Would you take a job with a long-commute?

32 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 2:15PM UTC

   So, currently, I'm hybrid. My local office went away end of September, so my designated office is an hour drive. North. In MI. Winter can be fun. Another office I occasionally work out of is about an hour fifteen. My commute there is usually fine. It's the drive home that can be challenging. Several times last summer that drive was much longer - in one instance 3 hours. Right now, 2 days awake is the norm for me to do the hour drive. Some weeks, 3 days. And come late spring, it's likely to be required minimum 3 days a week.

   So all that to say...I would if I was desperate. If I was single, no kids (or dogs) I probably wouldn't think twice about it. But you need to keep in mind too that sometimes that commute may be longer due to circumstances beyond your control.

2. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 2:36PM UTC

   Think about where you would fit the 4.5 hours in. (1.5 hr. each way, add a 1/2 hr. for unforeseen events and an hour for getting ready to go) do you have 4.5 hrs. in your day? Don't forget to factor in the 8-9 hours for actual work. So, 13.5 hrs. out of a 24-hr. day. Assuming 8 for sleep, you'll have 2.5 hrs. a day for the rest of everything else. What are you going to have to give up or do differently to give you that time daily or even two to three times a week. Some people find they use that time in the car to decompress or improve their minds/skills. Others, it's a huge stressor. Only you can really decide what the impacts are going to be.

   If it was me, I'd write out a pros/cons list about the short- and long-term impacts (car, expenses, gas, etc.) including the emotional impacts of losing that much of my time in my life. I used to have that kind of commute so I can tell you that I couldn't go back to it. Too much stress, too much loss of Me and my time. I felt like all I was doing was working or thinking about work or getting ready for work or getting home from work.

3. AnonymousJanuary 14,2025 at 1:55PM UTC

   I love pros/cons list. It's a great way to see things visually.

4. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 3:09PM UTC

   Highly dependent on your personal situation.

   I am in the office 1-2 times per week. Have a similar commute and leave my house at 6am and leave the office at 2:30pm . Not horrible and completely doable. I listen to audio books and podcasts, sip my tea and glide to the office with a clear head. I love the peace.

   With organization, I find things click into place. But your situation might be horrible. It's highly subjective.

5. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 3:45PM UTC

   See if you can work remotely. Three days a week. If you don't have a job, take the job and see if you can increase pay. Explain that you would love to work at the place, but need to update car for commute.

6. Kimberley Ferretti HammettJanuary 13,2025 at 4:19PM UTC

   Weigh what you value in your life currently and remember that it's all temporary. I would have been fine with this, especially if it was hybrid, about 5 or 6 years ago when I had no kids and easy access to a lot of friends and activities right outside my door at home, so when I was home, I could walk to parks or to lunch on breaks or go to the gym before or after a long commute without guilt of being away from the house so long.

   Now I have 2 kids and less immediate access to those friends and activities so waking up early after a night of no sleep with the baby or being away from my house for 10+ hours a day would be really difficult for me to choose. I wouldn't even be able to pick my kids up from daycare before it closes!

   Think about how this role can overall add and take away from your quality of life both today and 1-3 years from now. If you feel like it would decrease your quality of life now but may likely increase it in the long run, give yourself a time limit. If you don't see growth potential in 6 months, for example, time to start looking closer so that by the time you've got a year under your belt you can hopefully land something better (or hopefully sooner!).

   I hope that framing is helpful! Good luck!

7. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 4:35PM UTC

   I have been a road warrior for several years. Some thought I was crazy, but it helped my career and kept me employed to help pay the bills.

8. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 6:44PM UTC

   Temporarily yes, long term you will get burned out by this. It will be interesting if they entertain an alternate schedule, doesn't hurt to ask as long as it's not a deal breaker for you if you want the role. Metro region without public transportation, guess metro can look different, that's too bad.

9. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 7:16PM UTC

   Been doing a similar commute 2x weekly and adjust my hours to get in early so I can leave early. I adjusted easily actually but then again, I love my job and the good paycheck. I'm not planning to leave.

10. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 9:31PM UTC

    It depends on how great the job is.

11. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 10:21PM UTC

    People do this everyday but you mentioned the pay isn’t great. If it’s a rare opportunity and gets you employed could you negotiate a stipend in addition to your salary? You could use that to rent a room for 2-3 nights or VRBO for the nights you need? Would you consider relocating and negotiate a relo package. Or commute and remote Mondays and Fridays? I work with someone that commutes an hour each way 3x a week: it’s doable but it’s wear and tear on your car, more mileage that wears your car down, tires down and is expensive considering paying for gas more often. Personally I would only do it once a week which I’ve done and was remote 4 days. It sounds like you will spend more money than increasing your financial picture. There will be more money going out than in. Unless you like blowing money and time, I’d look elsewhere.

12. AnonymousJanuary 13,2025 at 11:50PM UTC

    I once did a nine-month consulting gig, where the commute was three hours by plane, so I rented an apartment and commuted each week. Luckily for me, the company paid the travel and apartment expenses, which are likely not something that any company would be willing to do for a 1.5-hour commute. Is there a reason you couldn't move closer to where the job is or rent a room?

13. AnonymousJanuary 14,2025 at 4:16PM UTC

    Yes relocated to specific place to be near family (sandwich generation) to be near elderly mother, an excellent children’s hospital and top school district for kids (also promised I wouldn’t make my eldest switch schools again).

14. AnonymousJanuary 14,2025 at 5:31AM UTC

    Personally, I would not give up three hours of my day to a commute. And in the rain, accidents, someone getting a ticket on the side of the highway, any kind of traffic - it's going to be longer than that.

    I would either not take the job or move closer. The one thing you can't make more of is time.

15. NGfairy2024#January 14,2025 at 1:31PM UTC

    Yes..... you always have an option to quit.....but you'll regret if you dont even try it

16. AnonymousJanuary 14,2025 at 2:02PM UTC

    Thank about any disasters you'll always be late and get sides eyes from the nosy Nancy's in the office . Why bother ? They should offer you an option of hybrid work .It 2924 no excused not to have a hybrid work environment unless it's a restaurant and you are a server. These companies are ridiculous

17. Amy HanleyJanuary 14,2025 at 2:24PM UTC

    In my last role, I commuted (with traffic) 2 hours each way. Accidents could make it 2.5 hours. I was hybrid and only did it 2x a week, but it was hard on my mentally. On those days, I was so exhausted.

    if no hybrid is offered, I may have to decline. Or maybe ask if you could work non-peak travel hours??

18. AnonymousJanuary 14,2025 at 3:28PM UTC

    I would only do this if I could work 3 days remotely. you could do one night hotel stay for Day 1 and 2 onsite.

19. Jacqueline CutlerJanuary 14,2025 at 3:53PM UTC

    I would take this with so few appropriate jobs in your field, especially if you can be remote a couple of days a week. I have commuted that long twice, once where I had to drive and once where I could rely on mass transit.

    The difference now is that you could do hands-free calls on the drive and at least get caught up on calls during the drive or just listen to music and clear your head. But if the postings are that rare, and the salary is decent, I would do it, much as a slog as it may be.

20. AnonymousJanuary 14,2025 at 3:56PM UTC

    I do this daily. It's not easy, but if there is hope of a promotion or getting closer to home then go

    for it. Just be prepared for a long day and watching your odometer climb.

21. AnonymousJanuary 14,2025 at 4:51PM UTC

    It would depend on your financial situation, how quickly do you need a job and whether there are growth opportunities.

22. AnonymousJanuary 14,2025 at 4:52PM UTC

    The only person who can decide if it is worth it is you. Ask about carpools and see if any are available to you. Also see if you can add the time commuting to your work day by listening to some things on audio or other.

23. AnonymousJanuary 15,2025 at 1:33PM UTC

    A 3-hour round trip commute warrants moving closer to the job in my opinion. I would consider only doing this if you are willing to give up all that time commuting.

24. AnonymousJanuary 15,2025 at 1:39PM UTC

    You definitely need to consider your other obligations especially your mental health. A long commute can affect it. Money isn't everything. I have learned this the hard way when jumping to other opportunities.

25. AnonymousJanuary 15,2025 at 1:52PM UTC

    It depends on if you have kids.

