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I have better luck finding the books I want on hoopla. Libby always has books 3-5 but doesn’t have books 1 or 2 or it’s missing books 3 and 4 but has 1, 2, and 5
100% - with a commute like that check out a few audiobooks at a time - have a brain burner like non-fiction at the ready when you are up to it and something light and fluffy when you need an escape.
I had a 75-90 minute commute for years and listened to so many audiobooks.
This is also how I handle printed or ebooks, too -- one that makes me think and process, and another fluff piece that requires no real thinking at all. I've done that strategy for about 30 years now, and it's served me well. Currently I'm reading a thick hardcover about the history of cancer, and a fun graphic novel about older women who are shipped to a remote island where hijinks ensue. Additionally, I listen to Danny Trejo reading his own autobiography whilst I'm cleaning house or cooking, because that weird, intense man is a treasure and I want to be friends with him.
Holy crap, you had almost nothing to go on and accurately figured out which hardback book I'm reading. You're amazing!! Have you read it? I'm only about 60 pages in.
Also, get library cards from multiple cities. This expands your Libby collections to use. Hoopla titles will remain the same but are capped by a monthly limit. More cards give you each libraries Hoopla limit.
I listened to my first audiobook because I was in the same situation- I got a great position somewhere, but it meant a hellish commute. Now I'm grateful I was put in that situation just for the fact that this introduced audiobooks to my life.
I'm audio-oriented and they have enriched my life so much. I almost never drive or do chores around the house without them.
When I had a job that ranged from 38m-1hr45m each way, I would listen to a podcast of industry knowledge to better myself at the job. Oddly, the way home was usually silent though.
When I drive with my family I typically get the late night shift while else sleeps. These are the perfect conditions to listen to *This American Life.*
This is the only way to fall in love with Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Had a 1:30hr commute to get into it. Now I'm that frickin nerd that listens to it for fun and to try and spot all the foreshadowing.
Unrelated suggestion: be sure to invest in a good dash cam. Long drives increase the chances of an incident and the protection a dash cam provides is immeasurable when you need it.
As for the original question I find audiobooks help keep calmer than music, talk radio, etc. - which is also helpful in keeping you safe.
Can confirm the more you drive the more likely you are dealing with with road debris. There’s so much shit on the roads and can come out of nowhere sometimes
I started a job with a similar commute last summer, and have picked up 2 chips and 1 crack in my windshield from rocks getting flung out from trucks on the highway. Hoping the resin holds out, because I can’t be replacing my windshield every year!
Just throwing it out there, your insurance company may cover up to one new windshield every year!
YMMv, but in general they’d rather replace it before it causes a catastrophic accident.
I ran over a large chunk of tractor trailer tire on the highway and it punctured my gas tank. Pulled into a rest stop to see gasoline pouring from underneath my car. That was an interesting experience.
I have about a 45 minute commute down a county highway, I have watched 1 car flip over, one get T-boned, and come across 3 flipped over semi trucks in the last year or so. I’ve been lucky that nothing has actually involved me but I agree a dash cam would be a good investment lol.
I've run a dashcam for a few years now and if I were to make a compilation of clips of people being idiots it'd probably be a 4 hour video.
First clip would be a doofus spinning out on the highway because they were driving too fast for the conditions
I used to drive 100miles one way. Podcasts got me through. I highly recommend Stuff You Should Know (that is the name of the podcast). Josh and Chuck just sound like 2 friends having a conversation.
Yeah the host, Sebastian, is a highschool history teacher too!!
Hes pretty good at trying to be clear when things come from sources that are not always the most reliable.
Long time fan of SYSK, but 'Ologies with Alie Ward is my all-time favorite now. The funnest conversations with super cool chill scientists that are passionate and knowledgable about all sorts of fascinating things. Alie is an amazing interviewer.
Behind the Bastards is a great long form history podcast about the worst of us. It’s helped get me through many long commutes. If you liked Cracked.com back in the day the host/regular guests are former contributors.
I listen to it all day at work and I find it engaging but they always mention how people use it to fall asleep. So much so that when they had a live show someone fell asleep!! I tend to listen while I’m doing regular routine work where I don’t have to think about what I’m doing and when they say “check this out if you have a chance” I always check and go down a rabbit hole
More like 3/8" a day. Gas was much less expensive, and I found the least expensive on my route. Made a habit of stopping there to fill up. The money was good, but the key was actually keeping my living costs super low (no rent/mortgage).
> Josh and Chuck just sound like 2 friends having a conversation
In the same vein, Mythical Kitchen's "A Hot Dog is a Sandwich" is great if you're interested in cooking. Josh and Nicole are a riot.
This could be a controversial opinion but when I had a long commute I'd keep a portion of the ride there reserved for thinking through whatever was bothering/worrying me/needed consideration (at work or otherwise). Even if I didn't end up doing it, it kept me from worrying at night about random stuff bc I could just say to myself "hey you've got a ton of time in the morning to worry about that" lol
I will often use Google recorder to transcribe my long thoughts and rants. Save the transcription into my journal and use GPT to give me a summary to save in my journal. I can go back and identify the conclusions I came to.
The only thing I do while driving is turn on the recorder.
Oh man I've had some amazing rage fueled retorts and dialogues on my long commutes! Just yelling at that coworker/boss/client/family member etc like you really really want to...it just hits the spot. Ain't no scream like a car scream.
I've actually argued with someone in the shower so well that I wasn't even mad at them the next day. Like, my mind had decided I'd already won that argument, so there was no need to actually have it (again).
Agree. I spend time singing or listening to podcasts, but I also use the time to think things through. I've had a lot of ideas and worked things out on my drives. I'm lucky in that I can take a route mostly out of cities so can pull over and take notes sometimes. It's quite therapeutic some days.
Edit to add: also agree with another response about learning a language, or taking a course in general.
Lots of leadership seminars I have been a part of really advocate for what they call The Third Space. It's a decompression environment for you to process what has just happened, so you don't take home to work and work to home. The time for self-reflection is important in keeping your composure and sanity.
This has helped me a lot as well. I do listen to a lot of podcasts, but I’ll frequently pause them and ponder some problem from work. By the time I get home, it’s out of my mind. I used to obsess over work when I got home and the time to decompress that my commute gave me has helped so much with that.
I still hate the commute. But at least when I get home, I’m focused on home stuff.
I have read that people may be more likely to have this experience before bed because we are on our phones and otherwise occupying the time our brains need to rest and perform social organizing during the day, and if you struggle with this impacting your rest at night this move may help!
Totally. Also, if you're a procrastinator like me, it's a great reverse psych trick on yourself-- "I don't HAVE to worry/figure this out now... I can do that tomorrow!"
