Professional Tips for Surviving a Big City Work Commute

Working in a big city has many perks; you have access to numerous amenities and job opportunities, for example. The commute, on the other hand, is rarely enjoyable. Heavy traffic and safety concerns can make your trip to and from work lengthy and stress-inducing. While big cities do offer more opportunities for public transit, ridesharing, and cycling-friendly infrastructure, you’re going to want to learn how to reduce time and stay safe on your daily trek.

Check Traffic

When you’re living in a large city and traveling to work by car, traffic will be the difference between arriving at work on time and showing up late every day. You can check the traffic conditions for your route before you walk out the door. You can go online, watch a local news channel, or check the GPS maps on your phone or car navigation system. Understanding where traffic delays are can help you plan a quicker route and reduce the time spent on your commute.

Utilize a GPS

A GPS does far more than just allow you to check for traffic. It can help you plan a route that is the fastest and most efficient for your particular commute. If you need to make a stop along the way or avoid tolls, GPS maps can help you do that easily. You can use a GPS on your car’s system, your smartphone, or any online device. Using a phone holder in your vehicle can help you navigate hands-free, allowing you to focus on the road.

Listen to Entertainment

While no one enjoys a lengthy or traffic-filled commute, there are some days when bumper-to-bumper is unavoidable. You can make a commute less miserable when you entertain yourself along the way. Bring something you enjoy listening to, from music to audiobooks to podcasts. You can check off books on your to-read list or finally listen to your favorite band’s new album while you drive to and from work.

Ride a Bike

In some major cities, biking saves you time on your commute versus driving. If your commute involves a lot of heavy car traffic, you can skip it by opting for a scenic cycling route. As a bonus, cycling is much better for the environment and helps you maintain fitness. Some cities are friendlier to bikes than others, however.

Chicago

When it comes to cycling convenience in Chicago, it all depends on where you go. Some neighborhoods, such as Logan Square, can provide a pleasant and safe cycling experience. Lakefront Trail is one of the best biking trails in the city. If you’re relatively close to your work, biking in Chicago can be a viable option. Chicago isn’t one of the highest-ranking cities for cyclists; it has many street bikeways and trails, but accidents can be common, and public bike infrastructure could be improved. Knowing a good Chicago bike injury attorney may be a wise option.

Los Angeles

The City of Angels is very car-centric. While it boasts some decent public transit, cyclists are vulnerable to the city’s car-favored infrastructure and heavy automobile traffic. Efforts are being made to increase protected bike lanes and bike-friendly infrastructure, including bike-sharing programs. For commuters, safety must be a priority. If you’re crossing a lot of heavy traffic or busy lanes to get to work, you may want to consider an alternative transportation method.

New York

NYC is one of the best major US cities to ride a bike to work. Sidewalks and bike lanes are prominent throughout the city—over 1,500 miles of bike lanes exist here. There are also bike-sharing programs. New York traffic is still a safety issue. Sticking to bike lanes and continuously watching for motorists is key to avoiding injury during your commute.

Consider Public Transit

In some cities, public transit can be faster than driving your car. If biking isn’t an option or isn’t as safe, in cities like Los Angeles, you can see how long public transit would take to get you to work instead. If you live near bus or train stations, you’ll definitely want to know if you can take advantage of public transit commutes; you can skip traffic and get to your destination quickly in many circumstances. Long-term riding passes can make transit travel affordable and convenient.

Look into Carpooling

Commutes can be tiring and use a lot of gas. If you hitch a ride with a coworker, you can contribute to less automobile pollution, make social connections, and save money on gas or car maintenance. If you don’t have a car yourself, carpooling can be a great option to save money and time on your commute. If any coworkers live near you, carpooling could be a great option.

Learn Your Way Around Town

If you’re new to a city, learning the best side streets, shortcuts, and time-saving strategies during your commute can make things much easier. While GPS navigators can help you with this, knowing where to go in case of an emergency or heavy traffic appearing suddenly can cut a lot of stress from your travels.

Know How to Save Time

No matter what your method of travel is during your commute, there are some noteworthy ways to save time on a daily basis. Making coffee at home or waiting until you get to the office can eliminate the need for a lengthy drive-thru stop. Waiting near the exit of public transit (bus or subway) doors instead of at the back of the vehicle can allow you to depart quickly. Taking one particular bus route over the other might save you an hour on a daily commute. Learn the little ways you can cut time off of your commute, and you may find the trip a lot more tolerable.

Adopt a Hybrid Work Schedule

If you have a particularly lengthy or troublesome commute, consider adapting a hybrid work schedule. Not all industries or jobs can accommodate this, but if yours can, consider speaking with colleagues or management teams about working from home a few days a week. Cutting the days you have to travel to your job can significantly improve your mood and work-life balance.

Conclusion

Having a lengthy or stressful commute when working in a large city can make you question whether the job is really worth it. If you want to stick it out, you can make your commute enjoyable. Bring some listening entertainment, such as audiobooks, to keep yourself occupied. Use GPS tools and traffic checkers to make sure you’re using the most optimal route. Consider other transportation methods, like cycling or public transit, in areas where cars aren’t as ideal. Knowing how to save time on your commute can make a good job even better, allowing you to enjoy the perks of big city living without some of the traveling drawbacks.