Mileage worry

[Woods22250]

Thanks for all of the comments. They are all very much appreciated. I have crunched numbers considered all of the above comments. Luckily, I will not have to pay for fuel or it wouldn't be a deal.

Sponsored

 

[fordtruckman2003]

Considering a job with traveling too but it shouldn't be daily. My only concerns are with maintenance costs and I bought ESP with my normal low mileage use in mind. Waiting to get details on any travel compensation.

Lot of good comments on thread long drives can wear you down. Maintenance can get expensive.

If it comes down to doing a job you enjoy that happens to be a lot of driving, then it would likely be worth it in my view. Driving a long way just for a paycheck isn't as attractive.

 

[Buyer2021]

I have crunched numbers considered all of the above comments. Luckily, I will not have to pay for fuel or it wouldn't be a deal.

That implies a financial calculation, which is a good start. Suggest you also do a calculation based on time, your daily schedule both on and off work, and a realistic estimate of your energy level through a week along with consideration of impact on relationships / family as applicable.

Yeah, I realize work income is a necessity, but it isn't (or shouldn't be, IMO) always about the dollars.

In my engineering on-site management career I pulled a 7-month stint away from home for one project operating on a 7/10 schedule and a 3-year stint commuting by air with 5-days / 4-nights each week away from home on a project that operated 24/7/365; lots of more occasional travel in between those particular assignments, commuting by driving and flying. All of this before 9/11/2001 when flying was a quick and efficient proposition. ​

​

All professionally challenging and stimulating work I greatly enjoyed with decent (but not exorbitant) 'compensation and perks'. I survived (usually even thrived), my 20+ year marriage did not. I'm very happy in my retirement since 2008 at age 55, financially comfortable but by no means wealthy; I did not take the highest available income path in my career. A few regrets but nothing major I would really wish to change in hindsight - we all make our own choices.​

​

One can never say "never" but I don't think I would have undertaken a 200-mile daily driving commute for any project.​

Sincerely wishing you the best of luck and life.

 

[SRMD]

I did a similar length commute for 2.5 years. Offered me a crap ton more money, so I did it. From experience, it really depends on ur situation and how long you think you will have to do it. It is not sustainable long term.

some things to consider:
1. Are you single (I.e. no family). For me, I was and the $25K additional income 1993 was worth it.
2. Do you live in a high traffic area? I was commuting from Maryland to Nothern Virginia. Traffic was brutal. If a high traffic area, are their alternate routes. I found a longer (120mi each way) route, but had no traffic and less stress. It was worth it to me.
3. If you will be commuting in high traffic area, keep a change of clothes and emergency kit in your truck. Expect there to be accidents, bad weather, etc, where you will need to spend the night in a hotel. I had to do this several times during my tenure in that job.

 

[SRMD]

I did a similar length commute for 2.5 years. Offered me a crap ton more money, so I did it. From experience, it really depends on ur situation and how long you think you will have to do it. It is not sustainable long term.

some things to consider:
1. Are you single (I.e. no family). For me, I was and the $25K additional income 1993 was worth it.
2. Do you live in a high traffic area? I was commuting from Maryland to Nothern Virginia. Traffic was brutal. If a high traffic area, are their alternate routes. I found a longer (120mi each way) route, but had no traffic and less stress. It was worth it to me.
3. If you will be commuting in high traffic area, keep a change of clothes and emergency kit in your truck. Expect there to be accidents, bad weather, etc, where you will need to spend the night in a hotel. I had to do this several times during my tenure in that job.

Also, make sure you have an understanding boss. Sh*t does and will happen on a commute that long over a period of time. I bought a Startac (grey flip phone for u old guys), and called my boss several times saying that I am stuck in traffic due to an accident and I would be turning around and going back home at the first opportunity. My boss understood my situation, he was cool with it, so it made that job/commute bearable knowing that I had an out if the commute turned to crap.

Also, the people I worked with were great, being a single guy, many of my co-workers wives would offer me to come over for dinner on Fridays so that traffic had an opportunity to settle down before I headed home. That and a gym membership near my work helped me manage that traffic of DC/No.VA.

just some other thoughts.

Sponsored