SACRAMENTO, Calif. — American commutes keep getting longer as rising housing costs push people to move further away from city centers, according to new research from Stanford University.
ABC10 spoke with experts who say it can come at a big cost, not just to your vehicle but to your paycheck, too.
“It means a lot of time behind the wheel, a lot of windshield time is what we call it in the industry,” said Patrick Ogeerally, an area manager for Firestone Complete Auto Care in Sacramento.
The average American commute to work is about a half-hour, but Stanford’s research found ‘super commutes’ of 75 miles or more have increased in recent years, and more people are traveling at least two hours each way.
“As a super commuter, you kind of neglect the passenger side of the vehicle and it’s always best practice to work your way around the back,” said Ogeerally. “Look at the tires, look at the lights, just make sure everything is working.”
Ogeerally says to make sure your vehicle is cool before you check its washer fluid, coolant and oil levels.
Staying on top of basic maintenance like checking wiper blades, battery and air pressure can help you avoid expensive repairs later.
Stanford researchers say the increase in long commutes is directly related to the pandemic shift to hybrid work.
“Interest rates were really low, and they realized they could easily afford to move out into the suburbs,” said UC Davis economics professor Derek Stimel.
Stimel says the opportunity costs of super commuting can impact your income.
“Anytime you devote resources to something, you’re giving up using those resources for something else. In this case with super commuters, we’re talking about time, so if you’re spending an hour and a half (to) two hours in the car driving somewhere, that’s time you could have used doing something else,” said Stimel.
Road debris, potholes and crashes can also cost super commuters time and money.
“The tires are going to wear, and they’re going to wear faster in most cases because you’re putting on more miles,” said Ogeerally.
Super commuters can also face higher premiums on car insurance. Super commuters drive more miles than the average commuter, so mileage driven is a factor in premiums.
Then, there’s the cost of gas. If you want to cut down on gas costs, experts say to consider driving a smaller vehicle – one that’s more fuel efficient – or go hybrid or electric.
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