How To Survive A Long Commute – Guide For Early Risers

Craig Compton is an experienced motorist who resides in South Florida. He is an early riser with an enormous passion for his work, yet extreme commuting is part of his daily routine.

Mr. Compton has a Monday-to-Friday job that demands him to leave home at 6:30 AM with very little time to do housework.

For him, early commuting is no longer a task but a habit that impacts his mood, especially when traffic starts building up on the highway.

His normal commute starts with dropping the kids off at school in Fort Lauderdale, which is about 3 miles from home.

Then he takes the I-95 all the way down to Coral Gables, which takes him about an hour and a half to reach his destination, and that is just one way.

While many other locals are skeptical about his commitment to extreme commuting, Mr. Compton confessed that he has been commuting to the same job for more than 10 years and counting.

Quite frankly, driving can be a challenging task and not many people are not interested in extreme commuting.

But Mr. Compton is gladly open to share his best tips on how to survive a long commute regardless of how long it takes you to reach your destination.

Use smartphone applications to map your journey

If you must drive long distances to reach your destination, you may consider using your smartphone to plan your journey in advance.

You don’t even need to move from bed to map your journey. Apps like Waze provide drivers with updated information about their trip.

From unexpected traffic congestions to alternate routes, you have the opportunity to plan your journey according to your needs.

Enjoy the scenic view

This tip applies to motorists who must drive for more than hour to arrive at work. Reduce the negative impact of a long commute by enjoying the scenic view.

If you must drive near the ocean, roll your car window down, and let the sea breeze refresh your mood.

Other than focusing on natural landscapes, you may also appreciate driving through historical buildings or modern roads with incredible landmarks.

Customize your playlist

Since you are already making miraculous effort to survive a 60-minute-plus commute, you may upgrade the experience by listening to your favorite songs from your playlist.

Amid the benefits of listening to classical music, such as Mozart or Bach, you could also listen to any other type of music that could help you stay focused while on the road.

Be mindful though. You could make a difference by listening to your favorite songs at a moderate volume. Have you considered listening to podcasts or audiobooks?

Share the experience with a friend

While many people opt for ride-sharing services as a reasonable commuting choice, consider following a similar path, such as carpooling.

You may enjoy driving with your friends to work, which not only saves on gas, but also makes your trip more entertaining to say the least.

Do you enjoy solo driving or taking people with you?

Public transport is always a positive choice

If you rather drive your vehicle over taking any other form of public transport, you might want to reconsider your preferences.

It may be true that you could get to your destination quicker by driving, but you might be able to do other things like watching videos or catching up with work while using public transport.

Of course, this advice directly applies to urbanites or any other commuter who lives in an area with optimal access to public transport.

Work from home and skip extreme commuting

You might be able to change your working habits by having a chat with your employer to let them know about the hurdles of your commute.

There are many studies which emphasizes the benefits of telecommuting compared to working at the office based on productivity.

If your employer allows you to take that choice, you will no longer need to worry about extreme commuting, nor spending greater amounts of money on fuel and other vehicle maintenance costs.

SEE ALSO: This Is Exactly Why Drowsiness Impairs Drivers On The Road