How long is your daily commute?

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 07:59:12 -0500

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EDIT: Check out this man's "commute": 21 miles round-trip, ON FOOT! Four hours each way. Watch the video, 'cause it's a good one:

http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/02/03/hes-amazing-person-donations-pour-man-who-walks-21-miles-and-work

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I'm asking because I have had great commutes and not-so-great commutes.

One time I lived and worked on post, and my "commute" was a ten-minute walk.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I live near Baltimore and commuted to the Pentagon - by car, commuter train, and Metro - which was about 90 minutes each way.

And I currently have about a 25-minute drive to work, which I think is very good.

A D.C. radio station does an annual take-off on American Idol to see who has the worst commute in this area. It's fun to see the lengths to which some folks will go to get to work.

How about you? How's your daily commute? Does anyone tele-work? That's the best commute of all!

http://dcist.com/2014/05/winner_of_wtops_commuter_idol_spend.php

'Winner' Of WTOP's Commuter Idle Spends More Than Seven Hours Per Day Traveling

He likes Richmond that much.

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Feb 2 at 2015 8:05 AM

MSgt Michael Durkee — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 08:05:27 -0500

Like many here in the Lowcountry, my daily commute consists of braving I-26 from Summerville to North Charleston. While the 30-45 minutes really isn't that bad in comparison to some people's commutes, I-26 can be a treacherous endeavor and is really the only option unless you want to take a scenic route through back roads. :)

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Feb 2 at 2015 8:15 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 08:15:34 -0500

I have approximately a 45-50 minute commute currently.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 8:21 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 08:21:21 -0500

It should be great - according to google maps and my GPS, I should be at work in less than ten minutes.

In reality, it's about half an hour to an hour and a half depending on the time of day. I play movies for the kids on the commute home when the highway turns into a parking lot, so I have almost memorized Frozen and Rise of the Guardians.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 8:40 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 08:40:05 -0500

I would use a much more compressed scale. Mine is 40 to 45 minutes and I don't consider that good.

I put up with it because I get to work from home two days a week, my employer is understanding of my Guard commitments, I'm working with current release technology, and I haven't had to attend a conference call since I started here.

If I could take a train (there is one, but end of the line about 14 miles short) I'd be happier with a longer commute--not having to drive, saving the gas money, and being able to use that time to read a book would be cool.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 2 at 2015 8:46 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 08:46:21 -0500

Currently it takes me less than 10 minutes from the time I walk out my door to the time I get into my office, and have a coffee on my desk. It's pretty awesome. I live in Stafford, and work in Stafford (less than 3 miles away).

My last job was a dispatcher in the DC Metro area just past Dulles Airport. I would leave at 6:30 and get there between 8:00 & 8:30. I would depart at 5:30, and get home no earlier than 7:30.

The job previous to that was on a rotating schedule on Ft. Belvoir, so the commute was as short as 45 minutes, and as long as 2 hours. I95 traffic was a beast.

Having said that.... You just can't get that time back, and the 'stress' on the road just doesn't let you decompress the same way as you can once you are off the road. I would be hard pressed going back to more than 30 mins each way.

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Feb 2 at 2015 8:54 AM

CW5 Jim Steddum — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 08:54:08 -0500

From a lower Alabama perspective, 17 miles in about 20 minutes is pretty good door to door. I might get stuck behind four or five cars at the gate and hit every single one of the 10 traffic light in town, in which case give me 28 minutes door to door. (SO much better than Hawaii or DC).

Response by Maj Matt Hylton made Feb 2 at 2015 9:18 AM

Maj Matt Hylton — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 09:18:23 -0500

My current ~30-35 minute commute is great. I'm driving 22 miles down some back roads and one US highway with a 55 MPH speed limit to get from my house out in the country and up on Lake Jordan down to Gunter in Montgomery, Alabama.

My previous ~20-30 minute commute SUCKED. It was only about 4.5 miles of all side streets driving (or bicycling, no difference in time) through multiple stop lights on the extremely busy streets from Redondo Beach, CA to Los Angeles AFB, CA.

To me, it's less about the time involved in the commute (so long as it's not REALLY long) vs. the stress associated with what conditions you are driving through. It's always something I take into consideration when looking for a place to live wherever I am stationed.

