Work commute

Rye93_2

Hi,

Sorry if i've posted this in the wrong category. I just wanted to ask what people may think is a reasonable commute to work driving?

I have a job interview tomorrow and fingers crossed, I'm succesful. I'm looking to move to Crook in County Durham and the job is in Newcastle. From my understanding, this is around a 40 minute drive each way according to google maps, but I understand traffic and road works etc can change this. 

I just wanted to ask if this is average or not really? Also, has anyone had any experience on travelling this route? The quickest I can find is the A1.

Any help would be great.  

Thanks

custardy

40 minutes isnt a massive commute.

Grumpy_chap

40 minutes each way is very reasonable.

neilmcl

I agree, 40 minutes is fine, I wouldn't consider anything under an hour each way that much of a commute.

born_again

A1 (often a bottleneck due to accidents/roadworks) & Newcastle. I think 40 mins is the minimum time you are looking at. Especially if traffic gets back to near pre covid limits.

My commute (15 miles) across a main city was 30 mins on the way (early morning) on the way home (16 to 17:30) was between 1 & 2 hours... So factor in time of day when checking google for time. Perhaps do it at various times of day and see how it varies as google is pretty good at traffic delays.

Grabs39

If it's at peak times then Nevilles Cross and the Western Bypass will both be gridlocked after COVID (Assuming traffic returns to normal).  Then the approach to Newcastle will be very bad.  Sorry but that's not a 40 minute journey in pre-covid travel times, more like double that.

I know people who commute from Crook to Gateshead but it takes over an hour.

Also worth mentioning is the Newcastle Clean Air Zone.  The car lobbyists won last time, but I'd guess tolls will be put on the bridges eventually.

williamgriffin

I never used to use the A1 for that journey and went B6301 A6076 instead. 

Herzlos

Depends on what else you want to do with your life and how you feel about commuting.
I've always commuted about an hour each way so that seems normal to me, but I know people who moan about a 20 minute commute and others who have a 2 hour commute.
I'd recommend looking at public transport options too; it's way better to spend 50 minutes on a train with a book than 40 minutes in a car.

Grabs39

Herzlos said:

I'd recommend looking at public transport options too; it's way better to spend 50 minutes on a train with a book than 40 minutes in a car.

No trains - Beeching saw to that.

Either X46 to Durham then X12 to Newcastle which will take abound one and a half hours, or X46 to Durham, walk up the hill then get the train, which will take just over an hour in total (and be pricey but arguably not against the petrol and wear and tear of driving it).  Bus then train option will be just over an hour.

AdrianC

"Average" and "what other people do" are irrelevant. The question is whether YOU will find it too much.

Personally, I prefer a car commute to a train one. Other people prefer train to car.

Round London, hour and a half each way is not exceptional. I've worked in central London with people who've commuted in from the edge of Brum, from Swindon, from Lincolnshire. Every day.

Biggus_Dickus

OP,

40 mins for that journey at peak times seems very  optimistic,...but probably do’able during quieter periods.

When things get back to ‘normal’ perhaps rush-hour traffic will be easier because many people will continue working at/from home on a permanent basis rather than all fighting to get into the office by 08.00am,...I’d like to think so anyway.

You don’t mention the type of work you do but could the new job have scope for working at home,... even a couple of days a week could make all the difference. Flexi-time, if available, could perhaps ease things a bit. Lengthy and unpredictable commutes during rush-hour can become soul-destroying.

I gave up the rush-hour commute to my city centre office 20 odd years ago just as soon the technology was good enough to allow it. I worked from/at home;...from a business and financial aspect it was the best thing I ever did.

Good luck  and remember the old adage...”the most important thing you can wear to an interview...is a SMILE!”