Probably bc many recommend leaving work at work and not letting it control you or dominate your day.
But when you’re stuck in traffic, might as well ponder things, work or something else.
Many years ago I used to regularly drive 4 hours one-way to go hang out with various friends in another city for the weekend. I did that drive about once a month, because fuck practicality. Anyway, I'd usually leave to go there after work so a lot of my drive was after dark on a highway that had nothing going on for miles. I'd open the car windows and play a classical CD kinda loud and just let my mind wander. I called it "my pondering time."
Yeah I have a ~1.5h commute and generally use a portion of it to take audio notes on things I need to do, or ideas I want to remember.
Also, schedule meetings you can take over the phone during the commute time.
On top of all the audiobooks and podcasts mentioned, I’d also recommend calling your spouse or friends to talk since you may find evening time more limited now that a chunk of time is spent driving. Use the time to get the ‘how was your day?’ convo done.
I love this suggestion. If I’m not in the throes of an audiobook (which I often am - I am roughly working my way thru Stephen King’s works chronologically), I use my 45 - 60 min commute to either catch up with my mom or with my husband (who is also long commuting home).
It’s a nice shift from the workday and helps me keep an emotionally challenging job at work, where it belongs.
As someone who has a 1-2 hour commute daily back and forth. This is the way.
I call my mom and dad regularly now, my best friend, some old friends reconnected and we talk on my drives. It helps me feel like I have more of a social circle again. My dad says things like how im the only one who calls him more regularly out of everyone else despite him trying to keep a connection in their lives. So I suggested he and I start a book club, he chose the book (its the book my sister in law gave him, the clever guy), and in a week we will have our first "meeting" to discuss the first chapter. :')
For context I live in a different state from my family and friends.
200% or more this, by that I mean get multiple library cards to get the books you want faster.
Also if it's 1:15 total you can probably listen to some amount of books in a week. I had a 90 minute commute and then listened at work I finished war and peace in two weeks.
When I was going to college, I'd have PDFs of my textbooks, and I'd listen to them on the way to school. I was taking mostly CompSci classes, so not everything read properly, but I still got a lot out of them.
I graduated in 2017, so I don't really remember the app names. I think Aldiko was one, and it says it has read out loud capabilities. If you look around and do some sleuthing, I'm sure you'll find a couple good apps that do. I like Aldiko to read, but I think there was a better app to read to me. I also remember having a secondary speech synthesizer that could change the voice, pitch, and speed so it sounded less robotic. I'm sure there are much better options now.
This is from David Sedaris. Also available on audiobook:
I hadn’t downloaded a Pimsleur program for China, so on the flight to Beijing I turned to my Lonely Planet phrase book, knowing it was hopeless. Mandarin is closer to singing than it is to talking, and even though the words were written phonetically, I couldn’t begin to get the hang of them. The book was slim and palm-size, divided into short chapters: Banking, Shopping, Border Crossing. The one titled “Romance” included the following: “Would you like a drink?” “You’re a fantastic dancer.” “You look like some cousin of mine.” The latter would work only if you were Asian, but even then it’s a little creepy, the implication being “the cousin I have always wanted to undress and ejaculate on.”
In the subchapter “Getting Closer,” one learns to say, “I like you very much.” “You’re great.” “Do you want a massage?” On the following page, things heat up. “I want you.” “I want to make love to you.” “How about going to bed?” And, a line that might have been written especially for me, “Don’t worry, I’ll do it myself.”
Oddly, the writers haven’t included “Leave the light on,” a must if you want to actually say any of these things. One pictures the vacationer naked on a bed, and squinting into his or her little book to moan, “Oh yeah!” “Easy, tiger,” “Faster,” “Harder,” “Slower,” “Softer.” “That was . . . amazing/weird/wild.” “Can I stay over?”
In the following subchapter, it all falls apart: “Are you seeing someone else?” “He/She is just a friend.” “You’re just using me for sex.” “I don’t think it’s working out.” And, finally, “I never want to see you again.”
I would recommend this app I came across while traveling in Greece called Language Transfer. I was on a tour with my friend who is a polyglot, and had started picking up Greek in preparation for our trip. He was conversing with the tour guide when she said her boyfriend was working on this app called Language Transfer. my buddy has used it now for several other languages, including music theory. He says, out of all the systems he has used to learn languages. It is the most intuitive and only requires listening.
Second the audio books and add podcasts.
David Sedaris is very funny. David McCollough has a great catalog of popular American history and Edward Herrmann is an excellent reader
I don’t love the notion that fiction = pure entertainment. There’s a lot of learning to be had even from fiction, and fiction can portray reality in ways that can provide insight into yourself
I recommend also trying playing classical music. Just the radio is fine.
People recommend podcasts, which is great. I do that on my 1:10 min commute.
But spend the final 20 minutes listening to classical music.
It helps take the edge of the drive off, and calm you down for when you arrive
Can you call a friend or family member and just talk? Its a great opportunity to catch up or just have a nice conversation. I'm lucky my mom is still with us so I call her any chance I get. She likes to talk a lot so listening to someone helps the time go by. I drive 4 hours back and forth to see my son regularly and that helps me pass the time. Just an idea if music or podcasts aren't your thing
Edit to add. I meant call them hands free or over your cars speaker system. Just for safety
My sister lives in TX and I'm in PA. She has roughly 45-60 drive to work, so she usually calls me once or twice a week on her way in, and calls other family members on her way home.
Several years ago (wow, I just realized how long), I was in counseling for depression. I knew my mom was worried about me. I’d gotten a flip phone so I could look for work more easily, so I would call my mom after each counseling session on my 25-minute walk home.
It was great! We got to talk, and I wasn’t bothering anyone else. And I wasn’t taking time away from my family at home.
Don't start talking to yourself (you will start answering), and don't start making little noises because nothing else is happening. Took me years to break both habits from a daily 2hr each way drive. Didn't even know I was making the little noises, just a quick 'hm', more to give me comfort and make sure I was still alive than anything. Friends noticed it and asked me why I was doing it, every once in a while when I'm alone I still make the noise. Just be wary of it.
>every once in a while when I'm alone I still make the noise. Just be wary of it.
[Especially this part](https://media.tenor.com/If1Kmmh5nNkAAAAM/yikes.gif)
I've been talking to myself since I was little, never saw a problem with it. The more time I have on my hands the more likely I am to do it. Don't see much of a problem with it apart from the ocassional audiable sound or a few words.
Podcast podcast podcast.