In LA, living in a smaller house somewhat close to the base was better than living in base housing (45-90 commute away from the base) or other areas of town; but it was still a stressful commute on some days. I can deal with the same length of commute here in AL because I'm not dealing with that volume of traffic and the place we are living is worth the drive.

Response by SrA Andrea West made Feb 2 at 2015 9:29 AM

SrA Andrea West — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 09:29:38 -0500

Takes about ten minutes door to door. I am very happy with this, needless to say.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 9:34 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 09:34:35 -0500

In my previous position I was able to pedal bike to work as it was less than two miles. I had even done it inclement weather. It was in a city that promoted bicycling.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made Feb 2 at 2015 9:41 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 09:41:55 -0500

I think the worst commute I have had was about 1.5 hours ea way. This was when I was a stupid Lcpl and got married. I guess I am lucky now. I am in sales and live right in the middle of silicon valley. It is a commuters nightmare. I happen to live right in the middle of my territory. So my longest commute to visit a customer would be to San Francisco in the am and that would take about 1hr.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 10:25 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 10:25:55 -0500

I leave my house at 5:15 am and arrive at my office at 7:45 am, so it’s about 2.5 hours. This commute involves driving, a train, the metro, and finally a 0.75 mile walk. I only do it 3 days a week so it’s not too bad and it allows me to live in the country and work in the city.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 10:27 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 10:27:19 -0500

During my last year in service it was pretty rough. I was commuting to Fort Campbell from Bowling Green, KY which came out to be a 70 mile/1 hour 45 minute commute. Considering I needed to be at my unit by 0500 every morning I'll let you all do the math.

Response by Sgt Martin V. made Feb 2 at 2015 10:29 AM

Sgt Martin V. — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 10:29:13 -0500

Right now 10-15 mins depending on traffic. But I might move farther where my dollar buys more house and less property tax. That would add another 30 mins depending on where I go. I am weighing this in my house buying decision :)

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 2 at 2015 11:51 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 11:51:22 -0500

Depends on traffic. I live on the west side of El Paso. I literally directly on the other side of the Franklin mountains as William Beaumont AMC (less than 5 miles as the crow flies). However, I have to go AROUND the mountain everyday. Takes me about 30-45 mins if traffic is bad.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 11:52 AM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 11:52:54 -0500

I've had 2 minute commutes and I've had 80 minute commutes. Current commute is 35 minutes and only sucks when the weather does.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 12:01 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 12:01:58 -0500

So, my commute has progressively gotten smaller over the years. 2011, my commute was 2.5 hours. 2012 to 2013, my commute was 50min-1hr. 2014 is 35 minutes (until construction ramps back up on 6 Feb, if I'm lucky my commute will be 1.5 hours).

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Feb 2 at 2015 12:33 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 12:33:02 -0500

I used to have a tough commute...couple hours through stop-and-go to get through a tunnel and to work or home. When I realized it was defining my life and making me grumpy dad with my family, I proposed a move. Since the move, 30-35 min commute and my daughter is amazed...there was a nice guy hiding under all that frustration and anger.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Feb 2 at 2015 3:43 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 15:43:33 -0500

My current gig is a grueling 20 feet, from bedroom to office every morning at 0730.

Back when I was at Microsoft, it was, weather permitting, an 18-minute walk through a temperate rain forest.

A lot better than the 48 miles each way every day with a trip through the "Mixmaster" system in downtown Dallas during peak hours, back when I lived in Frisco TX and was compelled to commute to Lancaster.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Feb 2 at 2015 5:28 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:28:23 -0500

Great! It is a 5 minute walk.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 2 at 2015 5:48 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 17:48:03 -0500

I'm not sure you'd call mine a commute really. More like an easy drive a few miles down the road. I drive 7 miles, 1 mile city streets, 6 miles on a state highway...less than 10 minutes. That's the benefits of rural living.

I have had some horrible commutes though. I always hated driving into down town San Diego from El Cajon...grrrr. No wonder there was people shooting each other on the highway. Take an hour to go 20 miles sometimes.

