(Off topic kind-of) How Far/Long is your Diesel Commute

[Carrameow]

The reason I am asking is I am about to start a job with a 3.2 hour round trip commute--of course, my Diesels will be taking me back and forth, so getting there efficiently and reliably wont be the problem. The problem is, I am a natural night owl, and I am apprehensive as %^()_)! I get drowsy at the wheel and in winter I leave the windows down.
I need some reaffirmation I am not crazy--is anyone else commuting longer? I'll be doing the NJ Turnpike. Anyone else got a Commute story?

[engatwork]

36 miles for me. I would be hard pressed to live with a 3.2 hour commute.

[H-townbenzoboy]

Here are some commutes, not as long as yours though. When the car was my mom's daily driver, she'd drive me to school, which was 10 miles away from home (grades 3-8). So, she would put at LEAST 40 miles on the 300SD a day. So, at the mininmum, on a typical school week (5 days), she would put about 200 miles on it a week. When I started driving it, I would put no more than 20 miles a week on it, mostly neighborhood hops. But then, my dad has started driving the car daily now, so, I think he puts about 8 at the least, and about maybe, 100 at the most miles on it a day, with some exceptions. One day, he put about 200 miles on it. About two weeks ago, in a three day period, he put about 400 miles on it (Galveston TX, Houston TX, IAH airport, River Oaks area, Alief, TX). It got a pretty good workout back then.
-Joe

[Dusty-NZ]

25 miles ,,

3.2 hrs commute ?? I'd be moving house . Or job .

Just as well we are all different , eh.

[Brian Carlton]

It sounds like you are going to try and run nearly the entire NJTP from up near NYC down to the DelMem Bridge.

If this is true, then I have to suggest that you might be crazy. I run this route every couple of months and, going southbound, it has gotten impossible from the merge on south. I have basically given up on it and get off at exit 8, take route 130 down to I-195, take 195 to 295, and take 295 all the way down to the bridge. Even with the 295 construction, it has been better that the NJTP.
South of the bridge into Philly, 295 is a jetway!

I currently have a 5 hour round trip commute up to CT and back. But, I only do it once per week.

I simply cannot imagine doing that round trip every day.

[Diesel4me]

My commute one way is about 18 miles, and i work second shift so there's no rush-hour traffic. I was contemplating a move that would have me driving 2 hours each way, but I decided I liked doing other things (besides driving) better.

[Mr. FancyPants]

Aside from what sounds like a grueling daily trip, I would be more concerned about falling off to sleep, as you consider yourself prone to, and base my thoughts around that more than anything else!

It only needs to happen once, and you'll be lucky if you live to talk about it! Seriously............

[jcd]

About 40 miles on Route 80 in NJ, to 46 to 3. That assumes I leave before 6AM and get home at 7PM.

The TPK is doable, but you'll end up with the same hours. You have to hate traffic more than you like sleeping.

This commute about wears me out by Friday. I couldn't do what you suggest for more than a month or so.

Good luck, and if you want a review of rest stops, I'll give it a try.

JCD

[jcyuhn]

About 7-8 miles each way. All suburban stop-and-go. I ride each of my motorcycle (55MPG) and bicycle (25MPBurrito) as often as I drive the diesel. I fill up the tank once a month whether I need to or not...

- JimY

[InDiesel]

72 miles round trip for me. Any where from 1.25 to 2.5 hours round trip depending on traffic in the Atlanta area (GA 400 and I-285).

[vwbuge]

When I first bought my SD I was living in the Poconos Mtns of PA and commuting to just outside of Philly. It was all highway and it took me about 1 hour and 15 minutes one way. I bought the car with 238,000 on it and 9 months later it had 265,000. I didn't mind the drive a bit. If you are making good money and love your current home and don't mind driving then it is all good.

[BoostnBenz]

I drive about 55 miles round trip which can be anywhere from a little over an hour to three hours for the round trip. I'm quite sick of averaging ~20mph on my way home with traffic. Normally I avoid it on the way there though (average around 35mph there).

[CSchmidt]

Folks,

It seems I've always had a long commute. The longest regular one was a 9 month assignment 90 miles away - 180 miles a day. The trip was 60 miles of highway and then 30 miles of good rural road. I had a regular stop at the highway exit that would sell a cup of coffee for $.25 if you had your own mug.

As a consultant on the road, I would often rack up 40K or more "Frequent Driver Miles" a year. For the past 10+ years I've commuted about 40 miles each way to work on average.

After a while you can learn your limits and the signs of when it is time to stop and walk around the car for a few minutes to clear your head. Learn and listen to those signs!

I am very lucky to now have an assignment about 10 miles from home. The diesel hardly gets warmed up 8^). Hope it lasts a while.

Chuck

[kamil]

exactly 80 mile round trip.... takes me 45 minutes each way (all highway, no city)

[Mr. FancyPants]

Originally posted by kamil
exactly 80 mile round trip.... takes me 45 minutes each way (all highway, no city)

So you drive about 60 mph or so?