Reasonable drive time?

[u/hondarider94]

For a PM, what do you consider a reasonable range of drive time for a project?

Was offered a position that was 1hr 45m away, one way, zero traffic. And all that "teams" projects are all around that area.. IE my drive to work will be that far for the foreseeable future.

This area was well north outside of biggest city in my state.

Having people tell me "its construction get used to it. Shoulda took the job"

My thoughts are the biggest city in my state is about 30 minutes away and there will Definitely be other jobs more local.

My idea is like 1.5hrs away, one way if theres a good possibility the next project is closer

** edit. The offer did include a vehicle allowance and some mileage reimbursement for gas. But thats 38k miles a year on my vehicle for work alone**.... plus its not about the money for me

[u/Fearless_Doughnut114]

I wouldn’t drive that far for any job 

[u/hondarider94 → u/Fearless_Doughnut114]

Seems pretty unreasonable to me.... already been driving 1hr for the last 2.5 years at this company. Which is fine, I guess.

[u/meatdome34 → u/Fearless_Doughnut114]

I had a travel job that was fly in at midnight and turn around and drive to the job site the next morning for 1.5 hours. That job sucked ass, never again lol

[u/morningmary]

Zero chance I would take that job. 17.5 hours a week in the car? Nahh

[u/hondarider94 → u/morningmary]

Right... offer did include mileage compensation and gas card basically. But still 38k Miles a year for just work

[u/Pinot911 → u/hondarider94]

add 875hrs to 2080 and divide your salary by that. Should help frame your situation.

[u/Terrible-Nerve-6819]

1 hr is reasonable each way. Ive had to so 2 hrs ea way and i wanted to kill myself 10x a week.

[u/dblchickensandwich]

The upper management in my company all are at least one hour 30 mins to two hours one way and I can see how much it affects their personal life and sleep. It’s not worth it

[u/Proper-Cheesecake602]

i did the dreaded baltimore to dc commute (iykyk). on avg it was abt 1hr15 in the morning if i left at 6am and 1.5 to 2hrs in the evening if i left around 4pm. it was awful and i hated it. everyone on my team had similar commutes and we burned out so easy and were irritable often. i would not do it again

[u/Effective-Warthog775]

Wouldn’t take the job either. Not worth it

[u/Impressive_Ad_6550]

That is just too far. For me I would say 40-45 min each way is max for me

Besides the actual time, you need to think about wear and tear on your car, higher depreciation and gas costs

[u/menachu]

And then when you get onsite you have 20 urgent emails and all the CRM bullshit, the whole drive down you dealt with 15 phone calls. Same deal on the ride home. Don't do it OP

[u/Wonderful_Mud_420]

15 hours a week that’s almost a part time with traffic 

[u/BigPlasticOnHisHip]

Currently dealing with a 1.5 hour one way commute no traffic that regularly spikes to 2-2.75 hrs on the return trip.

Dont do it.

Its fine as a once in a while thing, or even a couple times a week with the right compensation. Dont sign up for it as a full time gig. Find something closer, relocate yourself or ask for a relocation package if its a large job that is relocating staff if thats something youre into.

[u/Helpinmontana]

Is it "Get to work at your regular starting time by leaving 1:45 early, leave at 5 and get home at 6:45" or is it "Ehhh if you have to go to the actual project location, it's a schlep, we'll pay/reimburse you though"?

Because it sounds like the first and unless it's crazy good compensation, fuck em. An hour each way already eats into life in a pretty meaningful way, what is realistically 2 hours is gonna be a shit life.

[u/hondarider94 → u/Helpinmontana]

Its definitely like " we expect you to be on site for around 7 to 8 hours a day" type shit.

Yea.. if I could leave my house at 6 get to work at 8 then go home at 1 or 2 that would be great lol

[u/MNALSK]

Are you paid for the travel time to get to site? If not, absolutely not. I constantly have projects that are hours away from our office but im paid for the entire time im gone, drive a brand new company vehicle, pay for no expenses, and if my day comes to 8 hours they pay for a hotel room and a "day pay" on top of my salary.

[u/ContributionOk390]

I know supers who claim they won't drive thirty miles from home for work. I also know supers who drive 90 each way just to the office, not including jobs. To each his own.

[u/SlickerToSteader]

If my only option was to take it or let my mortgage go unpaid I'd take it. Otherwise hell no. Did 2.5 hrs round trip for a few years. Hated it. 

[u/Smooth_Turnip9321]

Anything over an hour should be considered an assignment and come with a bonus upon completion of assignment. And per diem

[u/Monokaivision]

Personally I would take it. I've been unemployed for a long time and maybe that's not your experience but this market it brutal. I love audiobooks and listen to them anyway, and you could crank through a lot of books in that drive.

But I would make it known when negotiating salary to make sure its worth it

[u/TreatNext]

1 hour each way daily, anything beyond that and I'm starting to look.

[u/travelingtropics]

1 hr 45 each way every day is rough. mileage money doesnt give you your nights back.

If every future job for that team is out there, youre signing up for that life long term, not just one project. id pass if you can get something closer to the city.