    Plans after work that require detail.

    and a high paying salary. You don’t want most of your pay to go to gas. Also consider the traffic. 1.5 could turn into two.

    Consider your health

    Consider your mental health

26. Catherine BovellJanuary 15,2025 at 2:02PM UTC

    I had a 1.5 hour four 10s work week with a 7:00AM start. By the three day weekend, I was exhausted.

    I did like starting early, but it was the commute through heavy truck traffic that was tiring.

    If it had been eight hour days with three days in the office and two days working remotely, it may have been better.

    I would ask for one of those days to be Friday or Monday. Ideally you could get both days.

27. Cynithia MunichJanuary 16,2025 at 1:33AM UTC

    It depends. In my 20’s/30’s I would have. Now in my 60’s nope

28. AnonymousJanuary 17,2025 at 1:57PM UTC

    I did it for 5 years. Traveled from my home in a major city to work in a nearby major city in horrendous traffic that turned the 50 mile commute into an hour and 45 minute drive one way. This was pretty early in my career; I was still an independent contributor at the time. And it was in the early 2000’s before remote work was a thing. But I considered the role’s potential when I accepted the job. I would be exposed to the company’s highest decision makers on a daily basis, and it could possibly lead to the management track (it did). So even though I was the single mother of 2 teenage boys at the time, I accepted the role. There were a couple of snafus - one son took my long commute as an opportunity to skip school whenever we he pleased; the other got sick once and by the time I got him to the ER nearly 3 hours later he had to be hospitalized; I put over 40k miles on a brand new car in one year - but generally it was okay, and the commute became routine. I used that time to listen to audio books and just be alone in my thoughts.

    So in addition to things other responders have mentioned like the cost of the commute, I would advise you to consider your lifestyle, including your capacity to use the commute time to your advantage, and the future impact of the role on your ultimate career path when making your decision.

29. Krystin MorganJanuary 17,2025 at 5:42PM UTC

    Personally, no, I wouldn't. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't! It depends what else you have going on in your life - kids, pets, other hobbies, etc. - and whether you can fit in this added commute time. Plus, you'll have to think about the gas costs and additional wear on your vehicle. Is there any chance relocating is an option for you?

30. AnonymousJanuary 17,2025 at 6:41PM UTC

    Never again. I had a 2.5 hour commute each way. My quality of life was at an all-time low at that time. I did that for 4 years and it aged me by 10 years!

31. AnonymousJanuary 17,2025 at 9:37PM UTC

    I had a commute that was similar for a few years, and I regret that period of my life. So much time and energy was wasted just being in transit and being stressed from it. Hybrid would make it better, but unless there’s something especially compelling about the position, I personally wouldn’t do it.

32. maria roseJanuary 18,2025 at 8:53PM UTC

    Having dealt with long commute travel with my work because of being transferred, I can offer some advice to help the OP in deciding whether to accept the job offer. Make sure that the financial offering is compensating you for the time spent commuting in terms of the costs you would be spending to get there—remember that time spent commuting is part of your active day and cuts drastically into your personal time not spent at work. Also make sure that when you are off work, you will not be expected to respond to any work related issues in any form when clocked out on your days off.. Obviously you have not found a similar job offering closer to your current housing situation which is why you are looking for an opportunity that requires a travel commute. Also consider alternative methods to get to this job location, that don’t require ( public transportation options) to help avoid the additional stress of driving ( which most times involves driving in heavy traffic and not the best option despite the prevailing opinion of feeling that you control your travel commute) Take it from one who commuted for 15 years, you, the OP, would rather leave the driving seat to another and free that commute time for preparing for work and distressing from work so that when you are home you only deal with your personal life. If you can get financial compensated for the commute, it is worth considering. Remember that the trend today is in person work and less compensation is given if you’re looking for a WFH option, despite current perceived preference by employees for WFH. Again it all depends on your overall career path plan, because WFH has become the new version of what was previously known as the “mommy alternative “and is no longer a gender biased designation for slowing down your career path. I am not saying WFH is a negative option but I am emphasizing that that the decision to take a job opening offer has many factors than just right now effects. Chose what works best for your financial benefit especially if you financially need to have a job to support yourself and pay your necessity bills.