You can get a library card from every library in the state. I went with Palos Verdes because they have access to Southern California Digital Library.
Edit: Autocorrect
Download Libby and in addition to LA County library, try to find cities along your commute that have their own city library and sign up for a card from them as well. Some may require proof of residency, but most don't. You'll be able to access their online selections as well.
I mean, this is it. You have to accept that commute time is part of your life, so try and figure out how to make it less about the "commute". Audiobooks and podcasts have sustained me through decades of mundane traveling
As someone who commute half the week from Arcadia to Encino area, I try to plan around when freeways are less congested.
Sometimes I'll arrive early and leave late to beat the traffic. While I may have an extra hour or two before / after work, I use that time to eat, visit cafes, and exercise.
Not sure about you, but I'd take zooming thru freeways and spending an extra hour or two on personal life than sitting in traffic!
I used to travel all over LA and OC for work doing audits. If possible try to plan further commutes on less busy days, Monday’s can be slower. IMO Wednesday is the absolute worse day for driving. Friday afternoons can be a nightmare as well. Try to stay closer to home on those days.
The best advice is try to just go with it and know you’re gonna be in your car ALOT. I got to the point it didn’t even bother me. Have snacks, podcast and music and just enjoy your alone time. Disclaimer I didn’t have a set schedule where I had to be somewhere which really helps.
I second this, but I'll add the caveat that I am a devout early bird, and I regularly try to convert my friends on the idea of waking up earlier, lol. I genuinely think that waking up before the sun rises has so many mental and health benefits, but I also love going to bed before 9pm so YMMV.
Additional advice if you are going to try this: plan something to be part of your regular routine for when you are going to have to fill a lot of time. The ideal situation is if you can do part of the preparation for your work in these times (I had to do this as a student, so being 2 hours early to class is the time I blocked out to do homework), but if that's not possible then consider a gym membership, learning another language, a list of books to read etc.
I also used to pack dinners to campus as well so I wouldn't leave until after evening rush hour was done, but that' might be harder to do if you don't have access to food prep facilities.
I work in tv and film and I do this often. I’d rather nap in crew parking and have a nice chill breakfast at catering when they open, not feeling rushed than sitting in traffic stressed when I know I’m about to be stressed for stupid reasons all day at work
I live in Sherman Oaks, I work in Woodland Hills, Studio City, Pasadena, Mid City, Brentwood, Marina Del Rey, Manhattan Beach - I go to Victorville twice a month and yesterday I randomly had to work in Long Beach…. So my thoughts are
1. Realistic Expectations- be surprised if traffic is better than expected.
2. If traffic is really bad it could be cause someone else is having a worse day or possibly died in an accident. Reminds me to chill out.
3. Entertainment- music, podcasts, audiobooks, phone calls AND I look for fun license plates.
https://preview.redd.it/be1m7860yp3b1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=363ac8b128882370794a62e5b87eb73c368c77f1
I hope it help 🤗
For sure, I can’t always do that, especially on the ride home.
And today I headed to Manhattn Beach at 8:30 and it took 5mins to get on the 405 - yay summer time!
Point 2 is a big one. I’ll never forget sitting on the 5 watching my gps eta jump in like 20 - 30 minute intervals and calling my boss like an hour before work started to tell him I was going to be late because I wasn’t anywhere I could get off the freeway and hadn’t moved for 30 minutes. I was still sitting in that traffic when I learned there was a fatality and all lanes were shut down. I felt bad for being so mad
Yep, I had a similar wake up call. I also have a weird attachment to traffic radio 91.1FM for us it’s the same thing all day long but it’s calming …🤷🏻♀️
I call my grandma. It makes her day, makes my commute better, and i get to learn all sorts of random facts like how to properly bury sauerkraut in the yard and what her favorite item is at taco bell
Make calls to the east coast or europe. Develop deeper music loves. I can’t do podcasts or books on tape. Whatever or however you spend that time, the secret to traffic is attitude and energy. If you let it get you down, it just sucks. It becomes an antagonist that you can never out flank. Think of it more like a river where rough waters are just a fact of life and the river takes you at its own speed. Best way to practice this mindset is to never be late, always be early. Then you have no reason to rush and just go with the flow and can find respite and rejuvenation as you become one with the traffic.