Response by MAJ Monique Ruiz made Feb 2 at 2015 6:05 PM

MAJ Monique Ruiz — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 18:05:08 -0500

My commute for weekend training is five hours. It can get complicated when a wet signature is required.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 2 at 2015 9:30 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 21:30:50 -0500

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member, less than 15 minutes, even with traffic. I voted Other since I consider my commute to be greater than Great!

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Feb 2 at 2015 10:38 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 22:38:03 -0500

It depends.
When I'm wearing my Marquez Racing shirt, my commute is about 4 seconds, as the shop is attached to the house.
When Im wearing my Total Rider shirt and teaching folks how to ride Motorcycles my commute is 40 min.
When Im wearing my Contractor shirt and teaching folks to ride motorcycles on Ft Hood my commute is about 30 min.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 3 at 2015 1:02 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 01:02:40 -0500

I'm self-employed as a farrier, so I drive out every day. I'll usually put on from 600 - 800 k every week. I enjoy my driving time, gives my mind time to wonder. That's how my book "Thoughts of a Crazy Old Man" was written: http://beslagsmed.wix.com/mikelwdawson#!thoughts-of-a-crazy-old-man/c1ger

I found it amazing what traveled through my brain and just had to write it down. The book is meant for pure mindless, senseless entertainment. Get a copy and abuse a cup of coffee buy spilling it as you laugh.

Mikel W. Dawson's Books

Fantastic books from a fresh new author. Written is a form which allows you to read, relax and enjoy. Follow Mikel as a guide in Idaho to a farrier in Denmark

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 5:48 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:48:44 -0500

Check out this GREAT story about a man in Detroit who walked 21 miles round trip to get to and from work. And he walked it for about ten years! That's a brutal commute, but it's a happy ending and a feel good story. Watch the video and note that he credits his father who was in the military for his tenacity and his good attitude. Amen. God bless James Robertson!

http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/02/03/hes-amazing-person-donations-pour-man-who-walks-21-miles-and-work

A Detroit Man Who Walks 21 Miles to Work Is Getting Tons of Help From Strangers

For the past 10 years, a Detroit man has walked 21 miles round trip to and from the factory where he works.

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Feb 3 at 2015 6:54 PM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 18:54:17 -0500

The only way I can bear it is going through the University of the Automobile, thank god for books on tape!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 8:18 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 20:18:11 -0500

Great right now. Before when i was in Hawaii it was over an hour due to the traffic JAMS!

Response by SGT Steven Montgomery made Feb 3 at 2015 8:20 PM

SGT Steven Montgomery — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 20:20:02 -0500

35 minutes each way but I deal with it!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2015 8:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 20:20:08 -0500

I commute 60 miles one way. It takes me just over an hour to drive this. However, I think my commute is pretty good - I spend that hour thinking about things that need to happen at work, or that I need to do at home. I deliberately chose to move that far out from work because I now have a mid-size house, and 15+ acres, with an inground swimming pool and a rifle and pistol range. My home is in the middle of the property, and the nearest neighbor is a 1/4 mile away. I have woods surrounding my home, and this makes it very quiet and peaceful out there. I shoot whenever I want, no one bothers me, and no one sees me. Traffic isn't too bad except around Fort Bragg during rush hour. Since I currently work nights, I don't even have to worry about that!

Response by Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP made Feb 3 at 2015 8:27 PM

Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 20:27:08 -0500

I'm going with Brutal only because "friggin abysmal" is not an option.

DC commute...live in Fredericksburg - only place we could afford to buy during the run-up prior to the crash. 43 miles door to door (one way). 1:45 if I use mass transit (car, train, bus, walk). 1:20 on a good day via car assuming I avoid HOV restrictions (~2-3x per week). 2:30 on a bad day (~1-2x per week). 4 hours + on a really crappy day (~1-2x per month...and most every Friday during the summer).

They recently opened up Express (Toll) lanes on I-95. Toll is approximately $10 round trip based on judicious entry / exit points - and am now predictably making the trip at just under an hour. You have no idea how awesome a 1-hour one-way commute feels - and how absolutely sick I sound in my own head typing those words.

Response by SFC Vernon McNabb made Feb 4 at 2015 3:28 PM

SFC Vernon McNabb — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:28:58 -0500

From driveway to parking lot, takes about 17 minutes, and I live off-post. County highways and backroads, low traffic, and mostly 55 mph until I get to the gate.