If you have to face a grueling commute to work every morning, it can feel like you’re starting your day totally wrong. Having to deal with tons of morning traffic when you’ve just gotten up can negatively affect your attitude about the day ahead. Here are a few things that you can do to take some of the stress out of your morning and commute like a true road warrior.
1. Get a Dependable Vehicle That You Love To Drive
When you’re really happy with your vehicle, all the time that you spend getting to work can be a whole lot more enjoyable. Of course, you probably won’t ever want to be on the road for any extended period of time during peak traffic. Nevertheless, being in a car that you absolutely love puts at least part of your commute back on your terms.
If your car has lost some of its performance after tens or hundreds of thousands of miles commuting, it may be time for an upgrade. First and foremost, you want a vehicle that’s dependable and drives great. You certainly don’t want to have to worry about whether your car will start or your transmission will hold up every time that you go to start your ignition. Moreover, you’d like to know that your vehicle is safe and roadworthy when you’re driving in heavy traffic or contending with inclement weather.
For the best safety ratings and performance, opt a new vehicle. Purchasing a new vehicle with financing is probably going to be a better value than a pricey lease. If you decide on a used vehicle, shop competitively be sure to check the vehicle history report.
Consider using a car buying service to locate the best options for sale in your area. With help from a professional buying service provider, you can hold out for a car that has everything on your wishlist instead of something that you’re just moderately enthused about.
2. Be Fuel Efficient
One of the worst parts about a long commute to work is that it depletes your earnings. Gas prices have vacillated substantially over the past couple of years, but you can’t expect much relief anytime soon. Fuel is likely to become increasingly costly, and having to fill up your tank frequently can represent a growing strain on your finances.
Make fuel efficiency one of your most important criteria when you’re choosing a vehicle. If you go back and forth to work everyday in a huge SUV or truck but you don’t really need such a large vehicle, you’ll spend much more on fuel than you need to. Moreover, oversized gas guzzlers are hardly eco-friendly.
Invest in a fuel-efficient, hybrid car. As fuel prices climb and the climate crisis intensifies over the next several years, these vehicles are likely to retain their value much better than SUVs.
3. Use an App To Find the Best Ways Around Traffic
The fastest way to work won’t necessarily be the same everyday. Your local transportation department might offer updates on traffic conditions and road work that could spare you from being stuck in a bumper-to-bumper standstill. However, the very best way to get real-time information about traffic is to use a navigation app that factors in traffic. Check out the most popular navigation apps and pick one that’s easy to operate. Trying to work with a complicated app while you’re driving can be a dangerous distraction.
The best apps give you more than one option for your route and estimate the time of your arrival. As you’re on your way, the arrival time that the app should update. In trafficky conditions, reassurance that you can expect to pull up to work on schedule will make your drive feel like smooth sailing instead of a frantic trek.
When you walk into work, you want to be well-rested and ready to put forth your best effort. You don’t want to be burned out before you’ve even clocked in because getting to work feels like an arduous, uphill battle. A few simple but calculated measures to make your drive to work more manageable can help you take charge of your morning and get your day off to a great start.
