How far is the max you would drive for a 1 day/week in office job (rest WFH)

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I've been contacted by an employer who is interested in me for a role I know I would love much more than my current role.

The only issue is it would be a 2.5 hour drive each way. I would only have to be in the office one day a week, and with flexible start /finish time. The rest I could do from home. But I am not sure if it is too far (I can't relocate).

My current job is mainly all office based and can involve really long days (I did an 18 hour day on Monday).

I'm looking at others jobs too but do like the sound of this one (and it pays £80k, the others are all.aroind the £65-70k mark) but I am just unsure and would welcome thoughts from others whom have done long commutes.

My husband did this once a week for several years until we had children. It was tough but he has a lot of long commutes, if you're WFH the rest of the time I think it's fine

Exactly this. Currently I do 4-5 days in the office and long days. And it's still a 40 ish minute commute

I wouldn't do 2.5hrs to drive to the office for a short day what a waste!

I think going back and saying can you out the days together so you do 3 days in a row. Feels more worthwhile

Is your "commute" likely to be to a biggish town/city? Take the opportunity to visit some galleries or shows if you stay over.

DH is up in London 2-10 days/month at the moment. I'd just observe that hotels go through phases of crazy pricing (think £200 for a Premier Inn). Try to plan well ahead.

Do you know that you would enjoy working from most of the time? Do you have the right kit/space to be able to work over school holidays with children at home?

Yes it's in a nice part of the country (not London).

I am happy WFH and have a nice study. I don't tend to work from home much with children here as they are either with their dad/in holiday club/or I take leave. But if I do the odd day at home with them they are at an age when they are quite happy to entertain themselves.

It feels a bit too far but doable possibly if I can do two days together twice a month rather than one day a week. If not I will hang on for something more local!

I’d consider it, but I’d be more inclined if I could take a train as can make use of the time. And if they’d let you do two days together once a fortnight and stay over

I was about to say 2.5 hours. For 80k, that is worth it, especially if the other 4 days are wfh. Think f it this way: your commute averages out as 30 mins each way every day. Totally reasonable, especially for that salary.

I'd leave early before the rush hour. Gorgeous music on, sun rising. Lovely start to the day. Home again listening to a good audio book with a healthy take out of ready meal waiting - or prep some food the night before.

I would do it for the right amount of money and if it's written in my contract that the number of times going into the office will be no more than once a week.

I'd do a 2.5 hour commute once a week. Five hours commuting total a week is it nothing if you look at it that way.

What you also need to think about is what you'll be doing in the office. They may not want you to do all the days in one or two weeks as other people won't be and you wouldn't be able to do the in person collaboration or face to face meetings which kind of defeats the object of being in the office. Its not just bums in the office, many companies use those days to do in person things.

Also for all those saying they'd do it. How many actually do a drive that long to go to work? It isn't all gorgeus music and beautiful sunrises and audio books and sunsets. It's a long slog on a motorway in the dark/rain/fog, traffic jams in 30c weather aren't nice. Driving home tired in torrential rain isn't all fun even with the best playlist you can find. You're driving so really shouldn't be admiring the beautiful sunrise!

I've done Derby to Bristol for work for the day (driving). I could definitely do it once a week for the right job.

I would definitely do that to WFH the rest of the week, no problem at all. Two consecutive days per fortnight, would be ideal and I agree about having it written in that it will not increase.

If it's doable for you life-wise (sorry, not sure if you have kids!), then I'd definitely do it 👍🏻

@SideshowAuntSallyx i did 60-90 mins (traffic depending) each way five days a week for over a decade, so I know what it's like setting off in the dark and getting back in the dark, having to pull over when tired etc. It was the main reason I changed my job, but it wasn't THAT bad. It just became part of my routine.

I do have kids but they only with me half the week (which fits with the office days for this role) so it would work from that respect

To pick up on some of your comments, it sounds as if you don't like your current job and would welcome a change of scene. The job they tracked you down for appeals to you (it is interesting and yet it isn't a step up in roles that brings extra stress and responsibility that you don't need at the moment - you've been there and done that!).

Yes 2 1/2 hours is probably a pain (will that journey time shoot up in bad weather/summer holidays?) but well worth considering if you can compress days/hours into a week. So many (sensible) firms allow this sort of thing.

What do you have to lose?

If you are happy with your social life outside of work and/or are happy in your own company, go for it!

Have done this and it’s fine - just get in writing that it won’t change ie become more days a week in office. It’s tiring but it’s only one day and if you can get up early and start at say 8am then finish and be headed home by half 3/4pm ish then it’s ok. As others have said though, weigh the extra fuel/vehicle costs against the wage after tax.