12 Ways to Make Your Commute More Enjoyable

According to the latest information from the United States Census Bureau, the average one-way commute time for Americans is 27.6 minutes. That means that, on average, Americans spend over 55 minutes in the car per day, 4.6 hours in the car per week and 238 hours in the car per year. 

Although traffic can be a drag, there’s no reason all this time should go to waste. Take the opportunity to listen to stimulating content, learn something new or catch up with old friends! Here are some more great ways to make your commute more enjoyable.

• Bring a Tasty, Hydrating Beverage — Whether it be flavored water, an iced coffee or an energizing tea, you’ll always want something to sip on while you’re on a long drive. Make sure to fill your trusty water bottle with fresh H2O so you stay properly hydrated no matter what the commute throws your way. 

• Upgrade Your Water Bottle — One great way to ensure that you stay hydrated is to switch to a reusable water bottle. Upgrading to a high-quality option, such as the Porter water bottle, will help ensure that your beverages stay chilled for longer. Glass water bottles are a better option than flimsy single-use plastic ones, which can leach out harmful chemicals when left in a hot car.

• Load Up on Audiobooks — If you love to read or enjoy listening to engaging stories, the car is a great place for you to absorb the latest best-sellers. Surprisingly, you don’t have to sink a ton of money into a paid audiobook service to get hours of fascinating content. In fact, your local library likely offers free audiobooks via the app Libby or another service. Take advantage of this to enjoy everything from purely entertaining novels to interesting nonfiction reads.

• Queue Up a Binge-Worthy Podcast — Podcasts, like audiobooks, can take you on rousing adventures without having to leave your car or the seat on your city bus. Check out the top charts on your podcast app of choice — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, etc. — to find options that keep you engaged. From true crime to celebrity interviews, there are shows that suit every kind of podcast listener.  

• Jam Out to a Curated Playlist — The mixed tape is the original road trip soundtrack, and it certainly hasn’t gone out of style. Make sure you stock your favorite streaming service with plenty of fun playlists so you always have something enjoyable to listen to, even if you’re stuck in traffic.

• Check in with Friends and Family — There’s nothing wrong with choosing silence on your commute, but if you feel like you need to connect with friends or family, consider using this time to give them a ring and catch up. If you’re driving to work, make sure to invest in a hands-free headset or car Bluetooth system so that you’re not distracted by holding your phone.
• Upgrade to High-Tech Headphones — This one is for those of us who take public transportation each day and love to jam out or listen to podcasts. If you find yourself on a loud public bus or train and want to drown out the ambient noise, consider investing in some quality noise-cancelling headphones that will help you enjoy your podcasts and playlists even more. Wireless headphones are great for minimalists who don’t want to fuss with cords, but any high-quality option will do.
• Invest in Some Comfy Driving Shoes — Spend a lot of time as the captain of your own ship (or sedan)? Then you’re going to want to ditch the uncomfortable dress shoes for some cozy loafers while you drive. There’s nothing worse than feeling confined for long hours on the road, but a pair of soft, cushioned driving shoes will make the commute feel more relaxed.

• Learn a New Language — Some of the top-rated language learning services are ones that rely on audio, which means you can take advantage of them while you’re on your way to work. Experts say that it takes 480 hours to reach fluency in some languages, so, in theory, you could learn a whole new language during your commuting hours after just a couple of years! Of course, you’ll want to make sure you practice your conversation skills outside of your commute, too.

• Don’t Forget the Snacks — As long as you’ve got a few airtight food storage containers in your bag, you can load up on gourmet snacks and even full meals to enjoy on the go. To minimize distractions while driving, be sure to choose non-messy foods that don’t require utensils, such as nuts, salty snacks, fresh fruit, muffins, egg bites, granola bars, premade wraps, sandwiches, etc.

• Clean Up Your Frame of Vision — Nothing ruins an otherwise enjoyable drive quite like a dirty windshield or smudged glasses. Be sure you have a clear frame of vision while you’re driving by starting the morning off with a deep clean of the windshield and your eyeglasses. Always make sure your car has plenty of windshield wiper fluid and use the squeegees at the gas station if necessary.

• Make Your Car Comfier — Have you ever noticed that long drives leave you with back pain, leg soreness or even cramps in your hand? Transform your car’s cab into a luxurious five-star experience by integrating some car comfort accessories. Whether it be a lumbar support pillow for your back, a soft seatbelt strap cover to prevent your seatbelt from digging into your skin or a massaging car chair cushion, these upgrades will make your commute feel like a bona fide spa visit.

Aim for Enjoyable Without Causing Distraction 

You likely already know that distracted driving is one of the leading causes of automobile accidents in the United States. While you aim to make your commute more enjoyable, it’s also important to ensure that you don’t take away from your ability to focus on the road. Queuing up your playlists and placing snacks within reach before you pull out of your driveway at home will help ensure that you take advantage of this valuable commute time without distraction.