Unless you work from home, a commute is an inevitable part of your life. However, you do get to decide how far you’re willing to travel to your job each day.
According to 2016 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the average one-way commute in the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ Metro Area is 27.9 minutes. If yours is notably more time-consuming, it’s time to consider searching for jobs in Allentown, PA located closer to home.
More than just a longer journey, a long commute actually has a negative impact on your life. An extra 20 minutes of travel time to work each day is equivalent to a 19% annual pay cut, when evaluating job satisfaction, according to a study completed in 2017 by researchers from the University of the West of England.
Four Benefits of a Shorter Commute
Add More Time Back Into Your Day
A long commute can seriously hinder your work-life balance, because you’re spending a large amount of your free time traveling to and from work. Instead of spending time with loved ones, relaxing, exercising or doing other things you enjoy, you’re stuck in a car or on public transit. This means you have to get up earlier in the morning and have less spare time in the evening, meaning your commute is essentially running your life.
Reduce Stress Levels
Traveling a short distance to work can be a nice way to decompress and enjoy a little time to yourself, but too much can have the opposite effect. Devoting an inordinate amount of time to your commute will stress you out, because there’s plenty of other things you’d rather be doing. Whether you’re behind the wheel or packed onto a bus or train, traveling a long distance to work can easily grate on your nerves, which will decrease your quality of life.
Save Money
If you drive to work, your long commute is costing you at the pump. The average price of a tank of gas in Pennsylvania ranges from $3.03 to $3.76, according to AAA, as of August 27, 2018.
Say your long commute is causing you to have to fill up your tank twice per week, instead of once. If you can find a job closer to home where you only need one tank per week, you can save up to $195.52 per year, just for driving less.
Give the Environment a Break
Your long commute to work isn’t doing the planet any favors. Cars and trucks are responsible for nearly one-fifth of all U.S. emissions, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. If everyone — including you —reduced their commute by even a few miles, imagine the positive impact this would have on the planet.
Ready to find a new job with a shorter commute? Team up with HTSS, Inc. We’re here to connect you with temporary, temp-to-hire and direct hire opportunities right here in the Lehigh Valley, so you can enjoy the work-life balance you deserve!