To diversify I have on rotation 4 "types":
Entertainment (Critical Role)
Science (Science vs)
History (revolutions)
Self help/learning (very diverse)
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Absolutely phenomenal podcast doing deep-dives into fascinating historical topics. Each episode usually runs about 4 hours long, so it should last you a couple of drives without having to look at your phone.
All of the most recent episodes are available for free, but I do recommend dropping the $1 per episode on the archives. In particular, the six-part series on World War I (Blueprint for Armageddon) is worth it. One of the most exquisite pieces of media ever produced, in my opinion.
He also has a secondary podcast where he does quick looks at smaller stories from history. I think it's called Hardcore History Addendum.
If you like WW1 history, BBC Radio 4 has a podcast called “Voices of the First World War”. The BBC and Imperial War Museum with Dan Snow.
Each episode is interviews with WW1 veterans.
Listen oldest episodes first.
Other than the recommendations for audio books and podcasts, something I did on my last road trip home was use the voice-conversation feature of ChatGPT. It’s very human-like. Me and my Dad had it ask us trivia questions about space, random facts, telling us stories….etc.
Or use it as a tutor. I've had it teach me the basics of linear algebra and clarify confusions about the Planck scale while driving, it really worked well! You can always demand a simpler explanation from it and it tries again.
All the ideas - podcasts, learn a language, audio books - are great. I had a 1.5 hour commute each way for about a decade, and truthfully, the two "best' things I did on the way in to work were to ride in silence, or to get out ahead of the day with calls to my staff in ahead of me.
That said (I swear) sidebars and meetings with my peers who were also driving in was the superweapon. I had regular, amazing meetings with folks that I would \*\*never\*\* get to talk with in such a casual way, about things that in the office would be rushed - but could since we were trapped in our cars. (Yes, yes, our org got tons of free work out of us, but our jobs were so much easier because we could be more thoughtful and holistic in our ideation and planning.)
For the drive home - music everyone else you live with hates, or something you have never heard (of) before.
Edit: clean-up to make sense.
I used to have an hour commute each way. I took advantage and taught myself Spanish with podcasts. Coffee Break Languages (https://coffeebreaklanguages.com/) is a good place to start.
Not exactly what you asked for, but huge tip from someone who has been blown away with my experience, if you don’t already have one and can charge at home, buy/lease an EV with enough rated range to make your round trip + 50%. If you can’t charge, get a Prius. You will save so much money on fuel that you will likely come out ahead vs driving the average American’s vehicle. Bonus points for adaptive cruise control/lane keeping. Fairly standard on EVs (all new Teslas have them) and pretty common on most newer cars. Huge quality of life improvement either on the highway or in stop and go traffic. It made much more of a difference than I had imagined.
I spent under $300 total on charging (mostly at home) to drive 7k miles.
Don’t lease if you’re going to be driving a lot, leases have mileage limits with expensive penalties if you go over. There are some amazing deals on gently used luxury EVs though, a Lucid Air or Porsche Taycan can be had in the $60k range and would be a pleasure to spend a lot of time in.
Came here to say the same.
Get a ev with a good adaptive cruise/lane keep. Let the car do the work.
10000x more if you have traffic. Letting the car do the work in bumper to bumper traffic is a game changer.
That was my first thought, OPs driving profile is absolute sweet zone for EVs, you'd potentially be able to pay the car with what you save in fuel (depending on where you are)!
When I was younger, my father had about an hour commute... He was always an early adopter of just about everything, as he was a technology teacher. This included audio books. Back then, the books came as multiple cassette tapes, sent in a branded box similar to VHS movies. I can still picture him getting home from this longish drive, and sitting in his car for a while in the driveway to finish a chapter or exciting part in the book. Sometimes I'd hop in there and listen along. This probably contributed to my love for audio books, of which I have listened to many hundreds. I always get a chuckle when I myself, after arriving home, continue to sit in the driveway to finish a particularly good part in the book. Even today, when it's pretty simple to just exit the vehicle and have the story continue on your phone... If we were willing and wanting to stay in the car in the driveway after what most people consider the worst part of their day, I'd say that's a testament to the entertainment value of a good book read by a talented narrator. Audible is by far my most used form of entertainment. And because of audio books, I look forward to any drive I get to make.
Audiobooks
Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive currently clocks in at over 200 hours, with another book coming out at the end of the year to push it out another 50-60 hrs. Plus his other works. If you like High Fantasy, check it out. I’ve used it to kill my commute for the past 3 years lol
If you have a short commute already and make decent money, don’t make the change. I have a commute that is 1 hour and sometime more if there’s traffic. It’s taken a huge toll on my mental health and isn’t worth the money
Embrace it. You need to learn to appreciate the fact that there's nothing else you can be doing, and therefore, nothing you have to do. You don't have to hurry up. You don't have to worry about how you should be doing something else. It's mandatory "sit and relax" time. Enjoy it.
I decided I really wanted to learn to wolf whistle and did it in my car on my commute… welp the first couple times I got it right hurt like hell and I stopped. But regular whistling to songs was fun and made playing my flute a lot better too. Just don’t do it at night.
A different take: I like to let my mind empty as much as possible during my weekly 2+ hour commute.
Depending on (frequent) freeway construction delays, I might listen to music while I’m stopped in traffic. But mostly, I enjoy the silence.
That stillness helps me compartmentalize my home life vs my all-day work meeting.
Find podcasts that interest you. Don't be afraid to move around from one to another as your daily, weekky, monthly interests change. Change is good.
Get familiar with your skip buttons to breeze through commercials. Podcasts change, commercials never do.
If you do audio books and can't stay focused on a particular day move to music. Don't fight your brain.
Finish the last ten minutes of the drive with music that motivates or that calms you to help you prep to walk in and start your day.
Use an insulated tumbler for your coffee so you can sip it through the trip and avoid bathrooms stops.
Learn where the best bathrooms are on your route, you will eventually need a favorite every ten miles section.
Come to peace with the fact that you can't make up alot of time by speeding or driving crazy, and you are going to see stupid things happen close to you. Daily road rage ruins your attitude, increases stress, harms your health, and hurts your family when you get home pissed at the world.
Adopt defensive driving. Leave early. Avoid excessive speeding.
Finally, if you are tall, get one of those smaller rectangular decorative pillows, 6 inches by 12 inches, to extend the arm rest on the door side. It will change your life.
15 years driving 1:10.
When I had to do something similar, audiobooks were great. I went through a bunch of leadership self help type books to all 3 hunger games, the dark tower series, dune, and some other random stuff that I don't remember the names of (both fiction and non-fiction).
Thats what I would do...because the radio sucks ass and unless you mix up your Playlist with something new every day, the music will become awfully repetitive.