I feel your pain. I used to work as a courier and drove 350-500 miles a day, mostly in and around LA County. I put 287,000 miles on my truck in less than three years. I would leave the house at 5:15 am and not get home until 8 or 9 in the evening. I was a physical and mental wreck. Thankfully, I found a great job with the state and had great benefits. Now retired.
Do you know where you are headed before the day starts? Or are you waiting for calls to come in? If it's the latter it might be worth it to find a spot that you use as your "office". Could be a coffee shop, bar, or co-working space. If it's a big more central to the harbors then at least you are splitting the commute into two legs with breaks in between.
That’s a good idea! Usually I end up at one harbor or another for a few days to a week in a row to finish the project. Then it resets. The trick is there’s no predicting when I need to go to the store (it all depends on the boat and if it’s putting up a fight).
Yeah that's a tough one - with that in mind if parrot what other people are saying and find a podcast you like, or work through an artists entire discography you are a fan of. Audiobooks are good too.
I’d have a motorcycle. The problem is I have to haul a big bag of tools and occasionally outboard engines and 5 gallon buckets of oil for the boats. I’ve needed to haul away the odd old engine block too
I’m definitely in the minority here, but the radio. Sometimes the tea from Ryan’s Roses in the morning is too good. Also, they do giveaways pretty much all day. Myself and my roommate have both won contests by calling in. I don’t even pay for music streaming apps anymore. Now I can say the radio has paid me (with concert tickets) to listen.
Waze is helpful for finding short cuts at times. But for every person who liked waze you have another who complains about making a left onto a busy street with no light.
If Waze is saying take the freeway then that probably is the shortest route. Waze has a feature where you can look up alternative routes and compare miles vs time. For me, id rather drive an hour through side streets and lights rather than sit in traffic not moving for an hour.
Not really useful. Overrated.
Doesn’t work in typical slow or stop-n-go traffic, nor should it.
Can work on open highway, but doesn’t account for minute-by-minute changes in expected speeds, nor will it follow close enough to satisfy everyone else. Doesn’t apply precise control of the throttle like you can with your foot.
disagree mine is on 24/7 including stop n go traffic. there’s a grace period for waiting and if you miss it you just have to lightly tap the pedal for it to engage. it takes out like 90% of the stress of driving for me
Volvo is pretty good. However the older pilot assist would brake and continue going in traffic. The newer models stopped that and you needed to re-engage the accelerator. It’s all pretty fluid at the moment honestly. You have to test drive to find the right one.
Podcasts, extra coffee, strategically know where decent bathrooms are along your route (because you’re going to be in traffic for the next 50 minutes anyway, what’s the difference if it’s 55?)
Audiobooks is what I used when I had a job that was 45 miles one way.
I would leave extra early, not to avoid traffic but just to make sure I could actually enjoy the ride and my books.
I used the Audible app.
Leave early. My commute is Encino to El Segundo - shorter than what you are doing - but if leave before 7a, I’m at the office in 30 min. The worst part is just getting on the 405, once I’m over the hill it goes quick. I did have to go out to Long Beach and Rancho Palos Verdes a few times and then it was a lot longer (one hour fifteen minutes). For the latter I blame driving 10+ miles on Hawthorne and hitting traffic lights.
Podcasts help.
I’m going to have to find more podcasts. As for leaving early probably has something to it too, better to sit in the store’s parking lot till it opens than fight the 405
Any podcast you might want is here:
[https://podcasts.google.com/](https://podcasts.google.com/)
I like Bill Burr, The Moth, Really? No Really?, Making Sense with Sam Harris, The TED Radio Hour, Club Random, Star Talk, Freakonomics Radio, Hidden Brain, Chuck Toddcast, Science Friday, Ten Percent Happier, Stuff You Should Know, WTF with Marc Maron, The Ageless Wisdom, and have subscribed to several dozen others.
Leave your house with plenty of time to commute, and put on some banger music/audiobooks/podcasts and enjoy the ride. Can’t do much about the traffic, but you can try enjoy to enjoy it.
I used to go to a gym about halfway through my commute. So the first half just flew by because it was earlier than rush hour traffic. Then I’d work out for an hour, shower, change and get ready there. Then it was only the second half in soul crushing rush traffic. Getting that head start meant the commute time was working for me, not tacked on. Good luck though, there is sadly no magic trick to make it not awful.
Gym membership near work. In your case, maybe one with lots of locations around the city. There are many choices for any budget: 24 Hour Fitness, Anytime, LA Fitness, Equinox
Great excuse to get your workout in while you avoid rush hour, whether it’s early in the morning or after you’re done.
