Distance From Work To Home: How Far Should You Live From Work

Many of us commute daily, but how far is a reasonable commute to work? Have you been worried about your morning drive or walk because it takes too long? It is quite common for people to commute to work unless they work from home.

It’s common for employees to commute to work each day, and many of them travel long distances. Whether you do regular commutes or long drives daily, your emotional well-being and physical and mental health can be negatively affected.

According to research, those who commuted longer were 33% more likely to suffer from depression and 21% more likely to have obesity than those who commuted less than 30 minutes.

Every day, thousands of people travel unbelievably long distances to reach their workplaces. Living close to work makes some people’s lives easier. We have to drive to work every day, fighting traffic and crowds of people.

What commute time is considered reasonable? Through this blog, you will learn about the ideal travelling distance to home and how far you should live.

7 Best Ways To Commute To Work 

There are many ways to commute during a workday. Depending on what your job is and where it is located, you have various options. 

The below points are optional for both towns and cities and can make your commute to work easier and more enjoyable.

1. Driving a personal Vehicle

A personal vehicle is a popular method of transportation for commuting to work. For people commuting in towns and cities, it allows you to travel at your convenience. Therefore, you are not reliant on others when you travel.

2. Walking

A popular option for people who live close to their workplace is to walk. Although you don’t have to do it daily, doing it often benefits your health.

3. Car share

Encourage car sharing with colleagues who live nearby, whether you’re the driver or the passenger. By travelling together, you not only reduce your environmental impact but also save daily time and money over travelling separately.

4. Train

There are a substantial number of people who commute to work by railway. People often travel by train because it is the most convenient and cost-effective way to travel from one city to another.

5. Bicycling

Cycling may be an option for those living far away from their workplace. Getting in your daily exercise is easy with this method. The benefits of exercising before work include improving your mood and preparing you for the day ahead. Just make sure your electronics are protected while cycling from the rain (read about the differences between ipx7 vs ip67 for waterproof protection)

6. Electric Bike

Bike and scooter usage as a mode of transportation is fantastic, and you can say goodbye to cycling with a scooter or electric bike. Compared to commuting on a bike, they will allow you to get to work without sweating or getting too hot. 

7. Public Bus

It is extremely convenient and affordable to travel by bus. Most bus routes run regularly, making commuting to work easy. A bus ticket can also save you money since they offer weekly and monthly passes.

How Far Should You Live From Work

It will take you longer to commute if you live a long way from work. While there are benefits to living close to your job, such as less time spent commuting and more time for leisure activities, it’s important to consider your needs and what’s best for you.  

If you have a commute, it can be stressful and tiring, which can affect your work performance. For your performance management, you should try to find a job closer to your home. 

In the United States, the average commute time to work is 26 minutes each way, but this number can vary depending on where you live. If you are travelling long miles every day, it’s important to consider the time spent on the road when considering how far I am from work and how far I should live.

Prior to accepting a job offer, check the ideal commute time and find out how far it is from home to work. You don’t want to end up with work that’s too far from home and add hours to your daily commute.

Many people think you should live close to your work, but this is not always the case. If you live too close, you might struggle to get away from work on time.

If you live too far, you may spend time on the road and dealing with road congestion. The ideal distance to live from work depends on your situation.

What is the Reasonable Distance to Commute to Work

Two factors determine a reasonable and average commute to work: time and distance.

The reasonable commute should not exceed 50 miles and preferably not exceed five straight lines. The surrounding landscape or the travel conditions from your home to work highly determine the average commuting ways to work.

Reasonable commuting distance examples include: 

A location that is not more than a distance can be travelled by automobile under average traffic, weather, and road conditions to an employee’s assigned duty station. 

What is the Reasonable Commute Time to Work

The commute to work is inevitable unless you work remotely. There are several ways to get there, depending on how far you travel. 

These include walking, driving, or using the subway. Whatever the distance, determining a reasonable travel time is important irrespective of the distance.

While there is no hard and fast rule for commuting, the U.S. Census Bureau says that “The average commute distance is 26.1 minutes in the U.S.” It’s up to you to determine what’s reasonable based on your circumstances.

Commuting from home to work should be less than 50 miles and within 30 minutes, and the surrounding area of your workplace should be within 50 miles of your home.

It is ideal for commuters to take at least 5 minutes to commute to work, and the one-way commute should take more than 16 minutes.

How long a commute is too Long

Normally commutes that last for more than 45 minutes are considered long. You need to consider some variables when you have to figure out how long a commute is too long and how far it is from home to work. 

What are the different things which might influence the answer to this question?

Factors Determining How Far to Work      

If you consider these aspects for determining how far to work, you’ll be well on deciding whether to accept the new position.

1) Commuting costs

The cost of driving a long trip to work every day in your car can add up. With gas prices rising, the cost of keeping your vehicle on the road is also increasing.

A Degradation and damage to a car can also lead to expensive repairs down the road. The following factors should be considered when deciding whether or not to commute by car.

2) Loss of time

The amount of time you’ll spend driving for work that is a long way from work is something you should consider before accepting it.

3) Do you love the job 

Your job’s importance depends on how you feel about it. A lengthy commute might be worth it if you adore your work and can’t imagine doing anything else. 