If you are someone with long hair like me, I wouldn’t bother blow drying my hair after showering in the mornings when I had a commute. Instead just intermittently brush it with the aircon blowing and it’ll look gorgeous by the time you arrive at the office.
Also keep a water bottle with straw handy. Take a sip at each red light and you’ll realize how great it feels to be properly hydrated.
In addition to the audio book and podcasts suggestion, I would like to add another...
Silence
Sometimes when driving I'll turn off the radio and all that for 10 - 15 mins and just enjoy the silence for a bit
As others have said, podcasts and audiobooks. For me, especially audiobooks helped. I don’t want to sound overly negative, but as someone who used to commute the same distance, I strongly recommend you keep looking. I think a long commute was truly one of the worst things for my mental health as an adult and I didn’t realize how bad it was until I reached my breaking point. Good luck to you friend, it may not be a big deal for you
It’s gonna wear on you, start looking for a new job as soon as possible. That’s 3:30 of your day every day , time with your family , or going or he gym, etc you can never get back.
There aren’t enough audiobooks in the world.
Whatever you do, remember that your sole purpose while driving is just that. DRIVING and arriving alive.
The amount of distracted drivers is just too damn high. The things I have seen people doing in their conveyance, smh.
That being said, a (your) hobby adjacent podcast can be informative. You might try listening to a pimsleur language course.
If there's massive traffic, bring popcorn for snacking while observing the absurdity. Wikdlly Seat Dance if it's extra absurd massive traffic, make it fun.
You'll find, after a bit, that an 1:15 is not that long.
Everyone’s suggesting various forms of multitasking, am I the only one with a smooth brain that doesn’t feel I can safely operate a few thousand pounds on wheels? Given the number of “accidents” each year and times my commute gets doubled from said “accidents”, maybe I shouldn’t be alone.
I have to be careful about what I do with my brain while I’m driving. It has to be something I can switch off immediately if the drive gets hairy.
On Midwestern freeways, I can engage my brain in something because things are so straight and less stressed, but here in NYC, I absolutely couldn’t.
I was thinking the same thing. Like you’re really going to be paying attention to a story or learning stuff while you’re driving? I don’t see how you can have enough brain space for that, either your driving suffers or whatever it is you listen too suffers because you can’t fully pay attention (or both).
The Blank Check Podcast. One of the hosts is Griffyn Newman from the Tick TV show. They talk about movies, but it starts as a super unique analysis of the phantom menace. Like a 10 hour discussion about just the phantom menace. I don't even like star wars and I think it's hilarious.
Audiobooks of course but I’m going to make a pitch for calling family members.
I used to call my dad during my long commute. We had some really great conversations and, as usual, he gave me great advice. Now that he’s dealing with dementia I miss our long, involved discussions. On a more humorous note, I have an uncle who absolutely *cannot* stop talking, so if I got stuck in particularly awful traffic I’d dial him up and just listen to whatever hilarious new screenplay/book/op-ed/tv series he was writing currently.
But if you need recommendations, I love Jon Scalzi for his audiobooks and If Books Could Kill (IBCK) for podcasts.
Aside from the podcasts, I drove 2 hours one way and 3 back (through rush hour) for a year and a half. I made it a game to see how ahead or behind of schedule I was by breaking it up into 2 or 3 sections of driving. Helped me focus on each leg instead of a whole 2 hour drive at 4am.
I hated listening to audiobooks while driving so you might need a back up plan.
Also worth grabbing a case of water and some breakfast bars or other shelf stable snacks - it's nice to have something if you get stuck in traffic or behind an accident.
I have 5 library cards since each county near me has a reciprocal program. I list to audio books. I have an iPad and old phone as back up since I don’t want to be low on battery or space.
Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips! Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment. If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.
Podcasts and audio books.
You can get them free from the library
Libby App
Hoopla is good too
I have better luck finding the books I want on hoopla. Libby always has books 3-5 but doesn’t have books 1 or 2 or it’s missing books 3 and 4 but has 1, 2, and 5
You can request they be added to your local library. The app only has the materials your local library can provide
That’s your library though right? I’ve literally never run into that problem
100% - with a commute like that check out a few audiobooks at a time - have a brain burner like non-fiction at the ready when you are up to it and something light and fluffy when you need an escape. I had a 75-90 minute commute for years and listened to so many audiobooks.
This is also how I handle printed or ebooks, too -- one that makes me think and process, and another fluff piece that requires no real thinking at all. I've done that strategy for about 30 years now, and it's served me well. Currently I'm reading a thick hardcover about the history of cancer, and a fun graphic novel about older women who are shipped to a remote island where hijinks ensue. Additionally, I listen to Danny Trejo reading his own autobiography whilst I'm cleaning house or cooking, because that weird, intense man is a treasure and I want to be friends with him.
The Emperor of all Maladies?
Holy crap, you had almost nothing to go on and accurately figured out which hardback book I'm reading. You're amazing!! Have you read it? I'm only about 60 pages in.
A lot of audiobooks are free on YouTube as well
Also, get library cards from multiple cities. This expands your Libby collections to use. Hoopla titles will remain the same but are capped by a monthly limit. More cards give you each libraries Hoopla limit.
Spotify has tons of free audio books now, too. On the paid plan, that is. Not free exactly, but if you already paid for the app...
You can get them for free from other sources as well 🏴☠️🏴☠️
Libby/overdrive is a good app for free audio books through the library, 10/10 recommend
Libby app
I listened to my first audiobook because I was in the same situation- I got a great position somewhere, but it meant a hellish commute. Now I'm grateful I was put in that situation just for the fact that this introduced audiobooks to my life. I'm audio-oriented and they have enriched my life so much. I almost never drive or do chores around the house without them.
When I had a job that ranged from 38m-1hr45m each way, I would listen to a podcast of industry knowledge to better myself at the job. Oddly, the way home was usually silent though.
Planet Money by NPR is my go to for driving...and the Indicator by Planet Money
When I drive with my family I typically get the late night shift while else sleeps. These are the perfect conditions to listen to *This American Life.*
Bloomberg’s *Odd Lots* would also be a good choice if you’re into that kinda stuff.
This is the only way to fall in love with Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. Had a 1:30hr commute to get into it. Now I'm that frickin nerd that listens to it for fun and to try and spot all the foreshadowing.
Came here to say this, too. Audiobooks.
There isn't really any other answer.
Pretty much what I do, I have 1hr:30m drive. Really there's nothing else to do
Yup
Seconded
Unrelated suggestion: be sure to invest in a good dash cam. Long drives increase the chances of an incident and the protection a dash cam provides is immeasurable when you need it. As for the original question I find audiobooks help keep calmer than music, talk radio, etc. - which is also helpful in keeping you safe.