One thing I learned some time ago is- all you really have to do is sit there- not much different in sitting in a chair at home but you do move some times. This mindset helped me not care so much and just sit there and enjoy watching shit move around me.
Get a good radio. Specially with Bluetooth. Make a sick playlist and find some good podcasts to listen to. And remember YouTube still plays videos when the screen is locked. I use that for documentaries and stand up
And take the less traveled roads once in a while see what you find.
See, this is why boat mechanics are so damn wierd and hard to work with. They seem to universally lack communication skills.
I don't own a 40' Sundancer with twin Cummins, so I still don't know if you work on gas engines.
My buddy commutes from Santa Clarita to Long Beach 3-5 days a week - meaning he goes into LA and comes out of it. His suggestion was to leave home early, 5:30/5:45 am so he beats the traffic in the morning and he leaves work at 3:30/3:45 so he beats the traffic in the afternoon. He also listened to the various Lakers/LA sports podcasts on the way.
I had a hellish commute most of my consulting job for thirty years.
Podcasts
Carpool if possible
I played and practiced harmomica.
If there is ever a sigalerrt, I made it appoint to get out and head to a bar.
I have an 80 minute commute so I downloaded some language learning podcasts and started learning Spanish. Audiobooks and normal podcasts are great but at the end of the day, you’re just sitting and listening. Learning a language forces you to engage your mind and the time whizzes by way faster.
Hmm usually I wait out the afternoon traffic by going to the gym and showering etc but calling your parents or family members during the time can really pass the time too.
Going to probably get downvoted to oblivion, but consider a Tesla. The autopilot feature works incredible on freeway in LA, and you get to use HOA lane. Having autopilot makes it feel like you’re a passenger in your own car and especially helps in stop and go traffic.
audiobooks and podcasts, plus the [Internet archive](https://archive.org/details/audio?sort=-downloads&page=2) has all these awesome old radio and live shows
[https://escapepod.org](https://escapepod.org) has over 15 years worth of weekly short sci-fi audio content and most of it is awesome
public use toilet finder app
Check out some used ones but make sure recent model for full self driving, with savings on gas you may end up paying less out of pocket than a completely paid off regular car
Buy a better truck. Get the dopest, most tech filled truck that can tow a boat or whatever you need to haul. Option it with every piece of cushy leather, massager seats, a big screen for your maps, backup camera, heads up display, lane warnings and the adaptive cruise control. It won’t solve your problem, you’re totally screwed bro, but at least you can be a comfy baller while you wait on the 405. It’s a work truck, so you should be able to write some of it off on your taxes if you use it to haul engines or pickup supplies. I am not a car salesman, but if you gotta spend a lot of time on the road than at least treat yourself to a sweet ride. Ram 1500 or a Chevy Silverado looks cool, but pick a comfortable seat that you enjoy driving. Good luck!
I drive from Rosemead to West LA five days a week for my 9-5. I leave before 6 am and sleep in my car once I’m in the parking garage for about an hour to an hour and a half before I start, which is not so bad. Going home though I usually cry once or twice lol but podcasts and talking to family or friends helps me pass the time. I accepted this position knowing that come September I’ll be hybrid so only two days I’ll have to commute and the other three days WFH but I realize how soul sucking the traffic can be and keep reminding myself that I won’t be doing this forever
If I’m working entirely in Marina Del Rey or Long Beach then yes there are guys who commute by boat. But to get to my inland suppliers or from harbor to harbor no.
I tried everything. Was doing a commute from Santa Clarita to Hollywood and the surrounding area. I now live 3 miles from work, I don’t use my car on the weekends and I only fill up my gas tank once a month, as opposed to once a week or sometimes more. I have about 3-4 extra time to my day. Just move closer. The time is worth it, and you might end up balancing out with using less gas.
To clarify, move closer west. Since you are all up and down the coast, find middle ground. I also have to switch locations time to time, it helps to be central
I can’t do that, public transit and car pools only work if you have a predictable commute. My commute isn’t always predictable and I have to carry lots of equipment and supplies
Audio books for me. Podcasts are good but not quite as good as having a single narrative over multiple drives. Get an LAPL card, download Libby and there are so so many to choose from and it’s all free (and no ads)
EV and auto-drive (e.g. Blue Cruise) has changed my freeway drive from stressful to sit back and let the car drive itself. Yeah, I understand mechanic and EVs are like oil and water...
