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This Is the Perfect Commute Length for Your Happiness, According to Science

A survey of 2,000 commuters suggests that shorter trips leave workers feeling more relaxed, while longer journeys can increase stress.

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Nothing makes you question your life choices quite like sitting in traffic at 7:30 a.m., knowing you’ve still got eight hours of work ahead of you. Plus the drive home. 

A new Chase survey of 2,000 British commuters found that 29 minutes was the sweet spot for arriving at work feeling relaxed. The people who were happiest with their commutes usually drove themselves and listened to music. But once the trip hit 45 minutes, stress took over, and people were in a bad mood before they even clocked in. 

Americans are close to that half-hour mark. According to 2024 Census data, the average one-way commute in the US was 27.2 minutes. New Yorkers had the longest at 33.2 minutes, while people in North........

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