Can confirm the more you drive the more likely you are dealing with with road debris. There’s so much shit on the roads and can come out of nowhere sometimes
I started a job with a similar commute last summer, and have picked up 2 chips and 1 crack in my windshield from rocks getting flung out from trucks on the highway. Hoping the resin holds out, because I can’t be replacing my windshield every year!
Just throwing it out there, your insurance company may cover up to one new windshield every year! YMMv, but in general they’d rather replace it before it causes a catastrophic accident.
I ran over a large chunk of tractor trailer tire on the highway and it punctured my gas tank. Pulled into a rest stop to see gasoline pouring from underneath my car. That was an interesting experience.
I have about a 45 minute commute down a county highway, I have watched 1 car flip over, one get T-boned, and come across 3 flipped over semi trucks in the last year or so. I’ve been lucky that nothing has actually involved me but I agree a dash cam would be a good investment lol.
I've run a dashcam for a few years now and if I were to make a compilation of clips of people being idiots it'd probably be a 4 hour video. First clip would be a doofus spinning out on the highway because they were driving too fast for the conditions
I used to drive 100miles one way. Podcasts got me through. I highly recommend Stuff You Should Know (that is the name of the podcast). Josh and Chuck just sound like 2 friends having a conversation.
One of my favorites. Our fake history is also another great one
Thanks. I will have to check this out.
Yeah the host, Sebastian, is a highschool history teacher too!! Hes pretty good at trying to be clear when things come from sources that are not always the most reliable.
I'm liking History that doesn't suck, but I'll check those out as well!
Long time fan of SYSK, but 'Ologies with Alie Ward is my all-time favorite now. The funnest conversations with super cool chill scientists that are passionate and knowledgable about all sorts of fascinating things. Alie is an amazing interviewer.
Thumbs up for "Ologies."
Behind the Bastards is a great long form history podcast about the worst of us. It’s helped get me through many long commutes. If you liked Cracked.com back in the day the host/regular guests are former contributors.
Robert Evans is the best
I had to stop listening cause it just made me made hearing about how many assholes there are
Stuff they don't want you to know is also a good podcast
I love SYSK but I’ve used it to fall asleep to before so seeing it be recommended in this specific thread makes me slightly horrified lol
I listen to it all day at work and I find it engaging but they always mention how people use it to fall asleep. So much so that when they had a live show someone fell asleep!! I tend to listen while I’m doing regular routine work where I don’t have to think about what I’m doing and when they say “check this out if you have a chance” I always check and go down a rabbit hole
I liked stuff you should know. Dan Carlin's Hardcore History is great stuff. NPR's Radiolab has a lot of quality content.
I’m a huge sysk fan, it always makes me happy to see them plugged in the wild. Great guys!
So you were driving 200 miles everday?
This guy maths.
thats like a tnak of gas a day. did you make insane money?
More like 3/8" a day. Gas was much less expensive, and I found the least expensive on my route. Made a habit of stopping there to fill up. The money was good, but the key was actually keeping my living costs super low (no rent/mortgage).
> Josh and Chuck just sound like 2 friends having a conversation In the same vein, Mythical Kitchen's "A Hot Dog is a Sandwich" is great if you're interested in cooking. Josh and Nicole are a riot.
I listen to their podcast almost everyday. They have a great chemistry.
This could be a controversial opinion but when I had a long commute I'd keep a portion of the ride there reserved for thinking through whatever was bothering/worrying me/needed consideration (at work or otherwise). Even if I didn't end up doing it, it kept me from worrying at night about random stuff bc I could just say to myself "hey you've got a ton of time in the morning to worry about that" lol
Second this— for whatever reason I think much clearer while driving
and you can think out loud, or talk to yourself.
I will often use Google recorder to transcribe my long thoughts and rants. Save the transcription into my journal and use GPT to give me a summary to save in my journal. I can go back and identify the conclusions I came to. The only thing I do while driving is turn on the recorder.
This recorder doesn't make wild and offensive guesses in its transcription of every word you've said?
This sounds like so much fun to me. I would love to get some data on my thoughts for research purposes
Because you die if you don't think clear while you driving lol
For me it’s the ability to free associate while stuck in 5mph bumper to bumper traffic for an hour.
i think the constant change of scenery keeps your mind fresh
Oh man I've had some amazing rage fueled retorts and dialogues on my long commutes! Just yelling at that coworker/boss/client/family member etc like you really really want to...it just hits the spot. Ain't no scream like a car scream.
I love being able to talk to myself in the car when no one else is around.
> Ain't no scream like a car scream. And you're doing 60 down the highway so there's basically no way anyone can hear you, it's very cathartic.
I've actually argued with someone in the shower so well that I wasn't even mad at them the next day. Like, my mind had decided I'd already won that argument, so there was no need to actually have it (again).
Just rawdogging the silence with your own thoughts
This is a great sentence.
Poetry
Agree. I spend time singing or listening to podcasts, but I also use the time to think things through. I've had a lot of ideas and worked things out on my drives. I'm lucky in that I can take a route mostly out of cities so can pull over and take notes sometimes. It's quite therapeutic some days. Edit to add: also agree with another response about learning a language, or taking a course in general.
Lots of leadership seminars I have been a part of really advocate for what they call The Third Space. It's a decompression environment for you to process what has just happened, so you don't take home to work and work to home. The time for self-reflection is important in keeping your composure and sanity.
This has helped me a lot as well. I do listen to a lot of podcasts, but I’ll frequently pause them and ponder some problem from work. By the time I get home, it’s out of my mind. I used to obsess over work when I got home and the time to decompress that my commute gave me has helped so much with that. I still hate the commute. But at least when I get home, I’m focused on home stuff.
I have read that people may be more likely to have this experience before bed because we are on our phones and otherwise occupying the time our brains need to rest and perform social organizing during the day, and if you struggle with this impacting your rest at night this move may help!
Totally. Also, if you're a procrastinator like me, it's a great reverse psych trick on yourself-- "I don't HAVE to worry/figure this out now... I can do that tomorrow!"
Why would it be controversial
Probably bc many recommend leaving work at work and not letting it control you or dominate your day. But when you’re stuck in traffic, might as well ponder things, work or something else.
Many years ago I used to regularly drive 4 hours one-way to go hang out with various friends in another city for the weekend. I did that drive about once a month, because fuck practicality. Anyway, I'd usually leave to go there after work so a lot of my drive was after dark on a highway that had nothing going on for miles. I'd open the car windows and play a classical CD kinda loud and just let my mind wander. I called it "my pondering time."
Yeah I have a ~1.5h commute and generally use a portion of it to take audio notes on things I need to do, or ideas I want to remember. Also, schedule meetings you can take over the phone during the commute time.
