To commute 40 miles each way?

[GirlofInkandStars]

I’m looking for a new job as my current contract is ending soon. I’ve seen a role which looks like a good fit but it’s a forty mile trip each way. It’s rural and so driving is the only option - Google maps suggests it’s about 1 hour on a mix of country roads and/or motorway.

The job itself will likely involve additional driving as it’s a spread out area. During induction (2 months the expectation would to be on site 3 days a week but less after this ( but still regular).

Is it madness to consider travelling this far?

I often drive an hour each way and 40 ish miles for a job

That’s exactly my daily commute, same combination of rural roads then motorway. I also longer/different locations fairly regularly.

I wouldn’t bat an eyelid. It’s actually one of the shorter commutes I’ve had during my career.

I don’t have DC or anything to consider, though, which would potentially make it less suitable under other circumstances.

How does it compare to what you currently do or have done? Is it a step up so worthwhile from a career perspective?

It's not very far, and plenty of people commute far longer. What would you do if you were without a car for any reason?

I did it for a year or so. You'll notice things like when the schools are on holidays - the roads are so quiet and your journey is miraculously much quicker! Make sure you factor in the cost of fuel. I had a cheeky little Mini Cooper at the time which was VERY thirsty. I was never out of the petrol station 😑

I wouldn't but everyone's different.. How much do you value your spare time and do you think you could leave on the dot at the end of the working day? If you think you could always make a clean getaway it might be worth it. The drive would be intolerable for me, but maybe you could listen to talking books, learn a language, podcasts etc . Best wishes

Good to know. My DCs are leaving primary school and getting more independent so I am trying to adjust to that. DH is WFH so that helps too. It’s a great stepping stone into a new area - and it’s only a 1 year project so not a long term commitment.

It’s good to bear in mind how the traffic will be seasonally - could make a difference in the tourist season

Girl

I do an hour each way, twice a day for the school run

Never again

Up to you, but bear in mind that its an hour each way minimum

Edited following your update - it's only for a year, why not 🤷‍♀️

No I would not do that. Don't underestimate how tiring the driving would be.

I wouldn’t do it. But then I don’t like driving! My commute is 10 minute tops and that’s long enough.

I did similar for a few years similar length but typically took an hour. Eventually got utterly fed up of it. Far too many delays due to accidents or roadworks. So many times I literally had to wait in a queue for an hour or two and eventually turn around and go back home as the roads were just gridlocked.

I suppose it'd be OK if you live/work somewhere with a few road alternatives, but half of my journey involved a notorious A road (no motorway for second half of journey) which was a mix of speed limits, a mix of single/dual carriageways and had an awful accident record. Must have been a dozen fatal accidents in the 5/6 years I did the journey.

It wasn't a viable journey by public transport, so I always struggled with car servicing and breakdowns etc as I'd have to take a day off if the car wouldn't start in the morning, or it was in the garage for servicing/repairs and I couldn't get a courtesy car.

There was also the cost of fuel and the depreciation/wear and tear of the car to consider. It gets very expensive when you're doing it day in day out.

An hour journey home also takes it's toll if you end up running late due to an over-running meeting or a deadline to meet - staff living locally don't see it being an issue if they're late home by 30-60 minutes as they're still home for tea if they usually finish at 5, but when you add an hour's travel to a late finish, you can easily not end up getting home to mid evening - add it traffic delays due to roadworks and sometimes I wasn't getting home until 9pm!

It will add 2 hours minimum onto your working day… during rush hours / if there’s an accident on the motorway / winter rural roads you could probably double that. Plus more driving around once you get there. It wouldn’t be worth the loss of time / money on fuel etc or extra tiredness for me.

I wouldn’t do it. Once a week at a push, otherwise no. 40 miles where I live would take longer than it may elsewhere, however.

I would hate it, personally.
Two hours per day in the car seems a waste of time to me.

It’s horrible in the winter. And I think I’ve only had one day since November when there wasn’t roadworks on my route somewhere. On a good run 40 miles is doable, the problem is that rarely happens.

It sounds like it's a job you want to do, you have support at home, it's only for a year. If you enjoy or don't mind driving, I'd say go for it. I did a 120 mile round-trip commute for a few years and I didn't mind it. By the time I got to work I was switched on and had mentally set out my morning to do list. I often used the time on the way home to make (hands-free) calls, listen to something that would help me switch off which meant by the time I got home I'd pretty much forgotten about work.

I’ve been doing this 3 days a week for 20 years, wfh the other two. Full time work and children, had no help other than school and wraparound care. It’s no big deal, totally doable if you’re organised.

I wouldn’t but driving that far is off putting to me.

It used to take me 45 mins to go 4 miles. That was soul destroying. But 40 miles in an hour for just a year for a job you want and not even every day? Go for it.

I did it for many years when I was younger (and it helped with career progression) but I wouldn’t consider it now for quality of life reasons

I’ve been doing 60 miles each way, 3 times a week for the last 4 years and honestly it’s starting to get a bit wearing. But for a 1 year contract I’d defo do that commute if the money was right

I did this length of commute (and more sometimes) for a good few years. You get used to it. Now i work 15 minutes from home and do not miss the commute one bit! Remember you're a long way from home if you need to go to the dr/dentist and with the cost it's only worthwhile if the pay's enough to justify the inconvenience and cost of running your car that many miles.

It's a tricky one, what are the service stops like on route and is there a Gregg's?

Dh used to do that a couple of times a week. It depends on the route but his motorway journey could take up to two hours each way.

Is that 1 hour that you got from Google at rush hour/ peak time as that can easily add 20 odd minutes to a commute. Just something to be aware of. There is a feature in Google where you can set a departure time and date so you can look to see what it might be at peak times.