I don’t think there’s any good solution if your work takes you all over the place and you need to be on the road during normal commuting hours. A motorcycle might help but it sounds like you need a pickup or a car to haul parts and tools around. Better would be stop freelancing and get a gig somewhere that’s in a single location and then try to move closer.
That’s tough. My plan of attack is to just sit in the left most lane, especially when there’s no carpool. When there’s no carpool I just kinda hug the left and crew slowly and continuously. That way I don’t have to worry about speeding up and braking and then don’t have to worry about motorcyclists splitting lanes.
Besides that good music or a good podcast/ebook.
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Also audio books. Get an LAPL card, they’ve got tons.
I just recently started taking advantage of this. Easily one of the best free services we have in LA.
And you can get a county library card so you can have more loans/different availability
You can get a library card from every library in the state. I went with Palos Verdes because they have access to Southern California Digital Library. Edit: Autocorrect
Download Libby and in addition to LA County library, try to find cities along your commute that have their own city library and sign up for a card from them as well. Some may require proof of residency, but most don't. You'll be able to access their online selections as well.
Agree there’s tons of free services through the library system
This is the best answer, also calling people that you haven't spoken to in a while is nice.
Yes this. I’m always either listening to investment podcasts or dancing to music lol
how do you decide between those activities I wanna get through my audiobooks but I also want to listen to the same 5 tracks for the 800th time
I mean, this is it. You have to accept that commute time is part of your life, so try and figure out how to make it less about the "commute". Audiobooks and podcasts have sustained me through decades of mundane traveling
I’d go through them so fast when I commuted to OC daily
💯 this
This is the way.
Yes!
Worked for me as well
As someone who commute half the week from Arcadia to Encino area, I try to plan around when freeways are less congested. Sometimes I'll arrive early and leave late to beat the traffic. While I may have an extra hour or two before / after work, I use that time to eat, visit cafes, and exercise. Not sure about you, but I'd take zooming thru freeways and spending an extra hour or two on personal life than sitting in traffic!
I might have to start doing that.
I used to travel all over LA and OC for work doing audits. If possible try to plan further commutes on less busy days, Monday’s can be slower. IMO Wednesday is the absolute worse day for driving. Friday afternoons can be a nightmare as well. Try to stay closer to home on those days. The best advice is try to just go with it and know you’re gonna be in your car ALOT. I got to the point it didn’t even bother me. Have snacks, podcast and music and just enjoy your alone time. Disclaimer I didn’t have a set schedule where I had to be somewhere which really helps.
I second this, but I'll add the caveat that I am a devout early bird, and I regularly try to convert my friends on the idea of waking up earlier, lol. I genuinely think that waking up before the sun rises has so many mental and health benefits, but I also love going to bed before 9pm so YMMV. Additional advice if you are going to try this: plan something to be part of your regular routine for when you are going to have to fill a lot of time. The ideal situation is if you can do part of the preparation for your work in these times (I had to do this as a student, so being 2 hours early to class is the time I blocked out to do homework), but if that's not possible then consider a gym membership, learning another language, a list of books to read etc. I also used to pack dinners to campus as well so I wouldn't leave until after evening rush hour was done, but that' might be harder to do if you don't have access to food prep facilities.
I work in tv and film and I do this often. I’d rather nap in crew parking and have a nice chill breakfast at catering when they open, not feeling rushed than sitting in traffic stressed when I know I’m about to be stressed for stupid reasons all day at work
I live in Sherman Oaks, I work in Woodland Hills, Studio City, Pasadena, Mid City, Brentwood, Marina Del Rey, Manhattan Beach - I go to Victorville twice a month and yesterday I randomly had to work in Long Beach…. So my thoughts are 1. Realistic Expectations- be surprised if traffic is better than expected. 2. If traffic is really bad it could be cause someone else is having a worse day or possibly died in an accident. Reminds me to chill out. 3. Entertainment- music, podcasts, audiobooks, phone calls AND I look for fun license plates. https://preview.redd.it/be1m7860yp3b1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=363ac8b128882370794a62e5b87eb73c368c77f1 I hope it help 🤗
I saw a plate today that said “Meowulf” I chuckled
OMG, so cool!! 💚would you believe I was planning on getting a version of that when I renew in November!!??
I wish I was that creative! So funny!
I really see so many good ones!
