Aussies spend more than a week in their cars commuting annually
New research shows how much time Australians spend driving to work each year and why many don’t mind the daily commuteThe News
A study by Autotrader has found motorists worldwide spend an average of eight days, five hours and 53 minutes a year commuting by car, with Aussie drivers faring slightly better at seven days, 17 hours and 46 minutes annually.
The Key Details
- Australians spend almost eight days a year commuting by car
- Global average is eight days, five hours, 53 minutes
- South Africa has the longest commute at 10 days, four hours and 48 minutes
- 53 per cent of drivers globally say they enjoy their commute
- 84 per cent cite traffic congestion as their biggest frustration
The Finer Details
The research surveyed drivers across 17 countries to understand not only how long people spend commuting, but how they feel about it and what improves or worsens the experience.
The study calculated the yearly totals by combining reported daily commute times with working-from-home frequency, public holidays and annual leave allowances.
While Australia sits below the global average, the research shows commuting still accounts for a significant portion of the working year for many drivers.
South Africa recorded the longest annual commuting time of 10 days, four hours and 48 minutes, followed by India (10 days, 1 hour, 55 minutes) and Ireland (9 days, 14 hours, 10 minutes).
New Zealand ranked eighth overall with drivers spending eight days, 16 hours and 34 minutes behind the wheel, while Australia placed 11th, just ahead of the United States.
Despite the time commitment, more than half of respondents said they enjoy their commute; many see the daily drive as personal downtime, with 82 per cent listening to music, podcasts or audiobooks, 47 per cent valuing time alone and 32 per cent simply enjoying the drive.
However, commuting is not stress-free for everyone.
Around 34 per cent of drivers describe their commute as stressful, with traffic congestion the leading source of frustration.
Poor driver behaviour also rates highly, irritating 70 per cent of those surveyed. Vehicle reliability remains a key factor in the commuting experience.
Just 49 per cent of drivers reported completing the past year without a car issue affecting their commute, while the remaining 51 per cent experienced at least one disruption caused by mechanical problems.
The Road Ahead
The study suggests the car itself plays a major role in how the daily commute feels.
According to the research, 65 per cent of motorists believe a newer or different vehicle would improve their commute, with in-car technology, more comfortable seats and better fuel efficiency cited as the most desirable upgrades.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
