re: Is a 90 mile (one way) commute for a job too far?

As part of my job I drive 2000 - 2500 miles per week. I get paid for every mile.

I have to make a round trip to New Orleans (90 miles from my house) once a month and dread it every time. It's always rush hour when I have to head back home. It's close to 4 hours in the car sometimes. I am not sure what salary would entice me enough to do that 5 days a week, but it would have to be somewhere past the OT baller status threshold.

It's depressing to think about how much of life can be wasted inching along the highway in commuter traffic. 90 miles back and forth. Almost 20% (or more with traffic) of your daily awake time commuting. 8-hour workdays translates to at least 11 hours away from home and loved ones, or nearly 70% of your awake time each day, 5 days a week (which is over 71% of your week). At least 13% of your awake life each week spent commuting.

I commute to BR from New Orleans twice a week. It is terrible

You really need to sit down and do a complete financial analysis. Does the increased salary bump you up a tax bracket? Will it allow better retirement benefits? Like another poster alluded to, you should view at least 2 hours of the drive as part of hours worked.

You'll have to wake up much earlier every day and you will have days where you are very tired upon arriving home. Make no mistake about it, your quality of life will be much worse. Your being away so much will wear on your wife. Do you have kids? They won't enjoy trying to spend time w a dad that needs to rest.

Some people can pull it off, but I wouldn't want to spend 15 hours in a car every week. Your time isn't replaceable and is worth money.

My guess is that you'll hardly notice the increase in pay, but the loss of quality family time will wreak havoc on you.

If you can't get it to 2 hr round trip (which is still pretty long for a daily drive) then I'd pass on the job.

depends a lot of the job and the type of work you do.
I did it for 6 months. I worked out flex schedule - drove in early on Monday- stayed in town three nights and worked long days- worked half day Thursday and headed home-

Had two guys I worked with - one stayed in hotel 4 nights (worked with hotel and got a great monthly rate) the other bought a travel trailer and stayed in it 4 nights- they both are still doing it

See how flexible the company is

Well I take 2 hour lunches 2-3 times a week, shut it down at noon on Fridays and have unlimited vacation. It's nice not having a boss. I never miss a football, baseball, soccer game. I sometimes get more work done on my cummute than I do at the office.


You're not going to win this pissing match.

I commute to Lafayette from BR every day. Saying its miserable would be putting it to lightly.

Been going for 2 years. Have 1.5 years left. FML

lol. I would but there's no need for me to get into it. You have no idea who you're comparing careers and lifestyle with.

You too.

Speaking of vacations. St. John and Peter Island, BVI for 10 days beginning week after next.