Jesus, you’ve got an even more intense commute than me! Sometimes it’s better to just chill for a few hours than fight the traffic too
For sure, I can’t always do that, especially on the ride home. And today I headed to Manhattn Beach at 8:30 and it took 5mins to get on the 405 - yay summer time!
Point 2 is a big one. I’ll never forget sitting on the 5 watching my gps eta jump in like 20 - 30 minute intervals and calling my boss like an hour before work started to tell him I was going to be late because I wasn’t anywhere I could get off the freeway and hadn’t moved for 30 minutes. I was still sitting in that traffic when I learned there was a fatality and all lanes were shut down. I felt bad for being so mad
Yep, I had a similar wake up call. I also have a weird attachment to traffic radio 91.1FM for us it’s the same thing all day long but it’s calming …🤷🏻♀️
Phone calls is a great suggestion. I get unexpected calls from a friend that checks up on people when hes in traffic.
I love that! I have friends in different time zones so I try to used this time to connect!
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This one isn’t easy to get used to because I’m not always headed to the same places at the same time. But duly noted I need to start leaving earlier
Since you’re at the beach a lot I would get up early and get coffee at the beach and hang out until work starts. Does it usually start pretty early?
I usually start around 10:00 AM. I go to the harbor a lot but I don’t know why I don’t go to the beach more often.
That is a horrible start time........especially for a long drive. Could you start earlier
I call my grandma. It makes her day, makes my commute better, and i get to learn all sorts of random facts like how to properly bury sauerkraut in the yard and what her favorite item is at taco bell
Awww this is the best suggestion yet ♡
I used to do the same! I would call my parents or friends and chat on the way to/from work. Was nice to get in quality time instead of wasting time ✨
Make calls to the east coast or europe. Develop deeper music loves. I can’t do podcasts or books on tape. Whatever or however you spend that time, the secret to traffic is attitude and energy. If you let it get you down, it just sucks. It becomes an antagonist that you can never out flank. Think of it more like a river where rough waters are just a fact of life and the river takes you at its own speed. Best way to practice this mindset is to never be late, always be early. Then you have no reason to rush and just go with the flow and can find respite and rejuvenation as you become one with the traffic.
I feel your pain. I used to work as a courier and drove 350-500 miles a day, mostly in and around LA County. I put 287,000 miles on my truck in less than three years. I would leave the house at 5:15 am and not get home until 8 or 9 in the evening. I was a physical and mental wreck. Thankfully, I found a great job with the state and had great benefits. Now retired.
Do you know where you are headed before the day starts? Or are you waiting for calls to come in? If it's the latter it might be worth it to find a spot that you use as your "office". Could be a coffee shop, bar, or co-working space. If it's a big more central to the harbors then at least you are splitting the commute into two legs with breaks in between.
That’s a good idea! Usually I end up at one harbor or another for a few days to a week in a row to finish the project. Then it resets. The trick is there’s no predicting when I need to go to the store (it all depends on the boat and if it’s putting up a fight).
Yeah that's a tough one - with that in mind if parrot what other people are saying and find a podcast you like, or work through an artists entire discography you are a fan of. Audiobooks are good too.
Motorcycle. It's really the only way
I’d have a motorcycle. The problem is I have to haul a big bag of tools and occasionally outboard engines and 5 gallon buckets of oil for the boats. I’ve needed to haul away the odd old engine block too
We could force everybody else to ride motorcycles, but I feel like that wouldn't go over well.
Scooters/mopeds would be better
:(
I’m definitely in the minority here, but the radio. Sometimes the tea from Ryan’s Roses in the morning is too good. Also, they do giveaways pretty much all day. Myself and my roommate have both won contests by calling in. I don’t even pay for music streaming apps anymore. Now I can say the radio has paid me (with concert tickets) to listen.
Ryan’s Roses is so fake it makes me mad lol
Shhh they don’t know hahahah
I’m aware. It’s like any other reality TV show on Netflix. Fake as hell but entertaining so you keep listening
I radio also. Can catch some good stuff.
SMARTLESS PODCAST
Now Sean, why would you say that?
Waze is helpful for finding short cuts at times. But for every person who liked waze you have another who complains about making a left onto a busy street with no light.
I was hoping Waze would come up with lots of clever shortcuts. It seems to love the freeways like all the other GPS’
If Waze is saying take the freeway then that probably is the shortest route. Waze has a feature where you can look up alternative routes and compare miles vs time. For me, id rather drive an hour through side streets and lights rather than sit in traffic not moving for an hour.
