Driving farther to work?

[flyboyron]

I drive through a city called San Bernardino everyday. I have clients on one end of town and some on the other.

 

The roads are so bad, I am always dodging pot holes and rough areas.

 

One day I was riding my Harley through town and I bottomed out the suspension 3 times.

So I said enough of that.

I decided instead of going straight across town each day, I would go about a mile to the west and take the freeway and take it all the way around the city to the other side where I need to go. i think I add an extra 3 - 4 miles each way doing that but the freeway is a lot smoother than going through the city. I guess I am adding an extra 35 miles on my truck each week.

I also noticed I am getting at least 2 mpg better mileage each time when I fill up.

 

I haven't figured the math but it looks like it evens out cost wise, and it actually takes the same amout of time to drive the farther distance since I can go faster.

 

It does make for a nicer ride, no pot holes, and stop lights, so I guess I don't mind.

 

So is this something you would consider doing if you were in the same situation, or would you continue to drive the most direct route?

 

 

[darkfox1]

Road quality and traffic quality are a big part of your "sanity." If that makes sense.

 

Sometimes I drive 140-200 miles a day for work, other times I don't have to go anywhere.

 

The most important thing when you're driving a LOT for work is being able to do it for many many years without becoming frustrated with it. I used to drive a road here in atlanta that would take me sometimes 2-2.5 hours to go 18 miles and after 5 years of that I was ready to quit my job.

 

I say its worth it, even if its a longer drive, even if it costs you a little bit more money and wear and tear, your nerves will be better as will your stress levels if you take the path that doesn't frustrate you as much. Be it because of traffic, or potholes.

[Imcrazy]

I take the easiest route to work, it adds a minute or two. I have enough headaches in life why add any others I can avoid.

[00Silverado4x4]

I've ran into that same scenario, used to live on one end of town and work on the other. Yes, absolutely worth taking the longer way. Yes it was more mileage for me too, but got better mpg's, less frustration with other drivers and dealing with lumpy, bumpy, surface streets. Also when I used to live in Delaware would take the back roads vs driving straight through town for the same reason there too.

 

In short, too late, go for it, you and truck (and especially the motorcycle) will be much happier.

[Babyhauler]

Longer is easier so many times to jobs, dodging school zones or on vacation, especially pulling a trailer. Also to keep from motocrossing with your Harley.

 

For everyone, make sure to keep a daily mileage logbook for work miles. Apprx. 50 cent per mile deduction for miles visiting customers. You can't deduct commuter miles to & from work.

20,000 miles a year = a $10,000 income deduction if you qualify for it. Logbook also gives me a place for mpg's & compare w past mpg if seems to drop any.

Sorry to hijack, but so many people don't take advantage of this.

[00Silverado4x4]

I wish I got paid for the miles I've driven to work...when I lived in Alaska I was driving 100 miles a day, minimum.

[flyboyron]

Yea, I do that. I don't have a log book, but use the Excel program in my computer to keep track of date, the mileage, where to, and the reason for the trip.

 

My wife has her own business, and I do the same thing for her....and if she gets supplies on her lunch break, I can only count the miles from her work to the supply store and back to work....sometimes it is only 1 or 2 miles...but it all counts.

 

Anyway....I think I could be saving wear and tear on my truck driving the freeway instead of driving on these streets and wearing out the suspension, and who knows what else.

[Ventilator]

I avoid city driving at all costs.

 

Your truck, bike, sanity will all be better for it.

[SarahsGMC]

I take roads with less people especially in winter. I trust my driving. Not other peoples.

[Test Alpha]

I drive over 70 miles one way to work, It's worth the drive to live in the country!

 

Forgot to add, I only have two stop lights in that 70 miles, so my idea of city driving is probably a little different from most on here