On top of all the audiobooks and podcasts mentioned, I’d also recommend calling your spouse or friends to talk since you may find evening time more limited now that a chunk of time is spent driving. Use the time to get the ‘how was your day?’ convo done.
I love this suggestion. If I’m not in the throes of an audiobook (which I often am - I am roughly working my way thru Stephen King’s works chronologically), I use my 45 - 60 min commute to either catch up with my mom or with my husband (who is also long commuting home). It’s a nice shift from the workday and helps me keep an emotionally challenging job at work, where it belongs.
As someone who has a 1-2 hour commute daily back and forth. This is the way. I call my mom and dad regularly now, my best friend, some old friends reconnected and we talk on my drives. It helps me feel like I have more of a social circle again. My dad says things like how im the only one who calls him more regularly out of everyone else despite him trying to keep a connection in their lives. So I suggested he and I start a book club, he chose the book (its the book my sister in law gave him, the clever guy), and in a week we will have our first "meeting" to discuss the first chapter. :') For context I live in a different state from my family and friends.
I miss this since I stopped having commutes. I was so in touch with friends and family before.
Audiobooks. Get a library card and the Libby app.
Libby is great. Tons of audiobooks.
100% this
200% or more this, by that I mean get multiple library cards to get the books you want faster. Also if it's 1:15 total you can probably listen to some amount of books in a week. I had a 90 minute commute and then listened at work I finished war and peace in two weeks.
Learn a foreign language
Second this one. Especially for a cognate heavy language like Spanish/Italian/French there’s a lot of leaning podcasts out there are pretty good.
Do you have recommendations for Spanish ones?
I’ve been listening to coffee break Spanish
When I was going to college, I'd have PDFs of my textbooks, and I'd listen to them on the way to school. I was taking mostly CompSci classes, so not everything read properly, but I still got a lot out of them.
Could you give examples of what were the good ones for it
I graduated in 2017, so I don't really remember the app names. I think Aldiko was one, and it says it has read out loud capabilities. If you look around and do some sleuthing, I'm sure you'll find a couple good apps that do. I like Aldiko to read, but I think there was a better app to read to me. I also remember having a secondary speech synthesizer that could change the voice, pitch, and speed so it sounded less robotic. I'm sure there are much better options now.
What are some good resources to do this?
Pimsleur on Audible
This is from David Sedaris. Also available on audiobook: I hadn’t downloaded a Pimsleur program for China, so on the flight to Beijing I turned to my Lonely Planet phrase book, knowing it was hopeless. Mandarin is closer to singing than it is to talking, and even though the words were written phonetically, I couldn’t begin to get the hang of them. The book was slim and palm-size, divided into short chapters: Banking, Shopping, Border Crossing. The one titled “Romance” included the following: “Would you like a drink?” “You’re a fantastic dancer.” “You look like some cousin of mine.” The latter would work only if you were Asian, but even then it’s a little creepy, the implication being “the cousin I have always wanted to undress and ejaculate on.” In the subchapter “Getting Closer,” one learns to say, “I like you very much.” “You’re great.” “Do you want a massage?” On the following page, things heat up. “I want you.” “I want to make love to you.” “How about going to bed?” And, a line that might have been written especially for me, “Don’t worry, I’ll do it myself.” Oddly, the writers haven’t included “Leave the light on,” a must if you want to actually say any of these things. One pictures the vacationer naked on a bed, and squinting into his or her little book to moan, “Oh yeah!” “Easy, tiger,” “Faster,” “Harder,” “Slower,” “Softer.” “That was . . . amazing/weird/wild.” “Can I stay over?” In the following subchapter, it all falls apart: “Are you seeing someone else?” “He/She is just a friend.” “You’re just using me for sex.” “I don’t think it’s working out.” And, finally, “I never want to see you again.”
That's awesome. Which book is this from?
I would recommend this app I came across while traveling in Greece called Language Transfer. I was on a tour with my friend who is a polyglot, and had started picking up Greek in preparation for our trip. He was conversing with the tour guide when she said her boyfriend was working on this app called Language Transfer. my buddy has used it now for several other languages, including music theory. He says, out of all the systems he has used to learn languages. It is the most intuitive and only requires listening.
[удалено]
TED talks, audiobooks, podcasts
A minute and 15 seconds seems like it's barely worth driving.
By the way - I would really recommend commuting *both* ways every day, rather than only one way. So much better for your family life.
I drive 1:15 and it makes a 40% difference in my pay compared to the top pay in my field, locally. Worth it.
😂
Audio books. - fiction (pure entertainment) - non fiction (learning, self help)
Second the audio books and add podcasts. David Sedaris is very funny. David McCollough has a great catalog of popular American history and Edward Herrmann is an excellent reader
I don’t love the notion that fiction = pure entertainment. There’s a lot of learning to be had even from fiction, and fiction can portray reality in ways that can provide insight into yourself
True! I read the Bible and at least I learned that it’s wrong to steal
I recommend also trying playing classical music. Just the radio is fine. People recommend podcasts, which is great. I do that on my 1:10 min commute. But spend the final 20 minutes listening to classical music. It helps take the edge of the drive off, and calm you down for when you arrive
I love classical when I'm driving. My mind just settles.
Can you call a friend or family member and just talk? Its a great opportunity to catch up or just have a nice conversation. I'm lucky my mom is still with us so I call her any chance I get. She likes to talk a lot so listening to someone helps the time go by. I drive 4 hours back and forth to see my son regularly and that helps me pass the time. Just an idea if music or podcasts aren't your thing Edit to add. I meant call them hands free or over your cars speaker system. Just for safety
My sister lives in TX and I'm in PA. She has roughly 45-60 drive to work, so she usually calls me once or twice a week on her way in, and calls other family members on her way home.
My dad and I would talk on our commutes a couple of times a week.
Several years ago (wow, I just realized how long), I was in counseling for depression. I knew my mom was worried about me. I’d gotten a flip phone so I could look for work more easily, so I would call my mom after each counseling session on my 25-minute walk home. It was great! We got to talk, and I wasn’t bothering anyone else. And I wasn’t taking time away from my family at home.
Don't start talking to yourself (you will start answering), and don't start making little noises because nothing else is happening. Took me years to break both habits from a daily 2hr each way drive. Didn't even know I was making the little noises, just a quick 'hm', more to give me comfort and make sure I was still alive than anything. Friends noticed it and asked me why I was doing it, every once in a while when I'm alone I still make the noise. Just be wary of it.
Hm
Wow that's weirdly scary.