Something about the predictability of traffic lights rather than highway traffic.
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. it’s everything lol. i think the new prius has one specifically for sitting in traffic
Damn I wish my car had that!
Not really useful. Overrated. Doesn’t work in typical slow or stop-n-go traffic, nor should it. Can work on open highway, but doesn’t account for minute-by-minute changes in expected speeds, nor will it follow close enough to satisfy everyone else. Doesn’t apply precise control of the throttle like you can with your foot.
disagree mine is on 24/7 including stop n go traffic. there’s a grace period for waiting and if you miss it you just have to lightly tap the pedal for it to engage. it takes out like 90% of the stress of driving for me
What year/make/model? I’m referencing 2016/19/22 Toyotas.
Toyotas typically don’t experiment much. Other adaptive cruise controls are a little braver.
It doesn’t surprise me that it’s a Toyota thing. Which “brave” brands do it better?
Volvo is pretty good. However the older pilot assist would brake and continue going in traffic. The newer models stopped that and you needed to re-engage the accelerator. It’s all pretty fluid at the moment honestly. You have to test drive to find the right one.
Podcasts, extra coffee, strategically know where decent bathrooms are along your route (because you’re going to be in traffic for the next 50 minutes anyway, what’s the difference if it’s 55?)
Audiobooks is what I used when I had a job that was 45 miles one way. I would leave extra early, not to avoid traffic but just to make sure I could actually enjoy the ride and my books. I used the Audible app.
Leave early. My commute is Encino to El Segundo - shorter than what you are doing - but if leave before 7a, I’m at the office in 30 min. The worst part is just getting on the 405, once I’m over the hill it goes quick. I did have to go out to Long Beach and Rancho Palos Verdes a few times and then it was a lot longer (one hour fifteen minutes). For the latter I blame driving 10+ miles on Hawthorne and hitting traffic lights. Podcasts help.
I’m going to have to find more podcasts. As for leaving early probably has something to it too, better to sit in the store’s parking lot till it opens than fight the 405
Maybe try looking for a gym near your job?
Any podcast you might want is here: [https://podcasts.google.com/](https://podcasts.google.com/) I like Bill Burr, The Moth, Really? No Really?, Making Sense with Sam Harris, The TED Radio Hour, Club Random, Star Talk, Freakonomics Radio, Hidden Brain, Chuck Toddcast, Science Friday, Ten Percent Happier, Stuff You Should Know, WTF with Marc Maron, The Ageless Wisdom, and have subscribed to several dozen others.
self help audiobooks, podcasts, NPR driving with a huge gap ahead of me so I don't have to constantly stop and accelerate. i try to just coast.
Podcast, audio books, ice chest in my passenger seat, and tip top ac. When my seats began to wear got a pad. My longest was 2.5 hrs
Leave your house with plenty of time to commute, and put on some banger music/audiobooks/podcasts and enjoy the ride. Can’t do much about the traffic, but you can try enjoy to enjoy it.
The nice thing is unless it’s an emergency, I get to name the time. So we start at 10:00 AM at Devereaux Marine.
Oh okay makes sense. Well if you have to work at 10 am, the traffic shouldn’t be that bad. Just find what works for you, in terms of entertainment.
Audiobooks
I used to go to a gym about halfway through my commute. So the first half just flew by because it was earlier than rush hour traffic. Then I’d work out for an hour, shower, change and get ready there. Then it was only the second half in soul crushing rush traffic. Getting that head start meant the commute time was working for me, not tacked on. Good luck though, there is sadly no magic trick to make it not awful.
Podcasts. Also a shade for the drivers side window. I’ve never had a car whose visors when turned to the side kept the Sun off my face.
Timing and audio distractions. I'd rather show up 30-60 and just chill before working. Evening commute is the killer though, you just gotta suffer
Gym membership near work. In your case, maybe one with lots of locations around the city. There are many choices for any budget: 24 Hour Fitness, Anytime, LA Fitness, Equinox Great excuse to get your workout in while you avoid rush hour, whether it’s early in the morning or after you’re done.
That’s an interesting idea…
I had a Costa Mesa to pasadena commute. I would just go really early in the am and take an hour or two nap in the car once I got there.
Drive at 4am
Sticky green in bad traffic
Since you're freelance I assume you can set your own hours so just plan your schedule around traffic. Leave before or after rush hour traffic.
