Commuting is something that every working American must experience. But, unfortunately, it’s a necessary activity that many Americans despise. The commute is not fun, and it’s never going to be. Sometimes it can be a little more pleasant, but that only happens occasionally.
According to a Texas A&M Transportation Institute study, the average American commuter spends 42 hours a year stuck in traffic. That’s the equivalent of an entire week of work! And it’s not just our time being wasted; sitting in traffic is also taking a toll on our wallets.
Commute Time
Time isn’t the only thing people lose when they’re stuck in traffic. According to a study by INRIX, a global transportation analytics company, the cost of congestion in the United States rose to $305 billion in 2019, reaching an average of almost $ 1400 per driver. And that number is only expected to rise; by 2030, the congestion cost is expected to double to $717 billion.
The Cost of Fuel
Of course, part of the reason why congestion is costing people so much money is that they are wasting fuel sitting in traffic. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average driver wastes 18 gallons of fuel daily sitting in traffic. Today’s prices work out to about $130 per driver per year. But as fuel prices continue to rise, so will the cost of this wasted fuel.
Car Insurance
In addition to the cost of gas, there’s also the cost of car insurance. The average annual premium in the United States is $1,674. And if you have an accident or ticket on your record, that number can increase significantly. For example, let’s say you get into an accident that results in $5,000 worth of damage to your car. As a result, your insurance company may raise your rates by as much as 25%!
Missed opportunities
It’s not just the time, and money people lose when they’re stuck in traffic. They are also missing out on opportunities. When people are stuck in traffic, they can’t be productive. They’re usually stuck there doing nothing. As a result, they will likely miss valuable time that they could use to improve their lives.
Commute has severe effects on people’s lives. It can lead them to lose money and even opportunities in their lives. Thankfully, there are ways you can reduce your time and money spent on commute. Here are five ways you can do that.
Auxiliary Fuel Tanks
Your fuel tank is an essential part of your car’s commute. For this reason, you should consider investing in auxiliary fuel tanks for your vehicle. These are small tanks that can be installed under your car and used to store extra fuel for longer trips. This will reduce the amount of gas you waste sitting in traffic and save you from making pit stops during long commutes. However, before buying a fuel tank, you need to find one appropriate for your vehicle. For example, if you have a pickup with a diesel engine, you need to buy an auxiliary diesel fuel tank. This should prevent your car from breaking down during long commutes. It’s also the right way to save money on fuel.
Ridesharing
Another way to reduce the time and money spent on the commute is by using a ridesharing service. Ridesharing services such as Uber or Lyft make it easy for people to share their commute with others heading in the same direction. This will not only save you time and money, but it will also help you make more productive use of your time. For example, you can spend the commute catching up on work emails or making phone calls.
Carpooling
Consider carpooling with co-workers or family members if you don’t want to use a ridesharing service. This is another excellent way to reduce the cost of commuting and the amount of time spent sitting in traffic. Plus, if you carpool regularly, you’ll likely be able to find one car that works for all your commutes and save even more money!
Use Smart Technology
Finally, you can use innovative technology to improve your commute. For example, if you have a smartphone with navigation software installed, you can find the best route to your destination quickly. And if you want to be extra productive during your commute, consider installing a few productivity apps too!
There are many ways that people can reduce their time and money spent on commuting. By following the tips above, people can save time and money and improve their overall quality of life. So why not give these tips a try? You may be surprised by how much they can improve your life!
