We spend an average of 38 minutes getting to and from work, totaling 165 hours a year. You could have binge-watched almost every Simpsons episode in that amount of time! If you are in the driver’s seat, your commute is likely even more painful as you aren’t able to multitask and get a head start on answering work emails (or checking Facebook). Our main piece of advice is to find alternative commute methods, such as biking, carpooling or taking the bus. It isn’t a shock that one of the main causes of a long morning commute is traffic, so if we all drove a little less, the gridlock might not be so gruesome. We do understand driving to work is sometimes unavoidable, so whether you are braving the traffic or in for a long bus ride, we’ve rounded up our favorite apps to help make the most of your morning commute.
Fight boredom.
There are some days when you know exactly what music you want to listen to, which is when a streaming service like Spotify or Rdio will come in handy. But what about those groggy mornings when you would just love a personal DJ? Check out Songza or Apple’s new Beats radio. You could also switch things up and subscribe to some new podcasts. If you aren’t in the driver’s seat, catch up on the news with apps like Flipboard or AP Mobile.
Don’t lose your cool.
You don’t have to be a serious yogi to try meditation. If you aren’t behind the wheel, try downloading Calm or Headspace to find a little piece of mind before you rush into the day. If you are in the driver’s seat, we definitely do not recommend closing your eyes and clearing your mind (driving takes concentration!), but listening to calming music and trying some breathing exercises could help tone down the road rage. You could even tune into a classical musical station on your favorite streaming service or the radio.
Find the fastest way.
Before you set off on your typical route, check out Waze to make sure there aren’t any new obstacles such as accidents or construction. Waze will even alert you mid-drive if something new has popped up that should be avoided. Because much of the information is crowd-sourced in real-time, route suggestions are usually pretty accurate.
Remember, you should download and open all of these apps before you start your car, since we are very against distracted driving. And if you do find yourself seeking alternative ways of getting to work and are only using your car on the weekends, it sounds like you are the perfect candidate for Metromile’s pay-per-mile car insurance offering. Get a free quote and see how much you could save!