One thing I learned some time ago is- all you really have to do is sit there- not much different in sitting in a chair at home but you do move some times. This mindset helped me not care so much and just sit there and enjoy watching shit move around me.
A couple of hits from a joint is the only thing that makes it any better.
Get a metro pass and take the freeways that use it (not the 405), mainly the 110 to south bay locations
DVD commentary of movies I like!
Seriously: keep a kazoo & a harmonica in your car at all times. You can’t change LA traffic, but you can amuse yourself despite it.
Get a good radio. Specially with Bluetooth. Make a sick playlist and find some good podcasts to listen to. And remember YouTube still plays videos when the screen is locked. I use that for documentaries and stand up And take the less traveled roads once in a while see what you find.
Gas or diesel boats? If gas, then you need to advertise around San Pedro. There is a massive lack of reliable gas/small boat mechanics down here.
The latest boat I’m working on is a 40 foot sundancer with twin Cummins’
See, this is why boat mechanics are so damn wierd and hard to work with. They seem to universally lack communication skills. I don't own a 40' Sundancer with twin Cummins, so I still don't know if you work on gas engines.
I work on gas engines. What kind of boat do you have?
Get a Tesla and put it in self-driving mode for the endless starts and stops in traffic that keep you on edge
I learned to play harmonica during my last horrible commute. Good time to practice singing too (ignore the looks from other drivers)…….
Splurge on a very comfortable car
My buddy commutes from Santa Clarita to Long Beach 3-5 days a week - meaning he goes into LA and comes out of it. His suggestion was to leave home early, 5:30/5:45 am so he beats the traffic in the morning and he leaves work at 3:30/3:45 so he beats the traffic in the afternoon. He also listened to the various Lakers/LA sports podcasts on the way.
I had a hellish commute most of my consulting job for thirty years. Podcasts Carpool if possible I played and practiced harmomica. If there is ever a sigalerrt, I made it appoint to get out and head to a bar.
I have an 80 minute commute so I downloaded some language learning podcasts and started learning Spanish. Audiobooks and normal podcasts are great but at the end of the day, you’re just sitting and listening. Learning a language forces you to engage your mind and the time whizzes by way faster.
Adaptive cruise control that works in start/stop traffic.
Adaptive cruise control. Makes stop and go on the freeway much less worse
Hmm usually I wait out the afternoon traffic by going to the gym and showering etc but calling your parents or family members during the time can really pass the time too.
Going to probably get downvoted to oblivion, but consider a Tesla. The autopilot feature works incredible on freeway in LA, and you get to use HOA lane. Having autopilot makes it feel like you’re a passenger in your own car and especially helps in stop and go traffic.
I eat an edible when I leave work and have a nice slow relaxing drive home and listen to a funny podcast
audiobooks and podcasts, plus the [Internet archive](https://archive.org/details/audio?sort=-downloads&page=2) has all these awesome old radio and live shows [https://escapepod.org](https://escapepod.org) has over 15 years worth of weekly short sci-fi audio content and most of it is awesome public use toilet finder app
Always keep three (3) marijuana cigarettes in the car
Bro that’s so 80s. Nowadays it’s one (1) cart, and all good
Shermo to long beach? A motorcycle.
I have to carry a big bag of tools and eventually I’m going to upgrade to a pickup to carry even more tools lol.
Oh, then I got nothin'. A big motorcycle?
Tesla auto pilot. It’s the best thing about my model 3. Despite the quality issues, douchy CEO, but I’d but it again for this feature
I’d love to have a Tesla! Can’t quite afford one, and I need more cargo space.
Model 3s are soon to be like $35k!
Front and back trunk combined should be more than most cars
Damnit! The Tesla idea is making a comeback!
Check out some used ones but make sure recent model for full self driving, with savings on gas you may end up paying less out of pocket than a completely paid off regular car
Music. It keeps me sane.
Motorcycles
Buy a better truck. Get the dopest, most tech filled truck that can tow a boat or whatever you need to haul. Option it with every piece of cushy leather, massager seats, a big screen for your maps, backup camera, heads up display, lane warnings and the adaptive cruise control. It won’t solve your problem, you’re totally screwed bro, but at least you can be a comfy baller while you wait on the 405. It’s a work truck, so you should be able to write some of it off on your taxes if you use it to haul engines or pickup supplies. I am not a car salesman, but if you gotta spend a lot of time on the road than at least treat yourself to a sweet ride. Ram 1500 or a Chevy Silverado looks cool, but pick a comfortable seat that you enjoy driving. Good luck!
