According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average daily commute one way for U.S. employees is 25.5 minutes. However, for many Houstonians, a 25-minute commute would be a dream.

In fact, according to a study from Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Houston ranks 6th among the 10 most congested cities in the nation. In addition, the average Houstonian wastes 23 gallons of gas sitting in traffic. The study also found that drivers in our area waste more than two days a year on average in traffic congestion, costing nearly $1,100 in lost time and gas.

If you’re one of those workers trying to survive Houston traffic each day, here are some tips for making your commute a little less painful:

Think about timing.

As Houston recruiters, Murray Resources knows that timing is everything, especially when it comes to morning and afternoon traffic. If you were to leave 15 minutes earlier, or later in the morning, would you be able to head off some of the traffic? Traffic tends to go in waves, so leaving just a few minutes earlier can seriously cut down on your commute time. Try leaving your house at different times of the day and check out the traffic patterns so you can optimize your commute.

Use public transportation.

If public transportation is available to you, consider using it. That way you can read, check email or get work done on your commute – making the time you spend traveling to and from work at least somewhat productive. If public transportation isn’t an option, check whether other co-workers live nearby so you can take turns carpooling.

Telecommute one or two days a week.

If you truly have a killer commute – and you’re not willing to or can’t afford to move, find out if you can telecommute one or two days a week. While you’ll certainly want some face time in the office, there may be certain days of the week you know are slower or quieter, and therefore ideal for you to be working from home. You’ll also cut down on your commuting expenses and stress level in the process.

Ask for support.

If you’re married, have kids and pets all vying for your attention the second you walk through the door after a miserable commute, it can be especially stressful. Communicate with your family about how you’d like to be greeted – whether you want immediate hugs or need two minutes to decompress.

Find a job closer to home.

Of course, if your commute is truly onerous – and you really don’t love your job anyway – then it may be the perfect time to polish your resume and start your job search. Now that you know what a long commute is like, you can add “shorter commute” to your list of non-negotiables in a new job.

Need more help in your job search? Contact Murray Resources. As Houston recruiters, we will work to get to know you, your background, skills and personality – all so we can match you with job opportunities that are a terrific fit for you. Contact us today to learn more.