These Florida Commutes Are So Bad, Drivers Would Take A $3,365 Pay Cut To Avoid Them

In fact, when Resume.io polled 3,017 workers, revealing that 59% said they would accept a lower salary from another employer if it significantly reduced their commute.

The survey put that trade-off to workers directly with a hypothetical question: beyond what they already spend on commuting, how much of their annual salary would they be willing to give up to avoid the trip altogether? It turns out, on average, Florida workers would be willing to give up $3,292.

In the Sunshine state, the 3 commutes locals would sacrifice the most salary to avoid were:

#1. I-4 through the Orlando Metro, Orlando: $3,365

For workers traveling on I-4 through Orlando, staying off the road is worth $3,365 in annual salary. The interstate carries commuters alongside tourists, airport traffic and drivers crossing the region, so even a familiar trip can become unpredictable without much warning. A bigger paycheck loses some of its appeal when the route to earn it comes with its own daily suspense.

#2. Palmetto Expressway, SR-826, Miami: $3,292

After allowing for the fuel, maintenance and other costs they would save by driving less, commuters on the Palmetto Expressway said they would still sacrifice $3,292 a year to avoid the route. SR-826 threads through some of Miami’s busiest commercial and residential areas, with major interchanges and constant lane changes keeping drivers alert from one end of the journey to the other. That willingness to pay on top of the direct savings suggests many would value a calmer morning almost as highly as the salary itself.

#3. I-95, Miami/Fort Lauderdale: $3,219

I-95 links two major South Florida employment centers, but heavy traffic, frequent merging and uncertain journey times can make the drive feel like part of the work day itself. Commuters traveling between Miami and Fort Lauderdale said they would give up $3,219 a year to avoid the journey. By the time someone reaches the office, they may already feel they have put in the first hour.

Elsewhere across the country, some of the highest amounts commuters would be prepared to pay included:

Rhode Islanders would be prepared to forgo $6,116 per year to avoid navigating the Route 6/10 Interchange. The interchange brings together several busy routes into Providence, with merging lanes and closely timed exits demanding attention before the workday has even begun. At that price, the home office is not simply more convenient; it starts to look like one of the better-paid locations in the state.

Over in Delaware, once the savings on gas, maintenance, and everyday vehicle wear are set aside, commuters using I-95 through the Wilmington Viaduct said they would still give up $5,261 a year to avoid the route. The highway carries traffic directly through the city, where closely spaced exits and heavy merging can make a short stretch feel surprisingly eventful. It is a substantial sum, but perhaps easier to understand after enough mornings spent watching the same skyline from almost exactly the same spot.

After taking into account the usual costs associated with their commute, Baton Rouge drivers using the I-10 and I-12 Split said they would accept $4,882 less in annual salary to avoid it. The junction divides traffic heading east through Baton Rouge, forcing commuters to choose lanes while vehicles merge and reposition around them. That is almost $5,000 just to avoid navigating the same stressful merge every morning.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, NYC workers said they would miss out on among the highest dollar amounts in the country ($4,850 a year) to avoid using the Cross Bronx Expressway. The route carries a dense mix of local traffic, trucks and drivers crossing the city, so even a relatively short distance can absorb a disproportionate amount of the day. Nearly $5,000 is a steep price for staying home, but then so is spending another year moving across the Bronx one brake light at a time.

Idaho commuters using Chinden Boulevard between Boise and Caldwell said they would give up $4,806 a year to avoid the drive. The route passes through a fast-growing stretch of the Treasure Valley, where expanding communities and steady weekday traffic can make the drive feel longer than the map suggests. Nearly $5,000 is a serious price for a quieter morning, but repeated stop-and-go traffic has a way of changing what feels reasonable.

Nearly Half Have Rejected a Job Because of the Commute

The commute is not simply an inconvenience workers complain about once they have accepted a position. For many, it affects whether they take the job in the first place.

Almost half of respondents, 46%, said they had previously turned down a job because the commute was too long or difficult.

Stress Is the Biggest Price Workers Pay

The cost of commuting is not limited to gas, tolls, and vehicle maintenance. Respondents were also asked which part of their personal lives suffered most because of their commute.

Stress or anxiety was the most common answer, selected by 31% of workers. Less time with family followed at 25%, while 23% said commuting deprived them of sleep.

The remaining personal costs included:

• Less time to exercise: 7%

• A reduced social life: 6%

• Lower job satisfaction: 5%

• Poorer eating habits: 3%

A commute, then, does not simply occupy the minutes between home and work. It can quietly borrow from family time, sleep, exercise and the limited number of hours people have left once the workday is over.

Some workers have experienced more serious consequences. Almost half, 44%, said commuting had negatively affected their physical or mental health.

Workers Will Change Jobs Before They Change Neighborhoods

While most workers would accept a smaller paycheck to shrink their commute, they were far less willing to compromise on where they live. Just 36% said they would move to a less desirable neighborhood if doing so substantially shortened their commute.

For many, changing employers or accepting less money appears preferable to allowing the commute to dictate where they call home.

Workers Want Warning Before Being Called Back

The study also asked how much notice employers should give before increasing mandatory office attendance.

The largest group, 42%, said workers should receive one to two months’ notice. A further 26% believed less than one month’s notice was sufficient.

However, a substantial minority expected considerably more notice:

• 18% wanted between three and five months.

• 9% expected at least six months.

• 5% believed employers should provide at least one year’s notice.

These expectations reflect the practical upheaval that can accompany a return-to-office requirement. Increasing office attendance can affect childcare, housing decisions, transportation costs and daily routines that may have been built around remote or hybrid work.

“Employers may think of the commute as something that happens outside of working hours, but employees don’t necessarily see it that way,” says Amanda Augustine, Resident Career Expert at: https://resume.io and a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC). “A difficult commute can influence whether someone accepts a job in the first place, pursues a promotion, or decides it’s time to look for an opportunity elsewhere.

“The fact that so many workers would accept a lower salary in exchange for a shorter commute shows that compensation isn’t just about the number on your paycheck. Time has value, too. When workers evaluate an opportunity, they’re also considering how many hours they’ll spend getting to and from work, what that commute will cost them, and how much time and energy they’ll have left for the rest of their lives.

“For employers asking people to spend more time in the office, that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone needs to be allowed to work remotely. However, companies should recognize that commuting comes with a very real cost. Employers that offer some degree of flexibility, give employees reasonable notice when attendance requirements change, and are thoughtful about when in-person work is truly necessary will be in a better position to attract and retain talent.”

About resume.io

Resume.io is an online career platform that helps job seekers create professional resumes and cover letters. Through an easy-to-use builder, recruiter-tested templates, and a library of expert guides and real-world examples, resume.io gives people the tools to present their experience clearly and apply for jobs with confidence. The platform is built to make career documents simpler to create, easier to tailor, and more effective in a competitive hiring market. To learn more, visit: https://resume.io.

Amanda Augustine is the Resident Career Expert for resume.io, a career.io company, and its suite of brands: TopResume, TopCV, TopInterview, Resume.ai, and others. As a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC) and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), she has spent more than 20 years helping professionals improve their careers and land the right job sooner.

For more information about the survey, visit: https://resume.io/blog/cost-of-a-commute