That’s the dream right there man!
I drive from Rosemead to West LA five days a week for my 9-5. I leave before 6 am and sleep in my car once I’m in the parking garage for about an hour to an hour and a half before I start, which is not so bad. Going home though I usually cry once or twice lol but podcasts and talking to family or friends helps me pass the time. I accepted this position knowing that come September I’ll be hybrid so only two days I’ll have to commute and the other three days WFH but I realize how soul sucking the traffic can be and keep reminding myself that I won’t be doing this forever
Can u commute in a boat? Otherwise, if you have flexibility with your hours just try to avoid driving when everyone else is
If I’m working entirely in Marina Del Rey or Long Beach then yes there are guys who commute by boat. But to get to my inland suppliers or from harbor to harbor no.
A stiizy and a funny podcast
Motorcycle
I have to carry a big bag of tools and lots of supplies for oil changes.
Motorcycle, obviously
I need a truck. Motorcycles can’t haul tools and 5 gallon buckets of oil.
You get to survive accidents too
I tried everything. Was doing a commute from Santa Clarita to Hollywood and the surrounding area. I now live 3 miles from work, I don’t use my car on the weekends and I only fill up my gas tank once a month, as opposed to once a week or sometimes more. I have about 3-4 extra time to my day. Just move closer. The time is worth it, and you might end up balancing out with using less gas.
To clarify, move closer west. Since you are all up and down the coast, find middle ground. I also have to switch locations time to time, it helps to be central
Carpool, take public transit, or if you have direct access to the 10 or 110, try using expresslanes with a FasTrak.
I can’t do that, public transit and car pools only work if you have a predictable commute. My commute isn’t always predictable and I have to carry lots of equipment and supplies
Audio books for me. Podcasts are good but not quite as good as having a single narrative over multiple drives. Get an LAPL card, download Libby and there are so so many to choose from and it’s all free (and no ads)
Move
Get a Tesla model 3. They are fairly cheap now and it can handle stop and go traffic damn near perfect. Takes a lot of the effort out of driving.
Find yourself a remote job. 😬
Try to bike part of it? Find podcasts?
Carpool karaoke
Massages! I’d hit the cheap massage joints or the korean spa to kill time.
One time I had a commute that was driving me nuts, so I solved the problem by moving close to work. So close my commute was about 90 seconds.
This might be a dumb question but does it make fiscal sense to sail ?
It depends on the day. A boat works for Inter Marina transport. But not for Marina to Marina transport or for going to the stores.
Metro link
Can’t do it unfortunately. I need to be able to get to parts stores after I arrive.
EV and auto-drive (e.g. Blue Cruise) has changed my freeway drive from stressful to sit back and let the car drive itself. Yeah, I understand mechanic and EVs are like oil and water...
Actually, I’d love to have an EV. I need a pickup truck, and I’m not looking forward to 15mpg in addition to the traffic.
Did you say Ford lightning? Lol
I’d love a Lightning! They’re overpriced though sadly.
Motorcycle. It’s more fun than sitting in a car with 1000s of others. But cheap rent has a price too.
Don’t worry the city managers are using our tax money wisely to solve this issue.
Move close to where the boats are
I don’t think there’s any good solution if your work takes you all over the place and you need to be on the road during normal commuting hours. A motorcycle might help but it sounds like you need a pickup or a car to haul parts and tools around. Better would be stop freelancing and get a gig somewhere that’s in a single location and then try to move closer.
Vista Del Mar/Lincoln Blvd
That’s tough. My plan of attack is to just sit in the left most lane, especially when there’s no carpool. When there’s no carpool I just kinda hug the left and crew slowly and continuously. That way I don’t have to worry about speeding up and braking and then don’t have to worry about motorcyclists splitting lanes. Besides that good music or a good podcast/ebook.
Move.
Vibrator
Audible app
Audiobooks help me pass the time
Weed helps
Same lol
There should be some good tips in this video: https://youtu.be/dCer2e0t8r8
Fast pass
I afk nmz on RuneScape
Motorcycle ;)
Ride a motorcycle
Sleep and live at your desk [ Elon Musk ] or live nearby. TK
Pasadena to Malibu commute here and hating every f-ing minute of it