee stop, but do NOT get the mongo-bargain cup, unless you also map out every rest room between home and work. Bring something to entertain you in case you get stuck in the world’s largest traffic jam. And congratulations again! ~VOW ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/55 "2012-07-20T21:55:22Z")
Great advice! Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/56 "2012-07-20T22:13:42Z")
Just a suggestion if road conditions and finances allow, and assuming it is something you are comfortable doing. Eat while you drive, especially in the morning. There are 2 benefits, the first one is it helps eat up some of the time of the commute, the second one, it will allow you to sleep longer (assuming you can quickly pick up the meal). It also makes less cleanup work, so again extra time which you will need. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/57 "2012-07-20T22:32:32Z")
My new boss has already e-mailed me a second time to let me know he is totally willing to be flexible on the schedule. He even told me on writing days I could stay home. This guy is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![UntouchedTakeaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d78d45/32.png) [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/58 "2012-07-20T22:40:56Z")
I’ve been doing a 50 mile each way (1 hour 20 minutes generally) for 3 years now. Murder on your cars, and I believe it’s compromised my health. It’s at least added a huge amount of stress; I have zero free time (or so it seems). I’m looking desperately everywhere, but nothing so far. Good luck…it’s a grinder. UT~ ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/59 "2012-07-20T23:18:50Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > My new boss has already e-mailed me a second time to let me know he is totally willing to be flexible on the schedule. He even told me on writing days I could stay home. This guy is awesome. That’s great. My commute is only 25-40 minutes each way, and one or two days a week working from home really makes a huge difference in my productivity and my mental health. Knowing when I wake up that I can lounge around in my bathrobe while I catchup on email, then fire off a long computer job or something while I shower does a great deal to keep me from burning out. > [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > We have already signed our lease for next year, so I don’t see us moving any closer. If this is the only thing to keep you from moving, then talk to your landlords. They might be willing to let you break the lease if you can find a new tenant, or sublet, etc. I let my old tenants out of a lease, because in the rental market in my area it only took me 4 days to find a new tenant. If moving just means dumping the long commute on your partner, then it probably isn’t a fair option. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2012, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454/60 "2012-07-20T23:30:22Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > If moving just means dumping the long commute on your partner, then it probably isn’t a fair option. That’s exactly what it means, and he already sucked up a long commute for two years so I could go to school in Philadelphia. We moved back here last year specifically to take the burden off him. Now we are near his school so we can get him through his Ph.D. (he is all-but-internship.) But if he gets an internship in Philly next year, we can move closer. I dunno about the future, but I know this year this is what I need to do. For myself. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/commuting-4-hours-a-day/627454.md?page=4)