10 Ways To Reduce the Cost of Your Commute

by Gary Foreman

How can you reduce the cost of your commute or make the time spent commuting more profitable? After all, as the saying goes, time is money. These tips can help you make the most of both your commuting dollars and your commuting time.

The onset of COVID caused many of us to work remotely. That required many adjustments. One benefit we found was that we spent less on traveling back and forth to work. But now that things are returning to normal, we’re being called back to the workplace.

How much of your life do you spend commuting? If you’re an average driver, you’ll spend 27.6 minutes commuting — each way.

With the cost of gas constantly fluctuating and your time becoming more valuable each day, how can you reduce the cost of commuting or at least make the time spent more profitable?

1. Change your business hours.

It’s called “rush hour” for a reason. Everyone is rushing to get to work or to get home. Many jobs will allow you to shift your working hours, so you’re not commuting during peak travel times. Start your day an hour earlier or later and you could reduce the time you spend commuting by half.

2. Reduce the number of working days.

For many jobs, the eight-hour day and five-day week are becoming obsolete. Check with your employer to see if you could work four ten-hour days each week. You’ll reduce your cost and time spent by 20%.

3. Work from home.

The days when you could leave the office behind at the end of the work day is over. If you’re an information worker, you’re connected via cell phone, email, text, and internet. Your employer may even expect you to check in electronically on the weekend. During the pandemic we learned new tools (zoom meeting, etc) that allowed us to work from home. If/when your office reopens see if you can work from home at least part of the time.

4. Carpool.

Most people commute alone. A carpool can cut your costs dramatically. Not only will you save, but you’ll also get to know someone on a personal level and might even make a lifelong friend.

Sign Up for Savings

Subscribe to get money-saving content by email that can help you stretch your dollars further.

Twice each week, you'll receive articles and tips that can help you free up and keep more of your hard-earned money, even on the tightest of budgets.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

5. Use mass transit.

You won’t save time. In fact, it’ll probably lengthen your commute, but you will save money. And you can pay full attention to anything that you’d like to read or listen to while your local transit authority does the driving.

6. Bike to work.

For many, it’s not practical, but if you’re lucky enough to be able to bike to work, you’ll save dollars and get a workout at the same time. Many bikers say that peddling past cars stuck in rush hour traffic makes the ride so much more pleasant!

7. Learn something while you drive.

There are plenty of courses available on audio. Whether you want to learn a new language or brush up on home repair techniques, there’s a CD or podcast to help you do that. Just remember that you can’t take notes while driving!

8. Listen to your favorite podcasts.

There are innumerable podcasts available for download. Search for “podcast directories” to see which ones would pique your interest. Download an episode or two. You won’t like all of them, but some will become regular partners on your commute.

9. Exercise your mind.

Just like your muscles, your brain grows stronger when it’s worked. So instead of daydreaming while you sit in traffic, work some brain teasers. Use the time to challenge your mind. Memorize the Declaration of Independence or a passage from a favorite book. Make sure your brain is stronger when you get out of the car than when you got in.

10. Listen to good music.

Scientists have begun to discover that certain music can help promote heath and well-being. Use your commute time to listen to some of the world’s best music. While you can’t close your eyes (you are driving after all), you can soothe your soul.

Reviewed July 2023

About the Author

Gary Foreman is the former owner and editor of The Dollar Stretcher. He's the author of How to Conquer Debt No Matter How Much You Have and has been featured in MSN Money, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business, The Nightly Business Report, US News Money, Credit.com and CreditCards.com.

Wouldn't you like to be a Stretcher too?

Subscribe to get our money-saving content twice per week by email and start living better for less.