However, if you don’t like your profession or have other options with a shorter commute, you might not consider it.

4) Type of the car you drive 

As a commuter, you must understand how important fuel efficiency, safety features, and comfort are. The vehicle you choose needs to be reliable and comfortable for you to drive to work and back.

If you commute most of the time on the road, you’ll need a car with good gas mileage. In the same way, you should choose a vehicle equipped with options that will make your ride more enjoyable if you have a long commute.

5) Your wage 

If your wage is moderately low you will not want to spend a large proportion commuting to work. For example, if you are working a retail job you may be on a low wage so spending your spare time and money traveling to work is not worth it. Finding a job closer to home with a shorter travel time will be beneficial. 

Effects of Long Commutes to Work on Health 

Many commuters experience symptoms such as sweating, anxiety, and irritability that can have negative effects on their mental well-being. 

It is important to note that commuters who travel greater distances to work each day, either by rail or road, experience chronic stress symptoms, including sleep disruption and emotional instability.

List of 5 Effects of Long Commutes on Health

In the following list, you’ll find five effects of long commutes on health.

1) You Rarely Exercise Anymore

It Working long hours or commuting a long distance will make it more likely that you won’t get enough exercise. Your long commute might make you less energized when you arrive at work. 

2. Social Life Suffers

Long commutes can negatively impact your social life. Travelling to work more than 20 minutes daily decreases people’s time for socially-oriented activities, such as visiting friends and family, exercising, playing sports, and attending weddings.

3. Impact on productivity at Work

When you spend most of your time stressing about your commute, you have less energy to deal with your work, which reduces your productivity.

4. You get Stressed Out

The long commute has been linked to various negative health impacts, including increased stress and poorer cardiovascular health. Unpredictability in traffic leads car commuters and those who use public transportation to experience higher levels of stress and mood swings. 

5. Your happiness Deteriorates, and You Feel Unsatisfied

Life satisfaction and enjoyment of people who commute at any time are lower than those who do not commute. Taking a bus for more than 30 minutes has been linked to the most melancholy happiness and life satisfaction levels.

Top Excuses for Being Late Due to a Long Commute

There are many reasons why people might be late to work, but a long commute is one of the common excuses for most people. The following are some typical reasons for being late due to a longer commute:

1. Traffic congestion

The problem of traffic congestion is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to commuting. Those living in big towns are probably too familiar with the morning and evening rush hour traffic. Even if you leave home early, there’s no guarantee that you won’t get stuck in traffic.

2. Limited Public Transport

Another problem that many people face is limited public transport. If your workplace is located in a remote area or there’s no public transport available, you’ll have no choice but to drive, and this can often add an extra hour or two to your commute.

3. Poor weather conditions

Worse weather can also make commuting time to work difficult. Heavy rains or snow can make roads slippery and dangerous, while strong winds can make travelling by bus or rail difficult.

4. Inclement Traffic Accidents

Unfortunately, traffic accidents are also a common occurrence on the road. When this happens, it can cause huge delays and add even more time to your commute.

5. Family Illness

Family-related emergencies are often good excuses for being late to work. Please notify your supervisor if you need to care for someone before heading into the office.

You need to take care of sick members, such as children, parents, or spouses, and you need to take care of them. It is a legitimate excuse to miss work.

6. Sickness

Whenever you are unwell, it’s best to avoid going to work. You can probably attend work if you’re suffering from something mild, like a headache. No matter what, no one at the office will want to be around you if you are ill and sneezing nonstop.

You must inform your manager immediately when you’re not feeling well and can’t go to work.

7. A Situation Unexpectedly Arises

No matter how hard you try, it is impossible to plan for unexpected circumstances.

Imagine that you are on vacation, the flight back home is delayed due to weather conditions, and you cannot attend work on time.

Missing work is not your fault, and it is an acceptable excuse.

8. Death of a Loved Ones

Employers usually understand when a close friend or loved one passes away, and such a tragedy is beyond description.

Be sure to inform your employer of the situation and any upcoming funeral arrangements you may need to make. Many companies have bereavement policies that allow you to take a certain amount of time off without affecting your task.

9. Commuting is Causing You Serious Problems

Complications related to longer commutes are frequently beyond your control. It may be a breakdown on your bus, a delay on the train, or an accident on your route. 

When you are unable to reach work on time, you may have to notify your boss that you are unable to reach on time at work. 

10. You have Medical Appointments

You may need to take time off work to make an appointment at a medical facility. Schedule these appointments in the morning or afternoon, so you only need to take a half-day off.

You must notify your manager if you cannot come to work for a valid reason.

Final Words

Commuting times to work is necessary, but longer commutes do not have to be exhausting all the time. The best way to reduce your average commute times is to do a job search near your home or get remote work that doesn’t even require you to travel.

Have you ever been late for work and used a good excuse? You will find the top 10 excuses for being late on this list. 

Bonus Article: Trying to improve the efficiency and productivity of a remote employee? Check it out!

FAQ

1. How far should you live from work?

Taking 30 minutes to commute is definitely within an acceptable commute distance.

2. Is 1 hour too far to commute to work?

It is generally acceptable to commute to work by car from 30 minutes to 60 minutes, especially in big cities.

3. What is a good distance to commute to work?

If possible, commute distances should not exceed 50 miles.