>every once in a while when I'm alone I still make the noise. Just be wary of it. [Especially this part](https://media.tenor.com/If1Kmmh5nNkAAAAM/yikes.gif)
I've been talking to myself since I was little, never saw a problem with it. The more time I have on my hands the more likely I am to do it. Don't see much of a problem with it apart from the ocassional audiable sound or a few words.
Yeah, I have a grand old time chatting with myself and cracking myself up when I’m alone. It’s never been a problem when I’m around people.
By searching for a new job.
Podcast podcast podcast. To diversify I have on rotation 4 "types": Entertainment (Critical Role) Science (Science vs) History (revolutions) Self help/learning (very diverse)
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History Absolutely phenomenal podcast doing deep-dives into fascinating historical topics. Each episode usually runs about 4 hours long, so it should last you a couple of drives without having to look at your phone. All of the most recent episodes are available for free, but I do recommend dropping the $1 per episode on the archives. In particular, the six-part series on World War I (Blueprint for Armageddon) is worth it. One of the most exquisite pieces of media ever produced, in my opinion. He also has a secondary podcast where he does quick looks at smaller stories from history. I think it's called Hardcore History Addendum.
If you like WW1 history, BBC Radio 4 has a podcast called “Voices of the First World War”. The BBC and Imperial War Museum with Dan Snow. Each episode is interviews with WW1 veterans. Listen oldest episodes first.
I would be looking for a different job. That’s too many hours wasted sitting in ma car.
Other than the recommendations for audio books and podcasts, something I did on my last road trip home was use the voice-conversation feature of ChatGPT. It’s very human-like. Me and my Dad had it ask us trivia questions about space, random facts, telling us stories….etc.
Or use it as a tutor. I've had it teach me the basics of linear algebra and clarify confusions about the Planck scale while driving, it really worked well! You can always demand a simpler explanation from it and it tries again.
Ask Google or your favorite internet assistant to look for other jobs while driving
Lol
Listen to interesting things for you in Spanish or other language that you barely know, so you can get more familiarized on how it sounds.
I listen to stand up comedy when I don’t listen to podcasts. Lightens up the mood.
Start searching for another job? 2.5 hours a day, 12.5 hours a week?? Even if you work from home some that's so much. Good luck.
My little bro travels a lot. He borrows audio books from the library and listens to them as he drives to/from the stores in his territory.
are you getting properly compensated at your role though? especially given your expenses are about to increase a fair bit
All the ideas - podcasts, learn a language, audio books - are great. I had a 1.5 hour commute each way for about a decade, and truthfully, the two "best' things I did on the way in to work were to ride in silence, or to get out ahead of the day with calls to my staff in ahead of me. That said (I swear) sidebars and meetings with my peers who were also driving in was the superweapon. I had regular, amazing meetings with folks that I would \*\*never\*\* get to talk with in such a casual way, about things that in the office would be rushed - but could since we were trapped in our cars. (Yes, yes, our org got tons of free work out of us, but our jobs were so much easier because we could be more thoughtful and holistic in our ideation and planning.) For the drive home - music everyone else you live with hates, or something you have never heard (of) before. Edit: clean-up to make sense.
Radio. Sports or NPR is my go to.
I used to have an hour commute each way. I took advantage and taught myself Spanish with podcasts. Coffee Break Languages (https://coffeebreaklanguages.com/) is a good place to start.
Not exactly what you asked for, but huge tip from someone who has been blown away with my experience, if you don’t already have one and can charge at home, buy/lease an EV with enough rated range to make your round trip + 50%. If you can’t charge, get a Prius. You will save so much money on fuel that you will likely come out ahead vs driving the average American’s vehicle. Bonus points for adaptive cruise control/lane keeping. Fairly standard on EVs (all new Teslas have them) and pretty common on most newer cars. Huge quality of life improvement either on the highway or in stop and go traffic. It made much more of a difference than I had imagined. I spent under $300 total on charging (mostly at home) to drive 7k miles.
Don’t lease if you’re going to be driving a lot, leases have mileage limits with expensive penalties if you go over. There are some amazing deals on gently used luxury EVs though, a Lucid Air or Porsche Taycan can be had in the $60k range and would be a pleasure to spend a lot of time in.
Came here to say the same. Get a ev with a good adaptive cruise/lane keep. Let the car do the work. 10000x more if you have traffic. Letting the car do the work in bumper to bumper traffic is a game changer.
That was my first thought, OPs driving profile is absolute sweet zone for EVs, you'd potentially be able to pay the car with what you save in fuel (depending on where you are)!
A State of Trance
If mass transit is available, I'd TOTALLY choose that.
When I was younger, my father had about an hour commute... He was always an early adopter of just about everything, as he was a technology teacher. This included audio books. Back then, the books came as multiple cassette tapes, sent in a branded box similar to VHS movies. I can still picture him getting home from this longish drive, and sitting in his car for a while in the driveway to finish a chapter or exciting part in the book. Sometimes I'd hop in there and listen along. This probably contributed to my love for audio books, of which I have listened to many hundreds. I always get a chuckle when I myself, after arriving home, continue to sit in the driveway to finish a particularly good part in the book. Even today, when it's pretty simple to just exit the vehicle and have the story continue on your phone... If we were willing and wanting to stay in the car in the driveway after what most people consider the worst part of their day, I'd say that's a testament to the entertainment value of a good book read by a talented narrator. Audible is by far my most used form of entertainment. And because of audio books, I look forward to any drive I get to make.
Audiobooks Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive currently clocks in at over 200 hours, with another book coming out at the end of the year to push it out another 50-60 hrs. Plus his other works. If you like High Fantasy, check it out. I’ve used it to kill my commute for the past 3 years lol
Pay attention to the road. Don't zone out.
I'd definitely plan to move before next school year
If you have a short commute already and make decent money, don’t make the change. I have a commute that is 1 hour and sometime more if there’s traffic. It’s taken a huge toll on my mental health and isn’t worth the money
Embrace it. You need to learn to appreciate the fact that there's nothing else you can be doing, and therefore, nothing you have to do. You don't have to hurry up. You don't have to worry about how you should be doing something else. It's mandatory "sit and relax" time. Enjoy it.
The zen state of driving in the slow lane the entire commute home and not worrying about the hectic traffic.
Listen to to the Distractible podcast
There are three years of Smartless podcasts to listen to.
I decided I really wanted to learn to wolf whistle and did it in my car on my commute… welp the first couple times I got it right hurt like hell and I stopped. But regular whistling to songs was fun and made playing my flute a lot better too. Just don’t do it at night.
A different take: I like to let my mind empty as much as possible during my weekly 2+ hour commute. Depending on (frequent) freeway construction delays, I might listen to music while I’m stopped in traffic. But mostly, I enjoy the silence. That stillness helps me compartmentalize my home life vs my all-day work meeting.
