- Kiwis spend nearly 9 days per year to commuting.
- Over half say they actually enjoy the time.
- Commutes can be 'productive', says efficiency expert.
A new global study from Auto Trader in the UK shows that being a small country is no impediment to long commuting times for New Zealand. We rank in the top 10 of all nations surveyed, spending more time driving to work than those in the US, United Kingdom and Australia.
The survey quantifies commuting times in annual terms. Auto Trader asked motorists from each country to self-report how much time they spent each day driving to and from work, and cross-referenced it with how many days they travelled to work each week (versus how many hours they worked from home), how many public holidays each country has and each country's annual leave allowance.
South Africa tops the global ranking, with drivers spending over 10 days and 4 hours annually commuting to and from work. India comes in second with 10 days and 1 hour, while Irish commuters rack up 9 days and 14 hours each year.
Globally, commuters clock an average of 8 days, 5 hours and 53 minutes behind the wheel each year, just getting to and from work. NZ, which is placed 8th overall in the rankings, is ahead of that average at 8 days, 16 hours and 34 minutes.
| THE WORLD'S LONGEST COMMUTES | |
| South Africa | 10 days 4 hours 48 minutes |
| India | 10d 1h 55m |
| Ireland | 9d 14h 10m |
| Greece | 9d 4h 48m |
| Poland | 8h 21h 36m |
| Netherlands | 8h 19h 26m |
| Italy | 8h 16h 48m |
| New Zealand | 8h 16h 34m |
| Germany | 8d 9h 36m |
| Canada | 8d 0h 29m |
| Australia | 7h 17h 46m |
| USA | 7d 17h 31m |
| France | 7d 11h 2m |
| UK | 7d 2h, 24m |
| Spain | 6d 18h 43m |
But do we really resent the commute?
The survey found that many drivers actually relish the experience. Over half (53%) of global drivers say they actually enjoy their car-commute.
This is especially the case in South Africa, where 72% find it relaxing. The US returned 57%, while Kiwis were third most-satisfied with the time spent in their vehicles, at 55%.
Globally, 82% say they listen to music, podcasts and audiobooks during their commutes; 47% enjoy the alone-time, while 32% find the physical act of driving to be an enjoyable part of the day.
In contrast, 34% of India's commuters find the drive stressful. Greece and Mexico follow closely, with 30% and 29% respectively.
What frustrates commuters the most
Traffic congestion is the number one complaint for commuters globally: 84%. These frustrations are especially high in India (94%), South Africa (92%), and Portugal (91%).
Beyond gridlock, it’s driver behaviour that also rates highly. Bad driver behaviour is cited by 70% globally as a major dislike, with the highest levels of frustration coming from the UK and the Netherlands (both 76%), followed by France (74%), Germany (73%), and Canada (73%).
When it comes to reliability, drivers in the Netherlands (68%), NZ (66%) and the US (63%) are the most likely to enjoy a commute free from car trouble, all reporting no vehicle issues in the past year.
Drivers in South Africa reported the most unreliable commutes, with a staggering 84% experiencing a car fault that impacted their journey in the past year. India (78%) and Mexico (66%) were also impacted by car faults, followed by Poland (63%) and Italy (60%).
A commute can be productive time, according to an expert
For 30% of commuters, the journey leaves them feeling drained, with nearly two thirds (65%) wishing they felt more productive during their commute.
Auto Trader has partnered with Emily Austen, productivity expert and author of SMARTER: 10 Lessons for a More Productive and Less Stressed Life, who says: “One of the biggest misconceptions about productivity is that it only counts if you’re visibly producing something."
Austen says commuters should rethink how they view this time: “Planning your playlist for the morning means that you are setting an intention for your mood. You’re reducing decision-making and any issues for your commute. Reducing decision-making is productive. Protecting your mood is productive.”
“Productivity on your commute doesn't mean working, in fact the 82% of people who spend their commute time listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks are being productive already."
Or for those who prefer a silent commute: “Find time to be present and grateful for the current experience you are having, rather than thinking about the next 24 hours. If your commute is the only uninterrupted thinking space in your day, that matters and should be enjoyed.”
What would improve your commute?
According to drivers, 65% believe a newer or different car would improve enjoyment. In-car technology (58%) came in second, followed by more comfortable seats (50%) and better fuel efficiency (49%).