Tips for someone who is new to a long driving commute

[Anonymous]

I live in Arlington, and about two years ago, I quite my job at a DC employer for one in Baltimore. The pay is better at the new job, and more importantly, I'm no longer in a toxic environment. When I made the switch, we were fully remote due to Covid and have remained that way until now. I've gone into the office every few months, but starting after Labor Day, we have to be in the office three days/week. It is my dream job so I'm not planning to look elsewhere. But I do have to figure out what to do on a commute that probably will be about 50-70 min./day. It doesn't seem like there is a ton of traffic going in my direction, particularly because my hours are on the early side.

But, this also means that I will be in the car for a while. Interested in tips from others with long commutes about what makes it more manageable. Audiobooks, podcasts, any travel gear/devices, seat massagers, etc. I had always taken the metro, so this is all very new to me.

[Anonymous]

50-70 minutes one way? If it's truly per day, that's not a long commute. That's just a normal commute.

[Anonymous]

My husband did this commute for a couple years. I'm sorry to say the commute was often twice what you're estimating coming home, so be prepared. He listened to a lot of podcasts and audio books from the public library. Arlington has good collections!

[Anonymous]

Oh my god. The pay would have to be at least 600k for me to do that commute. And I only currently make $120.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:50-70 minutes one way? If it's truly per day, that's not a long commute. That's just a normal commute.

Maybe in hell. That is a long commute.

[Anonymous]

Any time I’m in the car for more than 15 minutes I listen to an audible book bouncing back and forth between fiction and non fiction. It is a great way to fill in idle time. Get the Audible app through Amazon and it’s about $15/book. In four years I’ve listened to about 70 books.

[Anonymous]

When my husband had a long commute he listened to Spanish dvds and taught himself Spanish.

[Anonymous]

I left a toxic job with a 5-min. commute each way for my dream job with a 45-min drive each way. i even took a 20% pay cut! That was nine years ago and I’ve never regretted it. I don’t love the drive but it is completely worth it to not dread going into work, and to even love what I do.

I got an Audible subscription. The suggestions algorithm is quite good.

[Anonymous]

50-70 minutes = taking the train?

[Anonymous]

Forget Audible. Use your library card and the Libby app to borrow audiobooks for free. The libraries in the DC area have massive collections. I often grab new releases on publication day.

[Anonymous]

Listen to audio books for sure. They help me so much! Otherwise I'd be ruminating on things and getting more stressed out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Arlington, and about two years ago, I quite my job at a DC employer for one in Baltimore. The pay is better at the new job, and more importantly, I'm no longer in a toxic environment. When I made the switch, we were fully remote due to Covid and have remained that way until now. I've gone into the office every few months, but starting after Labor Day, we have to be in the office three days/week. It is my dream job so I'm not planning to look elsewhere. But I do have to figure out what to do on a commute that probably will be about 50-70 min./day. It doesn't seem like there is a ton of traffic going in my direction, particularly because my hours are on the early side.

But, this also means that I will be in the car for a while. Interested in tips from others with long commutes about what makes it more manageable. Audiobooks, podcasts, any travel gear/devices, seat massagers, etc. I had always taken the metro, so this is all very new to me.

Arlington to Baltimore on week days in 50-70 min? That's tough commute

[Anonymous]

Find some good podcasts. Always use Waze.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find some good podcasts. Always use Waze.

+1 to both if you are driving, plus plan phone calls that you can make in the car. I always catch up with my parents during commutes.

[Anonymous]

OP - your commute is not going to be 50-70 minutes if the job is actually in Baltimore. Maybe with no traffic, but you'll hit traffic. I'd seriously consider moving, even if its to the Union Market area or Silver Spring