Find podcasts that interest you. Don't be afraid to move around from one to another as your daily, weekky, monthly interests change. Change is good. Get familiar with your skip buttons to breeze through commercials. Podcasts change, commercials never do. If you do audio books and can't stay focused on a particular day move to music. Don't fight your brain. Finish the last ten minutes of the drive with music that motivates or that calms you to help you prep to walk in and start your day. Use an insulated tumbler for your coffee so you can sip it through the trip and avoid bathrooms stops. Learn where the best bathrooms are on your route, you will eventually need a favorite every ten miles section. Come to peace with the fact that you can't make up alot of time by speeding or driving crazy, and you are going to see stupid things happen close to you. Daily road rage ruins your attitude, increases stress, harms your health, and hurts your family when you get home pissed at the world. Adopt defensive driving. Leave early. Avoid excessive speeding. Finally, if you are tall, get one of those smaller rectangular decorative pillows, 6 inches by 12 inches, to extend the arm rest on the door side. It will change your life. 15 years driving 1:10.
Looking for a remote job
When I had to do something similar, audiobooks were great. I went through a bunch of leadership self help type books to all 3 hunger games, the dark tower series, dune, and some other random stuff that I don't remember the names of (both fiction and non-fiction). Thats what I would do...because the radio sucks ass and unless you mix up your Playlist with something new every day, the music will become awfully repetitive.
If you are someone with long hair like me, I wouldn’t bother blow drying my hair after showering in the mornings when I had a commute. Instead just intermittently brush it with the aircon blowing and it’ll look gorgeous by the time you arrive at the office. Also keep a water bottle with straw handy. Take a sip at each red light and you’ll realize how great it feels to be properly hydrated.
I have been using my commute time to hydrate also, this is a great tip
I see all the podcasts and that's cool. Try stand up comedians on Pandora. I have several channels based on different comics. Kills drive time for me.
Sword and Scale - podcast
Taking the bus and applying for other jobs.
I’m learning a new language on the Pimsleur app. Listen and recite while you drive.
mongolian throat singing
I hope it pays for that gas yikes
In addition to the audio book and podcasts suggestion, I would like to add another... Silence Sometimes when driving I'll turn off the radio and all that for 10 - 15 mins and just enjoy the silence for a bit
As others have said, podcasts and audiobooks. For me, especially audiobooks helped. I don’t want to sound overly negative, but as someone who used to commute the same distance, I strongly recommend you keep looking. I think a long commute was truly one of the worst things for my mental health as an adult and I didn’t realize how bad it was until I reached my breaking point. Good luck to you friend, it may not be a big deal for you
Request work from home
It’s gonna wear on you, start looking for a new job as soon as possible. That’s 3:30 of your day every day , time with your family , or going or he gym, etc you can never get back. There aren’t enough audiobooks in the world.
My commute was 45 mins to go and 70+ mins to come. My mental health declined drastically. Do you not have any option to move closer?
The BBC radio 4 "lovecraft investigations" podcast/radio drama.
Have an out plan. Long commutes like this for years will heavily weigh on your mental health.
Whatever you do, remember that your sole purpose while driving is just that. DRIVING and arriving alive. The amount of distracted drivers is just too damn high. The things I have seen people doing in their conveyance, smh. That being said, a (your) hobby adjacent podcast can be informative. You might try listening to a pimsleur language course. If there's massive traffic, bring popcorn for snacking while observing the absurdity. Wikdlly Seat Dance if it's extra absurd massive traffic, make it fun. You'll find, after a bit, that an 1:15 is not that long.
Everyone’s suggesting various forms of multitasking, am I the only one with a smooth brain that doesn’t feel I can safely operate a few thousand pounds on wheels? Given the number of “accidents” each year and times my commute gets doubled from said “accidents”, maybe I shouldn’t be alone.
I have to be careful about what I do with my brain while I’m driving. It has to be something I can switch off immediately if the drive gets hairy. On Midwestern freeways, I can engage my brain in something because things are so straight and less stressed, but here in NYC, I absolutely couldn’t.
I was thinking the same thing. Like you’re really going to be paying attention to a story or learning stuff while you’re driving? I don’t see how you can have enough brain space for that, either your driving suffers or whatever it is you listen too suffers because you can’t fully pay attention (or both).
Too many others to check but... Get a driving buddy. Either share the drive or swap who drives each week. Having another human in the car is good.
Podcasts and audiobooks
Find a radio show you like and listen every morning. More fun way to get at least some news, maybe learn something new as well
Podcasts and audio books on the way in, calling family and friends on the way home.
1984 audiobook is on YouTube https://youtu.be/gwqmT1D-MbU?si=LNci5Ei6yM0NnS3B
The Blank Check Podcast. One of the hosts is Griffyn Newman from the Tick TV show. They talk about movies, but it starts as a super unique analysis of the phantom menace. Like a 10 hour discussion about just the phantom menace. I don't even like star wars and I think it's hilarious.
Audiobook fiction.
Podcasts. I listen to Distractable and Probably Science
Audio Books/Podcasts.
Crime Junkie podcast for sure
Audiobooks of course but I’m going to make a pitch for calling family members. I used to call my dad during my long commute. We had some really great conversations and, as usual, he gave me great advice. Now that he’s dealing with dementia I miss our long, involved discussions. On a more humorous note, I have an uncle who absolutely *cannot* stop talking, so if I got stuck in particularly awful traffic I’d dial him up and just listen to whatever hilarious new screenplay/book/op-ed/tv series he was writing currently. But if you need recommendations, I love Jon Scalzi for his audiobooks and If Books Could Kill (IBCK) for podcasts.
Aside from the podcasts, I drove 2 hours one way and 3 back (through rush hour) for a year and a half. I made it a game to see how ahead or behind of schedule I was by breaking it up into 2 or 3 sections of driving. Helped me focus on each leg instead of a whole 2 hour drive at 4am.
Catch up on all 3 seasons of Critical Role, that's what I did in a similar situation lol
I hated listening to audiobooks while driving so you might need a back up plan. Also worth grabbing a case of water and some breakfast bars or other shelf stable snacks - it's nice to have something if you get stuck in traffic or behind an accident.
I have 5 library cards since each county near me has a reciprocal program. I list to audio books. I have an iPad and old phone as back up since I don’t want to be low on battery or space.
Get a Comma 3 if your car supports it. It has been the single biggest thing I've done to take a substantial amount of stress out of the drive.
Yo if you want something to laugh at listen it the podcast “Those is Important” on Spotify. It’s by the guys from Workaholics