My commute is 35 miles each way. That's 70 miles a day, 350 miles a week. My truck gets 20 mpg on a good day. Gas is hovering around $3.20.
I did the math: roughly $420/month just in gas. That's before oil changes, tire wear, and the hours of my life spent in traffic.
I've looked into carpooling but nobody from my area works near me. Considered an EV but the upfront cost kills the savings for years.
How are other long-distance commuters handling this?
Got a used Prius for my commute. $14K and it gets 50mpg. My gas bill went from $380 to $140. Best financial decision I've made in years. I still have the truck for weekends.
Costco or Sam's gas is consistently 15-20 cents cheaper per gallon. Over a month that saves me $25-30. The membership pays for itself just in gas.
The toll roads add up too. My commute is technically 10 minutes faster on the tollway but costs $8/day. That's another $160/month. I take the free road now and listen to podcasts.
If your employer offers any kind of remote days, negotiate hard. Even 2 days from home cuts your gas bill 40% and adds years to your car's life.
I switched from a truck to a sedan specifically because of gas costs. Went from $400/month to $180/month. I miss the truck but I don't miss being broke.